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Valemount backyard chickens, bees and livestock rules

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

Valemount, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-08

Short answer

In Valemount, backyard hens and roosters are not allowed: the Animal Bylaw lists them as prohibited animals. Horses, goats, sheep, cows and similar animals are also banned unless the Zoning Bylaw allows them. The Village's bylaws say nothing about bees.

Key facts

Hens allowedNo general right to keep hens. The Animal Bylaw lists hens (with quail, pheasant, pigeon, duck, goose, turkey and rooster) as prohibited animals that no one may keep, except where another Village bylaw permits. The Zoning Bylaw allows agriculture only in the ENV zone and in RR1 on lots west of Highway 5.Animal Bylaw No. 700, 2013, Schedule 8, item 21; s. 11.1; Zoning Bylaw No. 847, 2021, s. 5.2 and 5.3 (permitted uses) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
Official wording
All birds, domestic quail, pheasant, hen, pigeon, duck, goose turkey and rooster, except the budgie, cockatiel, lovebird, finch, and canary and other birds where in the Village of Valemount bylaw it is permissible.
Either on a temporary basis or permanent basis, any prohibited animal listed in Schedule B of this Bylaw.
Agriculture, permitted on lots lying west of Highway No. 5
Within the ENV - Environmental Zone, the following uses only shall be permitted:
Most hensNone set. Valemount prohibits hens, so no hen limit, coop rules or registration are stated.
RoostersNot allowed: roosters are on the Animal Bylaw list of prohibited animals.Animal Bylaw No. 700, 2013, Schedule 8, item 21; s. 11.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
Official wording
All birds, domestic quail, pheasant, hen, pigeon, duck, goose turkey and rooster, except the budgie, cockatiel, lovebird, finch, and canary and other birds where in the Village of Valemount bylaw it is permissible.
Either on a temporary basis or permanent basis, any prohibited animal listed in Schedule B of this Bylaw.
Coop rulesNone set. Valemount prohibits hens, so no hen limit, coop rules or registration are stated.
Permit or registrationNone set. Valemount prohibits hens, so no hen limit, coop rules or registration are stated.
BeesNone set. Valemount's Animal, Zoning and Good Neighbour bylaws have no beekeeping rules.
Other livestockBovine species (horse, donkey, swine, mule, llama, emu, ostrich, ass, sheep, goat, cow) may not be housed, pastured or kept in the Village unless the Zoning Bylaw makes an exception. Zoning allows agriculture only in ENV and in RR1 west of Highway 5.Animal Bylaw No. 700, 2013, s. 6.12 and Schedule A; Zoning Bylaw No. 847, 2021, s. 5.3; Bylaw Notice Enforcement and Dispute Adjudication System Bylaw No. 698 (consolidated June 4, 2026), Schedule A, s. 6.12 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
Official wording
No person shall permit any bovine species to be housed, pastured or maintained on any land within the Village unless an exception is provided in the Village of Valemount Zoning Bylaw
"Bovine Species" means for the purpose of this bylaw a horse, donkey, swine, mule, llama, emu, ostrich, ass, sheep, goat, cow or other animal of the bovine species.
Agriculture, permitted on lots lying west of Highway No. 5
Bovine species 6.12 No $300.00 $240.00 $360.00 n/a
BylawVillage of Valemount Animal Bylaw No. 700, 2013 (s. 6.12 and Schedule 8); Zoning Bylaw No. 847, 2021Animal Bylaw No. 700, 2013, s. 1.1; Zoning Bylaw No. 847, 2021, Notes · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
Official wording
the "Village of Valemount Animal Bylaw No. 700, 2013."
Zoning Bylaw No. 847, 2021 was adopted by the Village of Valemount Council on August 24, 2021 and became effective on that date.

How it works

The Animal Bylaw No. 700 lists hens, roosters, quail, pheasant, pigeon, duck, goose and turkey as prohibited animals that no one may keep in Valemount, except where another Village bylaw permits. No Village bylaw was found that expressly allows backyard hens. Section 11.2 lists limited exceptions, such as vets, certain facilities, Wildlife Act permits and special events with written permission.

Good to know

  • No limit, coop rules or registration for hens are stated, because hens are prohibited.
  • Horses, donkeys, swine, mules, llamas, emus, ostriches, asses, sheep, goats and cows may not be housed, pastured or kept in the Village unless the Zoning Bylaw No. 847 allows it. The Zoning Bylaw allows agriculture only in the ENV zone and in RR1 on lots west of Highway 5.
  • Horses may temporarily enter the Village for personal riding.
  • Beekeeping: the Animal, Zoning and Good Neighbour bylaws have no beekeeping rules. Ask the Village Office, 250.566.4435, before keeping bees.
  • Animals that normally live outdoors must have outdoor shelter.
  • Keeping bovine species is a $300 bylaw notice ($240 if paid within 14 days, $360 if paid late).

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

Clearwater · Wells · 100 Mile House · Barriere · Williams Lake · Quesnel

Backyard chicken rules in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

  1. Animal Bylaw No. 700, 2013 (PDF), Village of Valemount (read 2026-11-08)
  2. Zoning Bylaw No. 847, 2021 (PDF), Village of Valemount (read 2026-11-08)
  3. Bylaw Notice Enforcement and Dispute Adjudication System Bylaw No. 698 (consolidated June 4, 2026) (PDF), Village of Valemount (read 2026-11-08)
  4. Animal Control, Village of Valemount (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; 4 are recorded as not set. How answers are checked.