Wells backyard chickens, bees and livestock rules
Can I keep chickens, bees, or other livestock in Wells?
Short answer
The District of Wells Zoning Bylaw has no backyard hen rule. Poultry, beekeeping and livestock are allowed only as agricultural operations in the RR 1, RR 2 and R/A zones. The residential zones (R 1, R 1A, R 2, R 3, R 4) list no agricultural use.
Key facts
| Hens allowed | The Zoning Bylaw has no backyard-hen rule. The RR 1, RR 2 and R/A zones allow agricultural operations, including livestock and intensive (commercial) livestock operations, which include poultry or fowl operations. The residential zones (R 1, R 1A, R 2, R 3, R 4) list no agricultural use.Zoning Bylaw No. 26, 2000, ss. 4.13.1(b)(x), 4.14.1(b)(x); Zoning Bylaw No. 26, 2000, s. 2.0, definition 95; Zoning Bylaw No. 26, 2000, s. 4.8.1 (R 1 zone; the R 1A, R 2, R 3 and RC zones read the same way) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingagricultural operations, including horticulture, silviculture, livestock, intensive livestock operation, stockyard, beekeeping and aquaculture means the raising and feeding of livestock on an intensive basis for commercial purposes includes cattle, horses, mules, ass, sheep, goats, swine, musk ox, llamas, alpacas and rabbits Agricultural operations, including horticulture, silviculture, livestock, intensive livestock operation, stockyard, beekeeping and aquaculture this definition includes feedlots, poultry or fowl operations, fur farms No person shall, within any R 1 zone, use any lot or erect, alter or use any building or structure for any purpose except one or more of the following R 1 uses |
|---|---|
| Most hens | None set. Wells' Zoning Bylaw sets no hen limit, rooster rule, coop or run rules, permit or fee. |
| Roosters | None set. Wells' Zoning Bylaw sets no hen limit, rooster rule, coop or run rules, permit or fee. |
| Coop rules | None set. Wells' Zoning Bylaw sets no hen limit, rooster rule, coop or run rules, permit or fee. |
| Permit or registration | None set. Wells' Zoning Bylaw sets no hen limit, rooster rule, coop or run rules, permit or fee. |
| Bees | Beekeeping is allowed as part of an agricultural operation in the RR 1, RR 2 and R/A zones. The residential zones (R 1, R 1A, R 2, R 3, R 4) list no beekeeping.Zoning Bylaw No. 26, 2000, ss. 4.13.1(b)(x), 4.14.1(b)(x); Zoning Bylaw No. 26, 2000, s. 2.0, definition 19 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingagricultural operations, including horticulture, silviculture, livestock, intensive livestock operation, stockyard, beekeeping and aquaculture Agricultural operations, including horticulture, silviculture, livestock, intensive livestock operation, stockyard, beekeeping and aquaculture "BEEKEEPING" means an apiary or a place where bees are kept and raised |
| Other livestock | Livestock (cattle, horses, mules, ass, sheep, goats, swine, musk ox, llamas, alpacas and rabbits) is allowed as an agricultural operation in the RR 1, RR 2 and R/A zones. The residential zones list no agricultural use.Zoning Bylaw No. 26, 2000, ss. 4.13.1(b)(x), 4.14.1(b)(x); Zoning Bylaw No. 26, 2000, s. 2.0, definition 102; Zoning Bylaw No. 26, 2000, s. 4.8.1 (R 1 zone; the R 1A, R 2, R 3 and RC zones read the same way) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingagricultural operations, including horticulture, silviculture, livestock, intensive livestock operation, stockyard, beekeeping and aquaculture includes cattle, horses, mules, ass, sheep, goats, swine, musk ox, llamas, alpacas and rabbits Agricultural operations, including horticulture, silviculture, livestock, intensive livestock operation, stockyard, beekeeping and aquaculture includes cattle, horses, mules, ass, sheep, goats, swine, musk ox, llamas, alpacas and rabbits No person shall, within any R 1 zone, use any lot or erect, alter or use any building or structure for any purpose except one or more of the following R 1 uses |
| Bylaw | District of Wells Zoning Bylaw (Bylaw No. 26, 2000; the amending bylaws call it the Zoning and Tree Protection Bylaw)Zoning Bylaw No. 26, 2000, s. 4.13.1, 4.14.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingagricultural operations, including horticulture, silviculture, livestock |
How it works
The District's Zoning Bylaw (Bylaw No. 26, 2000) has no rule written for backyard hens. It allows agricultural operations in the RR 1, RR 2 and R/A zones. These include livestock (cattle, horses, mules, ass, sheep, goats, swine, musk ox, llamas, alpacas and rabbits), poultry or fowl operations, and beekeeping. The residential zones (R 1, R 1A, R 2, R 3, R 4) list no agricultural use, so hens, bees and livestock are not listed uses there.
Steps
- Find out which zone your lot is in. The zone maps are in the Zoning Bylaw, or ask the District Office at 250-994-3330.
- If it is RR 1, RR 2 or R/A, ask what applies to poultry, bees or animals on your lot.
- If it is a residential zone, ask before buying birds or hives.
Good to know
- The bylaw sets no hen limit, no rule on roosters, no coop or run rules and no hive limits. It states no permit or fee.
- The RR 1 zone has a minimum lot size of 4 ha and RR 2 has 2 ha.
- The bylaw's name in the amending bylaws is the Zoning and Tree Protection Bylaw.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Quesnel · Williams Lake · 100 Mile House · Valemount · Vanderhoof · Clearwater
Backyard chicken rules in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Zoning Bylaw No. 26, 2000 (PDF), District of Wells (read 2026-11-08)
- Bylaws, District of Wells (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.