{"title":"Tumbler Ridge backyard chickens, bees and livestock rules","question":"Can I keep chickens, bees, or other livestock in Tumbler Ridge?","slug":"backyard-chickens","place":{"path":"ca/bc/tumbler-ridge","name":"Tumbler Ridge","region":{"code":"bc","name":"British Columbia"},"country":{"code":"ca","name":"Canada"}},"category":{"slug":"pets-and-wildlife","name":"Pets, animals and wildlife"},"owner":"municipal","owner_label":"Municipal","owner_body":{"name":"District of Tumbler Ridge","url":"https://www.districtoftumblerridge.ca"},"short_answer":"In Tumbler Ridge, backyard hens are allowed for household use only (no selling), up to 8 hens, with a hen keeping licence ($20). Roosters are not allowed. Bees are allowed only in certain zones. Other livestock is limited by zoning.","aliases":["backyard chickens tumbler ridge","keep hens tumbler ridge","beekeeping tumbler ridge","livestock tumbler ridge"],"cost":"Hen keeping licence $20. Ticket for keeping hens without a licence: $100.","how_long":"Not applicable.","where":[{"type":"phone","label":"Bylaw Enforcement Officer","value":"250-242-3939","note":"Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m."},{"type":"in_person","label":"Town Hall front desk","value":"305 Iles Way, Tumbler Ridge, BC V0C 2W0","note":"Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m."}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 747, 2025, consolidated (PDF), District of Tumbler Ridge","url":"https://tumblerridge.civicweb.net/document/66310/"},{"title":"Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 560, 2011, consolidated (PDF), District of Tumbler Ridge","url":"https://tumblerridge.civicweb.net/document/28324/"},{"title":"Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 623, 2017, consolidated (PDF), District of Tumbler Ridge","url":"https://tumblerridge.civicweb.net/document/65152/"}],"related":[{"slug":"how-many-pets","title":"How many dogs or cats you can keep in Tumbler Ridge","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/tumbler-ridge/how-many-pets/"},{"slug":"dog-licence","title":"Tumbler Ridge dog licences: fees and how to get one","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/tumbler-ridge/dog-licence/"},{"slug":"unsightly-property","title":"Tumbler Ridge unsightly property rules and how to report","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/tumbler-ridge/unsightly-property/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/chetwynd","name":"Chetwynd","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chetwynd/backyard-chickens/"},{"place":"ca/bc/dawson-creek","name":"Dawson Creek","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/dawson-creek/backyard-chickens/"},{"place":"ca/bc/pouce-coupe","name":"Pouce Coupe","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/pouce-coupe/backyard-chickens/"},{"place":"ca/bc/mackenzie","name":"Mackenzie","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/mackenzie/backyard-chickens/"},{"place":"ca/bc/taylor","name":"Taylor","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/taylor/backyard-chickens/"},{"place":"ca/bc/fort-st-john","name":"Fort St. John","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fort-st-john/backyard-chickens/"}],"topic":{"title":"Backyard chicken rules in British Columbia, by municipality","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/backyard-chickens/"},"facts":{"hens_allowed":{"label":"Hens allowed","value":"Yes, as a minor agricultural operation for household use only (no sales), following the Animal Responsibility Bylaw. Section 5.11.1 lists R1, MHL, R2, R4, MHP, FD, P and RR (the use table shows R3, not R4). A hen keeping licence is required.","short":"Yes, with hen keeping licence, in listed zones","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://tumblerridge.civicweb.net/document/66310/","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 747, 2025, consolidated (PDF), District of Tumbler Ridge","section":"Zoning Bylaw s. 5.11","quotes":["An Agricultural Operation, Minor, which can include backyard hen keeping, is permitted in the following zones: R1, MHL, R2,","R4, MHP, FD, P, and RR","does not permit the sales of the products produced, these products are only for personal"]},{"url":"https://tumblerridge.civicweb.net/document/28324/","title":"Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 560, 2011, consolidated (PDF), District of Tumbler Ridge","section":"Schedule 2, s. 102","quotes":["Keep backyard hens without a license"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"max_hens":{"label":"Most hens","value":"No more than 8 hens (the ticket offence is 