{"title":"West Kelowna backyard chickens, bees and livestock rules","question":"Can I keep chickens, bees, or other livestock?","slug":"backyard-chickens","place":{"path":"ca/bc/west-kelowna","name":"West Kelowna","region":{"code":"bc","name":"British Columbia"},"country":{"code":"ca","name":"Canada"}},"category":{"slug":"pets-and-wildlife","name":"Pets, animals and wildlife"},"owner":"shared","owner_label":"More than one level of government","owner_body":null,"short_answer":"In West Kelowna you can keep backyard chickens on lots over 400 square metres, up to 5 small livestock (chickens, other poultry, rabbits) on lots up to 2,500 square metres, under the Regional District of Central Okanagan's Animal Control Bylaw 880. No roosters on lots of 400 to 1,500 square metres. No bee rules were found.","aliases":["backyard hens west kelowna","chickens bylaw west kelowna","rabbits bylaw west kelowna","livestock west kelowna","beekeeping west kelowna"],"cost":"No permit, licence or fee for backyard hens is stated in the bylaws read.","how_long":"Not applicable.","where":[{"type":"phone","label":"City of West Kelowna Bylaw Compliance","value":"778-797-8810"},{"type":"email","label":"Bylaw Compliance","value":"bylaws@westkelownacity.ca"}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"RDCO Animal Control Bylaw No. 880, 2000 (PDF)","url":"https://www.rdco.com/media/pqxf2auy/bl0880-control-animals.pdf"},{"title":"West Kelowna Rabbit Control Bylaw No. 0026 (PDF)","url":"https://www.westkelownacity.ca/media/g3xao2pw/0026-rabbit-control.pdf"},{"title":"West Kelowna Zoning Bylaw No. 0320 (consolidated PDF)","url":"https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/westkelownacity-ca/media/ueqphuxz/b0320-zoning-bylaw-consolidated.pdf"}],"related":[{"slug":"how-many-pets","title":"How many dogs or cats you can keep in West Kelowna","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-kelowna/how-many-pets/"},{"slug":"dog-licence","title":"West Kelowna dog licences: fees and how to get one","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-kelowna/dog-licence/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/peachland","name":"Peachland","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/peachland/backyard-chickens/"},{"place":"ca/bc/kelowna","name":"Kelowna","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kelowna/backyard-chickens/"},{"place":"ca/bc/lake-country","name":"Lake Country","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-country/backyard-chickens/"},{"place":"ca/bc/summerland","name":"Summerland","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/summerland/backyard-chickens/"},{"place":"ca/bc/penticton","name":"Penticton","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/penticton/backyard-chickens/"},{"place":"ca/bc/vernon","name":"Vernon","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vernon/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, on lots over 400 m². Poultry (including chickens) counts as 'small livestock', which is not permitted on lots under 400 m². Rules are subject to the Farm Practices Protection Act.","short":"Yes, lots over 400 m²","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.rdco.com/media/pqxf2auy/bl0880-control-animals.pdf","title":"RDCO Animal Control Bylaw No. 880, 2000 (PDF)","section":"ss. 1, 2.1","quotes":["Poultry means domesticated birds kept for eggs, meat, feathers, hide,","includes chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys","Small livestock means poultry, rabbit or other small animals similar in size","On parcels of less than 400 m2 in area, keeping of livestock,","small livestock or farmed fur bearing animals shall not be"]},{"url":"https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/westkelownacity-ca/media/ueqphuxz/b0320-zoning-bylaw-consolidated.pdf","title":"West Kelowna Zoning Bylaw No. 0320 (consolidated) (PDF)","section":"s. 3.9.1(g)","quotes":["where an accessory building or","structure is permitted to be used to house animals within any Residential Zones as per","the Animal Control Bylaw and applicable zoning regulations"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"max_hens":{"label":"Most hens","value":"5 small livestock (chickens, other poultry, rabbits and similar) on lots over 400 m² up to 2,500 m²; 25 on lots over 2,500 m² up to 5,000 m². Over 5,000 m² and under 1 ha: 25 per 5,000 m². 1 to under 2 ha: 100 per hectare. 