Tofino backyard chickens, bees and livestock rules
Can I keep chickens, bees, or other livestock in Tofino?
Short answer
In Tofino, no bylaw we read says whether backyard hens or bees are allowed, or sets a limit. If you keep chickens or bees, the Wildlife Attractant Bylaw requires them to be enclosed by electric fencing built to WildSafeBC guidelines. Ask the District about zoning first.
Key facts
| Hens allowed | Not confirmed. Not found in the official sources that were read. |
|---|---|
| Most hens | None set. No Tofino bylaw read sets a hen limit, rooster rule, or permit or registration. |
| Roosters | None set. No Tofino bylaw read sets a hen limit, rooster rule, or permit or registration. |
| Coop rules | Chickens, coops and pens must be kept reasonably inaccessible to dangerous wildlife, and coops and pens must be enclosed by electric fencing built to WildSafeBC guidelines.Wildlife Attractant Bylaw No. 1317, 2022, s. 4(2)(k), (l) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingchickens, chicken coops, and Pens are kept in such a manner so that they are reasonably inaccessible to Dangerous Wildlife; chicken coops and Pens are enclosed by electric fencing designed and maintained in accordance with the electric fencing guidelines of the WildSafeBC program |
| Permit or registration | None set. No Tofino bylaw read sets a hen limit, rooster rule, or permit or registration. |
| Bees | The bylaws do not say whether beekeeping is allowed. Where bees and beehives are kept, they must not attract dangerous wildlife, must be reasonably inaccessible to it, and must be enclosed by electric fencing built to WildSafeBC guidelines.Wildlife Attractant Bylaw No. 1317, 2022, s. 4(2)(h), (i), (j) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingbees and beehives are kept in such a manner so that they are reasonably inaccessible to Dangerous Wildlife; bees and beehives are enclosed by electric fencing designed and maintained in accordance with the electric fencing guidelines of the WildSafeBC program |
| Other livestock | Other animals are permitted only as the Zoning Bylaw allows. Small-scale agriculture is a secondary use in the rural A1 and A2 zones (lots of at least 2 acres and 2 hectares), among others. Large livestock are banned from parks, school yards and sidewalks.Animal Control and Licensing Regulation Bylaw No. 866, 2001 (consolidated), s. 6(b); s. 8(c); Zoning Bylaw No. 770, Part 14 (A1 Small Holdings District), s. 14.2; s. 14.3 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingAll other animals will be permitted in accordance with the District of Tofino Zoning bylaw. Large livestock are not allowed in or on any portion of the following areas: Small scale agricultural uses, but excluding intensive livestock feeding operations; Each lot shall have a minimum area of 8094 square metres (2 acres). Small scale agricultural operation, but excluding intensive agricultural operations; |
| Bylaw | District of Tofino Wildlife Attractant Bylaw No. 1317, 2022; Animal Control and Licensing Regulation Bylaw No. 866, 2001; Zoning Bylaw No. 770, 1997Wildlife Attractant Bylaw No. 1317, 2022, title; Animal Control and Licensing Regulation Bylaw No. 866, 2001 (consolidated), s. 1; Zoning Bylaw No. 770, title · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingDistrict of Tofino Wildlife Attractant Bylaw No. 1317, 2022 District of Tofino Animal Control and Licensing Regulation Bylaw No. 866, 2001 Zoning Bylaw No. 770, 1997 |
How it works
No bylaw we read says whether hens are allowed or banned on a residential lot in Tofino, and none sets a hen limit, a rooster rule, or a permit or registration. The Animal Control and Licensing Regulation Bylaw No. 866 says animals other than dogs and cats are permitted only as the Zoning Bylaw No. 770 allows, and the Zoning Bylaw does not mention hens, chickens or poultry in its residential zones.
Good to know
- Under the Wildlife Attractant Bylaw No. 1317, chickens, coops and pens must be kept reasonably inaccessible to dangerous wildlife, and coops and pens must be enclosed by electric fencing built to WildSafeBC guidelines.
- Bees and beehives must not attract dangerous wildlife, must be reasonably inaccessible to it, and must be enclosed by electric fencing built to WildSafeBC guidelines. The bylaws do not say whether beekeeping is allowed, and no hive limit or licence was found.
- Small-scale agriculture is a secondary use in the rural A1 and A2 zones (lots of at least 2 acres in A1 and 2 hectares in A2), among others. Rules for goats, horses or ducks in residential zones were not found.
- Roosters are listed as small livestock, and the animal bylaw bans animal noise that disturbs neighbours.
- Large livestock are banned from parks, school yards and sidewalks.
- Farm operations that meet the Right to Farm Act tests are exempt from most of the Wildlife Attractant Bylaw.
- The bylaw's offence fine is up to $50,000. No ticket amount was found.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Gold River · Port Alberni · Cumberland · Courtenay · Comox · Tahsis
Backyard chicken rules in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Wildlife Attractant Bylaw No. 1317, 2022 (PDF), District of Tofino (read 2026-11-08)
- Animal Control and Licensing Regulation Bylaw No. 866, 2001 (consolidated) (PDF), District of Tofino (read 2026-11-08)
- Zoning Bylaw No. 770 (PDF), District of Tofino (read 2026-11-08)
Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 4 of 8 facts was matched to the official text; 3 are recorded as not set; 1 could not be confirmed. How answers are checked.