'keep over 8 hens').","short":"8 hens","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://tumblerridge.civicweb.net/document/28324/","title":"Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 560, 2011, consolidated (PDF), District of Tumbler Ridge","section":"Schedule 2, s. 102(c)","quotes":["Keep over 8 hens or keep rooster, or other fowl or farm animals"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"roosters":{"label":"Roosters","value":"No. Keeping a rooster, other fowl or farm animals is a ticketable offence.","short":"No","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://tumblerridge.civicweb.net/document/28324/","title":"Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 560, 2011, consolidated (PDF), District of Tumbler Ridge","section":"Schedule 2, s. 102(c)","quotes":["Keep over 8 hens or keep rooster, or other fowl or farm animals"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"coop_rules":{"label":"Coop rules","value":"Run: secure, big enough, clean ground, in the rear of the property or at least 2.0 m from any parcel line. Coop: 2.0 m from rear or side parcel line where there is no lane; 0.5 m² floor per hen; 15 cm perch per hen; one nest box per four hens; kept clean. No caged hens. Keeper must live at the property and get the owner's permission.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://tumblerridge.civicweb.net/document/28324/","title":"Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 560, 2011, consolidated (PDF), District of Tumbler Ridge","section":"Schedule 2, s. 102","quotes":["Failure to locate run in the rear of the property or at least 2.0m","Failure to site coop 2.0 m from the rear or side parcel line where","Failure to provide at least 0.5 m2 of coop floor area per hen","Keeping a hen in a cage","Fail to reside at the property where the hens are kept or fail to"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"registration":{"label":"Permit or registration","value":"A hen keeping licence is required; $20.","short":"Yes, $20 hen keeping licence","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://tumblerridge.civicweb.net/document/65152/","title":"Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 623, 2017, consolidated (PDF), District of Tumbler Ridge","section":"Schedule H","quotes":["Commercial Kennel $150.00 Replacement Tag Fee $5.00 Hen Keeping Licence $20.00 Impoundment Fees Administration Fee $50.00"]},{"url":"https://tumblerridge.civicweb.net/document/28324/","title":"Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 560, 2011, consolidated (PDF), District of Tumbler Ridge","section":"Schedule 2, s. 102(a)","quotes":["Keep backyard hens without a license"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"bees":{"label":"Bees","value":"Allowed only in the R2, R4, M1 and RR zones (the bylaw names R4 but defines no R4 zone). Hives at least 3 m from any property line; 2 hives on a parcel under 1,000 m², 4 on 1,000 to 2,000 m², 6 over 2,000 m²; in R2, written consent of abutting owners and tenants. Fence or height rules in s. 5.12.2.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://tumblerridge.civicweb.net/document/66310/","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 747, 2025, consolidated (PDF), District of Tumbler Ridge","section":"Zoning Bylaw s. 5.12","quotes":["An apiary / backyard bee keeping is only permitted in the following zones: R2, R4, M1, and RR","Not locate a beehive within 3 m of any property line","No more than two beehives will be permitted on a parcel of less than 1,000m2","written consent from owners and tenants of abutting properties","An apiary / backyard bee keeping is only permitted in the following zones: R2, R4, M1, and RR, and subject to the requirements","Not locate a beehive within 3 m of any property line;","No more than two beehives will be permitted on a parcel of less than 1,000m2, 4 beehives on a parcel that is between 1,000m2"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"other_livestock":{"label":"Other livestock","value":"Horses, cattle, sheep, poultry, ducks, geese and other livestock count as an 'Agricultural Operation, Major' (for sale); the zoning use table marks it only in R3, M1 and RR. Livestock in a non-prescribed zone is a $200 ticket. Hen keepers may not keep other fowl or farm animals.