2 ha or more: unlimited.","short":"5 to unlimited small livestock, by lot size","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.rdco.com/media/pqxf2auy/bl0880-control-animals.pdf","title":"RDCO Animal Control Bylaw No. 880, 2000 (PDF)","section":"ss. 2.1.2-2.1.8","quotes":["On parcels greater than 400m2 and less than 1,500 m2 in area,","keeping of animals shall be limited to 5 small","On parcels greater than 2,500 m2 and less than 5,000 m2 in area,","keeping of animals shall be limited to 25 small livestock.","keeping of animals shall be limited to 5 livestock and 100 small livestock per hectare","keeping of livestock and small livestock shall be unlimited."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"roosters":{"label":"Roosters","value":"Not allowed on lots of 400 to 1,500 m² (and no small livestock at all under 400 m²). On lots of 1,500 to 5,000 m², roosters must be kept inside sound resistant buildings between 7:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. The bylaw says nothing about roosters on larger lots.","short":"No on lots of 400 to 1,500 m²; limits on larger","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.rdco.com/media/pqxf2auy/bl0880-control-animals.pdf","title":"RDCO Animal Control Bylaw No. 880, 2000 (PDF)","section":"ss. 2.1.2-2.1.4","quotes":["Roosters shall not be kept on parcel of this size.","Roosters shall be kept inside sound resistant buildings between 7:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"coop_rules":{"label":"Coop rules","value":"In a residential zone a building housing poultry must be no more than 10 m² and at least 15 m from any neighbouring dwelling. Birds outside buildings must be kept inside fences or pens that hold them.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/westkelownacity-ca/media/ueqphuxz/b0320-zoning-bylaw-consolidated.pdf","title":"West Kelowna Zoning Bylaw No. 0320 (consolidated) (PDF)","section":"s. 3.9.1(g)","quotes":["must be located a minimum of 15.0 m (49.2 ft) from any neighbouring dwelling.","Accessory buildings or structures used to house poultry in any Residential Zones must","not exceed 10 m2 (107.6 ft2)."]},{"url":"https://www.rdco.com/media/pqxf2auy/bl0880-control-animals.pdf","title":"RDCO Animal Control Bylaw No. 880, 2000 (PDF)","section":"s. 2.3","quotes":["shall be kept enclosed within fences or pens sufficient to retain"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"registration":{"label":"Permit or registration","value":null,"status":"unknown","reason":"not_found","sources":[]},"bees":{"label":"Bees","value":null,"status":"unknown","reason":"not_found","sources":[]},"other_livestock":{"label":"Other livestock","value":"Livestock (horses, goats, sheep, cattle and similar) are not allowed on lots under 5,000 m². From 5,000 m² to under 1 ha: 1 livestock per 5,000 m². 1 to under 2 ha: 5 livestock. Pigeons: none under 400 m², up to 50 on 400 m² to 1 ha. Rabbits must be kept in a secure enclosed structure.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.rdco.com/media/pqxf2auy/bl0880-control-animals.pdf","title":"RDCO Animal Control Bylaw No. 880, 2000 (PDF)","section":"ss. 2.1.5, 2.1.6, 2.7","quotes":["keeping of animals shall be limited to 1 livestock and 25 small","keeping of animals shall be limited to 5 livestock and 100 small","On parcels of less than 400 m2 pigeon keeping will not be permitted.","Livestock includes cattle, horse, mule, ass, sheep, goat, swine, musk ox,"]},{"url":"https://www.westkelownacity.ca/media/g3xao2pw/0026-rabbit-control.pdf","title":"Westside District Municipality Rabbit Control Bylaw No. 0026 (PDF)","section":"s. 4.1","quotes":["No owner or occupier of property shall have or keep a rabbit on his","property except confined in a secure, enclosed structure."