GovHandbook

Smithers backyard chickens, bees and livestock rules

Can I keep chickens, bees, or other livestock in Smithers?

Smithers, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-06

Short answer

In Smithers you can keep up to 6 hens on a single-family lot over 550 m², in LDR-1 and R-6 zones (and A-1 or R-7 where accessory to agriculture). Flocks must be registered with the Town for $15. Roosters are not allowed. The sources read do not state a bee rule.

Key facts

Hens allowedYes, as an auxiliary use to a single detached dwelling on a lot over 550 m², in the LDR-1 and R-6 zones, and in A-1 or R-7 where accessory to a permitted agricultural use or dwelling (Town's 2026 guide). Bylaw 1780 still names the old R-1, R-2 and P-1 zones. The owner must live there or give written permission.Sources differ: Bylaw 1780 (consolidated Jan. 2020) names zones R-1, R-2, R-6 and P-1 (with R-7 and A-1 'existing'); the Town's web page lists R-1, R-2, R-6, R-7, A-1 and P-1; the 2026 Hen Keeping Guide lists LDR-1, R-6, R-7 and A-1. Zoning Bylaw 1987 (base text) defines 'backyard hen keeping' by reference to Bylaw 1780. Confirm the zone with the Town.Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw No. 1780 (consolidated to January 23, 2020), s. 6-3(a); Backyard Hens, Backyard Hen Keeping; Your Guide to Backyard Hen Keeping, Checklist · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
The keeping of hens for domestic purpose is permitted as an auxiliary use to a
550m2 (5,920
The owner of the property resides on the property where the hens are kept, or
on any lot greater than 550m2 (5,920 ft2) and zoned R-1, R-2, R-6, R-7, A-1 and P-1 Zones
Backyard hen keeping is permitted in the LDR-1 and R-6 zones
Lot size must be greater than 550m2 (5,920 ft2) and zoned LDR-1, R-6, R-7, or A-1 zones
Most hens6 hens on a single-family lot. 12 hens on a P-1 property with a Community Garden. 12 poultry per 0.4 ha of parcel in A-1 or R-7 zones (Agricultural Land Reserve rules apply on ALR land).Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw No. 1780 (consolidated to January 23, 2020), s. 6-3(c); Your Guide to Backyard Hen Keeping, Checklist · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
six (6) hens as an auxiliary use to a detached, single-family dwelling;
twelve (12) hens on a P-1 property in conjunction with a Community Garden;
twelve (12) poultry for each 0.4 ha of parcel area in zones A-1 or R-7.
Agricultural Land Commission (ALC)
RoostersNo. Roosters are prohibited.Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw No. 1780 (consolidated to January 23, 2020), s. 6-3(b) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
obtains written permission from the property owner; b) Roosters are prohibited; c) The keeping of hens is limited to a maximum of:
Coop rulesRun and coop each at least 3.0 m from the house and 1.5 m from the side or rear lot line, at the side or rear. Run fenced and roofed, 1.0 m² per hen. Coop floor 0.5 m² per hen, a 15 cm perch per hen and a nest box per 4 hens.Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw No. 1780 (consolidated to January 23, 2020), s. 6-3(d), (e) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
sited at least 3.0 m (9.84 ft) from the principal building and 1.5 m from the
of sufficient size to provide at least 1.0 m2 (10.76 ft2) of roofed outdoor
allows at least 0.5 m2 (5.3 ft2) of coop floor area per hen; and
Permit or registrationYes. Flocks must be registered with the Town (Schedule C form) for a $15 fee.Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw No. 1780 (consolidated to January 23, 2020), s. 6-3(m); Backyard Hens, Backyard Hen Keeping · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
Backyard hen flocks must be registered for a fee of $15 with the Town of
registration of your Backyard Hen Flock for a $15 fee
BeesNot confirmed. Not found in the official sources that were read.
Other livestockCattle and other farm animals (horses, swine, sheep, goats, mules, donkeys, oxen) may not be kept in the Town except in R-7, A-1 and the Fall Fair Grounds. Poultry, pigeons or doves may not be kept inside a dwelling or business unless the business is licensed for it.Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw No. 1780 (consolidated to January 23, 2020), s. 6-4; Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw No. 1780 (consolidated to January 23, 2020), s. 2.1 "Farm Animal"; Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw No. 1780 (consolidated to January 23, 2020), s. 6-1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
No person shall cause or permit any cattle or farm animals to be kept or harbored
includes: cattle, horses, swine, sheep, goats, mules, donkeys, asses and oxen;
No poultry, pigeons, or doves shall be kept in any part of a
BylawBylaw No. 1780 - Animal Control and Licensing (Section 6, Schedule C); Zoning Bylaw No. 1987Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw No. 1780 (consolidated to January 23, 2020), s. 1.1; Zoning Bylaw No. 1987, Definitions · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
This bylaw may be cited as
Animal Control and Licensing
“backyard hen keeping” means the keeping of hens, as they are defined in Bylaw No. 1780

How it works

Hens are allowed as an auxiliary use to a single detached dwelling on a lot over 550 m², in the LDR-1 and R-6 zones, and in A-1 or R-7 where accessory to a permitted agricultural use or dwelling (per the Town's October 2026 hen keeping guide). The owner must live there or give written permission. The rules are in the Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw No. 1780 (consolidated to January 23 (section 6, Schedule C) and the Zoning Bylaw No. 1987.

Steps

  1. Check your zone with the Town.
  2. Build a coop and run that meets the rules below.
  3. Register your flock with the Town using the Schedule C form and pay $15.

Good to know

  • Number: up to 6 hens on a single-family lot; 12 on a P-1 lot with a Community Garden; 12 poultry per 0.4 ha in A-1 or R-7 (Agricultural Land Reserve rules apply on ALR land). No roosters.
  • Coop and run: each at least 3.0 m from the house and 1.5 m from the side or rear lot line, at the side or rear. Run fenced and roofed, 1.0 m² per hen. Coop floor 0.5 m² per hen, a 15 cm perch per hen, and a nest box per 4 hens.
  • Bylaw 1780 still names the old R-1, R-2 and P-1 zones, so the sources differ; confirm your zone with the Town.
  • Cattle and other farm animals (horses, swine, sheep, goats, mules, donkeys, oxen) may not be kept except in R-7, A-1 and the Fall Fair Grounds. Poultry, pigeons or doves may not be kept inside a dwelling or business unless the business is licensed for it.
  • Bees: the sources we read do not state a rule. Ask the Town at 250-847-1600.

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

Telkwa · Houston · New Hazelton · Granisle · Terrace · Burns Lake

Backyard chicken rules in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

  1. Backyard Hens, Town of Smithers (read 2026-11-06)
  2. Your Guide to Backyard Hen Keeping (PDF), Town of Smithers (read 2026-11-06)
  3. Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw No. 1780 (consolidated to January 23, 2020), Town of Smithers (read 2026-11-06)
  4. Zoning Bylaw No. 1987, Town of Smithers (read 2026-11-06)

Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 7 of 8 facts was matched to the official text; 1 could not be confirmed. How answers are checked.