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://tumblerridge.civicweb.net/document/28324/","title":"Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 560, 2011, consolidated (PDF), District of Tumbler Ridge","section":"Schedule 2, s. 63","quotes":["Keep livestock in non-prescribed zone"]},{"url":"https://tumblerridge.civicweb.net/document/28324/","title":"Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 560, 2011, consolidated (PDF), District of Tumbler Ridge","section":"Schedule 2, s. 102(c)","quotes":["Keep over 8 hens or keep rooster, or other fowl or farm animals"]},{"url":"https://tumblerridge.civicweb.net/document/66310/","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 747, 2025, consolidated (PDF), District of Tumbler Ridge","section":"Zoning Bylaw definitions, use table","quotes":["specifically includes a kennel and the keeping of horses, cattle, sheep, poultry, pigeons,","ducks, geese, and other livestock, adhering to the Animal Responsibility Bylaw. The products produced as a result of this"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Zoning Bylaw No. 747, 2025 (s. 5.11 hens, s. 5.12 bees) and Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 692, 2020.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://tumblerridge.civicweb.net/document/66310/","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 747, 2025, consolidated (PDF), District of Tumbler Ridge","section":"Zoning Bylaw cover","quotes":["No. 747, 2025","Adopted May 26, 2025"]},{"url":"https://tumblerridge.civicweb.net/document/28324/","title":"Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 560, 2011, consolidated (PDF), District of Tumbler Ridge","section":"Schedule 1","quotes":["Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 692, 2020"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}}},"facts_summary":{"total":8,"stated":8,"matched":8,"none":0,"unknown":0},"body_markdown":"## How it works\n\nUnder the District of Tumbler Ridge's [Zoning Bylaw No. 747](<https://tumblerridge.civicweb.net/document/66310/>), keeping hens is a minor agricultural operation for household use only, and sales are not allowed. Section 5.11.1 lists the zones R1, MHL, R2, R4, MHP, FD, P and RR (the use table shows R3, not R4). Hen keepers follow the Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 692, 2020.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- **Licence:** a hen keeping licence is required ($20, [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 623](<https://tumblerridge.civicweb.net/document/65152/>)). Keeping hens without one is a $100 ticket.\n- **Limit:** no more than 8 hens. No roosters, other fowl or farm animals.\n- **Coop and run:** the ticket schedule lists a secure, clean run in the rear of the property or at least 2.0 m from any parcel line; a coop 2.0 m from the rear or side parcel line where there is no lane; 0.5 m² of floor per hen; a 15 cm perch per hen; one nest box per four hens. No caged hens. The keeper must live at the property and have the owner's permission.\n- Selling eggs, manure or meat, and slaughtering hens in the District, are ticketable ($250 and $350).\n- **Bees:** allowed only in R2, R4, M1 and RR zones. Hives at least 3 m from any property line; 2 hives on a parcel under 1,000 m², 4 on 1,000 to 2,000 m², 6 over 2,000 m². In R2, you need written consent of abutting owners and tenants. See s. 5.12.2 for fencing and height rules.\n- **Other livestock** (horses, cattle, sheep, other poultry) counts as a major agricultural operation, shown only in R3, M1 and RR zones. Livestock in a zone that does not allow it is a $200 ticket.\n- Ask Bylaw Enforcement at 250-242-3939 to confirm your zone.","sources":[{"url":"https://tumblerridge.civicweb.net/document/66310/","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 747, 2025, consolidated (PDF), District of Tumbler Ridge","accessed":"2026-11-08"},{"url":"https://tumblerridge.civicweb.net/document/28324/","title":"Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 560, 2011, consolidated (PDF), District of Tumbler Ridge","accessed":"2026-11-08"},{"url":"https://tumblerridge.civicweb.net/document/65152/","title":"Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 623, 2017, consolidated (PDF), District of Tumbler Ridge","accessed":"2026-11-08"},{"url":"https://www.districtoftumblerridge.ca/p/municipal-bylaw-enforcement","title":"Municipal Bylaw Enforcement, District of Tumbler Ridge","accessed":"2026-11-08"}],"sources_read":"2026-11-08","review":{"status":"machine_checked","badge":"Checked against official text","label":"Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 8 of 8 facts was matched to the official text."},"urls":{"html":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/tumbler-ridge/backyard-chickens/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/tumbler-ridge/backyard-chickens.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/tumbler-ridge/backyard-chickens.json"}}