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Regional District of Central Okanagan Animal Control Bylaw No. 880, 2000; City of West Kelowna Zoning Bylaw No. 0320, 2024 (s. 3.9); Westside District Municipality Rabbit Control Bylaw 2008 No. 0026 (rabbits).","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.rdco.com/media/pqxf2auy/bl0880-control-animals.pdf","title":"RDCO Animal Control Bylaw No. 880, 2000 (PDF)","section":"s. 4.2","quotes":["Regional District of Central Okanagan Animal Control Bylaw No. 880, 2000"]},{"url":"https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/westkelownacity-ca/media/ueqphuxz/b0320-zoning-bylaw-consolidated.pdf","title":"West Kelowna Zoning Bylaw No. 0320 (consolidated) (PDF)","section":"s. 1","quotes":["CITY OF WEST KELOWNA ZONING BYLAW","NO. 0320, 2024"]},{"url":"https://www.westkelownacity.ca/media/g3xao2pw/0026-rabbit-control.pdf","title":"Westside District Municipality Rabbit Control Bylaw No. 0026 (PDF)","section":"s. 1","quotes":["WESTSIDE DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY RABBIT CONTROL BYLAW 2008 NO. 0026"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}}},"facts_summary":{"total":8,"stated":6,"matched":6,"none":0,"unknown":2},"body_markdown":"## How it works\n\nThe Regional District of Central Okanagan (RDCO) [Animal Control Bylaw No. 880](https://www.rdco.com/media/pqxf2auy/bl0880-control-animals.pdf) treats poultry, including chickens, as \"small livestock\". It sets how many you may keep by lot size, subject to the provincial Farm Practices Protection Act. West Kelowna enforces it.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Find your lot size, then check the limit for small livestock (chickens, other poultry, rabbits and similar, all counted together):\n   - under 400 m²: none\n   - over 400 m² up to 2,500 m²: 5\n   - over 2,500 m² up to 5,000 m²: 25\n   - over 5,000 m² and under 1 hectare: 25 per 5,000 m²\n   - 1 to under 2 hectares: 100 per hectare\n   - 2 hectares or more: unlimited\n2. Roosters: not allowed on lots of 400 to 1,500 m². On lots of 1,500 to 5,000 m², keep them in sound-resistant buildings from 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. The bylaw says nothing about roosters on larger lots.\n3. Check the coop rules below and the [Zoning Bylaw No. 0320](https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/westkelownacity-ca/media/ueqphuxz/b0320-zoning-bylaw-consolidated.pdf), then ask Bylaw Compliance about your zone.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- In a residential zone a building housing poultry must be no more than 10 m² and at least 15 m from any neighbouring dwelling. Birds outside buildings must be kept in fences or pens that hold them.\n- Livestock (horses, goats, sheep, cattle and similar) are not allowed on lots under 5,000 m²; 1 per 5,000 m² from 5,000 m² to under 1 hectare; 5 on 1 to under 2 hectares.\n- Pigeons: none under 400 m²; up to 50 on lots of 400 m² to 1 hectare.\n- Rabbits must be kept in a secure enclosed structure under the [Rabbit Control Bylaw No. 0026](https://www.westkelownacity.ca/media/g3xao2pw/0026-rabbit-control.pdf). That bylaw also covers pet rabbits.\n- Bees: no beekeeping rule was found in the bylaws read. Ask Bylaw Compliance.\n- Fines: keeping animals contrary to Bylaw 880 is $200; a rabbit not in a secure structure is $100; breaching the accessory building rules in the Zoning Bylaw is $100.","sources":[{"url":"https://www.rdco.com/media/pqxf2auy/bl0880-control-animals.pdf","title":"RDCO Animal Control Bylaw No. 880, 2000 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.westkelownacity.ca/media/g3xao2pw/0026-rabbit-control.pdf","title":"Westside District Municipality Rabbit Control Bylaw No. 0026 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/westkelownacity-ca/media/ueqphuxz/b0320-zoning-bylaw-consolidated.pdf","title":"West Kelowna Zoning Bylaw No. 0320 (consolidated) (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.westkelownacity.ca/city-services/bylaw-compliance/","title":"Bylaw Compliance, City of West Kelowna","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/westkelownacity-ca/media/n4hdhy3i/b0093-bylaw-dispute-adjudication-consolidated.pdf","title":"Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 0093 (consolidated) (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"}],"sources_read":"2026-11-05","review":{"status":"machine_checked","badge":"Checked against official text","label":"Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 6 of 8 facts was matched to the official text; 2 could not be confirmed."},"urls":{"html":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-kelowna/backyard-chickens/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-kelowna/backyard-chickens.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-kelowna/backyard-chickens.json"}}