Sparwood backyard chickens, bees and livestock rules
Can I keep chickens, bees, or other livestock in Sparwood?
Short answer
Sparwood permits urban hens in one-family residential zones with a permit. The application includes consent from adjoining neighbours. Confirm your zone before making plans for a coop.
Key facts
| Hens allowed | Permitted in one-family residential zones with a permit. Multi-family and mobile home park lots are excluded.Animals & Pets, Urban Hens · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09Official wordingUrban Hens, are permitted in areas zoned as one-family residential. Residents that are interested in keeping hens must apply for a permit which includes obtaining consent from adjoining neighbours, and getting approval for their hen enclosure and coop. Permits must be renewed annually. Hens are not permitted on multi-family or mobile home park lots. Up to five hens may be kept, roosters and other types of poultry are NOT permitted. |
|---|---|
| Most hens | Up to five urban hens aged four months or older per person or household, except as part of a kennel or pound.Animal Control Bylaw 1289, 2021, PDF p. 4 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09Official wording3.3. No Person or household shall Keep more than five (5) Urban Hens, except as part of the operation of a Kennel or Pound. Urban Hens will not count toward this limitation until they reach four (4) months of age. |
| Roosters | Roosters and other types of poultry are prohibited under the urban hen rules.Animals & Pets, Urban Hens · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09Official wordingPermits must be renewed annually. Hens are not permitted on multi-family or mobile home park lots. Up to five hens may be kept, roosters and other types of poultry are NOT permitted. |
| Coop rules | Keep hens in a secured rear-yard enclosure and secure them inside the coop from sunset to sunrise. The coop must meet accessory-building zoning rules.Animal Control Bylaw 1289, 2021, PDF p. 7 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09Official wording(d) The Urban Hens are Kept in a secured Chicken Enclosure at all times and secured within a Coop from sunset to sunrise; (e) The Coops, which are considered accessory buildings, are in compliance with this Bylaw and the accessory building regulations in the Zoning Bylaw; (f) Chicken Enclosures and Coops are located in the rear yard as defined in the Zoning Bylaw; |
| Permit or registration | Submit a site plan and written support from all adjoining property owners. Renew annually with written support from all adjoining owners. In 2026 the permit is $30 and renewal is $15.Animal Control Bylaw 1289, 2021, PDF p. 6; Fees and Charges Bylaw 1322, 2023, Schedule C, PDF p. 6 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09Official wording5.2. Urban Hen permit applications must include the following: • a site plan identifying Hen Enclosure and Coop dimensions, other structure s, and identified setbacks; • the permit fee, as per the applicable schedule in the Fees and Charges Bylaw 1322, 2023 as amended from time to time; and • written proof of support of all contiguous property owners at the time of permit application. 5.3. Urban Hen permits must be renewed annually. Renewal applications must include the following: • the permit renewal fee, as per the applicable schedule in the Fees and Charges Bylaw 1322, 2023 as amended from time to time; • written proof of support of all contiguous property owners at the time of permit renewal application. Dog Owner Licencing 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 Urban Hen Owner Permitting Application permit fee $ 30.00 $32.00 $32.00 $32.00 $35.00 Annual permit renewal fee $ 15.00 $17.00 $17.00 $17.00 $20.00 |
| Bees | The District lists agriculture as the zoning category where bees may be kept.Animals & Pets, Keeping bees · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09Official wordingThe keeping of bees is only permitted within Agricultural zones. |
| Other livestock | Not confirmed. Checked Animals & Pets: District of Sparwood, B.C., Zoning Bylaw No. 264, 1981; not found there. |
| Bylaw | Animal Control Bylaw No. 1289, 2021, Parts 3 and 5.Animal Control Bylaw 1289, 2021, PDF p. 2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09Official wording1.1. This Bylaw may be cited as "Animal Control Bylaw 1289,2021." |
How it works
Start with the property, then plan the flock and the enclosure. The number of birds is only one part of the decision. How the bylaw describes the lot, the type of bird and the location of the coop can all affect a proposal. Keep hens in a secured rear-yard enclosure and secure them inside the coop from sunset to sunrise. The coop must meet accessory-building zoning rules.
Steps
- Check the rules for your flock in Animals & Pets. Find the property's zone and draw the proposed coop and run in relation to the home, neighbouring lots and street.
- Identify the number, age and type of birds you plan to keep. Compare those details with the limits below before buying birds or materials.
- Submit a site plan and written support from all adjoining property owners. Renew annually with written support from all adjoining owners. In 2026 the permit is $30 and renewal is $15.
Good to know
- Multi-family and mobile home park lots are excluded.
- The District lists agriculture as the zoning category where bees may be kept.
- Up to five urban hens aged four months or older per person or household, except as part of a kennel or pound.
- For bees or another species, ask about that species by name. A provision covering laying hens does not establish permission to keep every type of poultry or livestock.
- For a question about the proposed number of birds, lot size and coop location, call the Municipal Hall at 250-425-6271.
- Read the applicable provisions in Animal Control Bylaw 1289, 2021 (PDF) and Fees and Charges Bylaw 1322, 2023, Schedule C (PDF).
What you'll need
- Submit a site plan and written support from all adjoining property owners. Renew annually with written support from all adjoining owners. In 2026 the permit is $30 and renewal is $15.
The same question in other places
Fernie · Elkford · Cranbrook · Kimberley · Canal Flats · Invermere
Backyard chicken rules in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Animals & Pets (read 2026-11-09)
- Animal Control Bylaw 1289, 2021 (PDF) (read 2026-11-09)
- Fees and Charges Bylaw 1322, 2023, Schedule C (PDF) (read 2026-11-09)
- Sparwood municipal office contact information (read 2026-11-09)
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.