---
title: West Kelowna backyard chickens, bees and livestock rules
question: "Can I keep chickens, bees, or other livestock?"
place: West Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/west-kelowna
category: Pets, animals and wildlife
owner: shared
sources_read: 2026-11-05
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-kelowna/backyard-chickens/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-kelowna/backyard-chickens.json"
---

# West Kelowna backyard chickens, bees and livestock rules

**Question:** Can I keep chickens, bees, or other livestock?

**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.

**Who handles it:** More than one level of government  
**Cost:** No permit, licence or fee for backyard hens is stated in the bylaws read.  
**How long:** Not applicable.  
**Where:**
- Phone: City of West Kelowna Bylaw Compliance, 778-797-8810
- Email: Bylaw Compliance, bylaws@westkelownacity.ca

## Key facts

- **Hens allowed:** 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.
  - Source: [RDCO Animal Control Bylaw No. 880, 2000, ss. 1, 2.1](https://www.rdco.com/media/pqxf2auy/bl0880-control-animals.pdf)
  - Official wording: "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"
  - Source: [West Kelowna Zoning Bylaw No. 0320 (consolidated), s. 3.9.1(g)](https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/westkelownacity-ca/media/ueqphuxz/b0320-zoning-bylaw-consolidated.pdf)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Most hens:** 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.
  - Source: [RDCO Animal Control Bylaw No. 880, 2000, ss. 2.1.2-2.1.8](https://www.rdco.com/media/pqxf2auy/bl0880-control-animals.pdf)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Roosters:** 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.
  - Source: [RDCO Animal Control Bylaw No. 880, 2000, ss. 2.1.2-2.1.4](https://www.rdco.com/media/pqxf2auy/bl0880-control-animals.pdf)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Coop rules:** 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.
  - Source: [West Kelowna Zoning Bylaw No. 0320 (consolidated), s. 3.9.1(g)](https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/westkelownacity-ca/media/ueqphuxz/b0320-zoning-bylaw-consolidated.pdf)
  - Official wording: "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)."
  - Source: [RDCO Animal Control Bylaw No. 880, 2000, s. 2.3](https://www.rdco.com/media/pqxf2auy/bl0880-control-animals.pdf)
  - Official wording: "shall be kept enclosed within fences or pens sufficient to retain"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Permit or registration:** Not confirmed. Not found in the official sources that were read.
- **Bees:** Not confirmed. Not found in the official sources that were read.
- **Other livestock:** 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.
  - Source: [RDCO Animal Control Bylaw No. 880, 2000, ss. 2.1.5, 2.1.6, 2.7](https://www.rdco.com/media/pqxf2auy/bl0880-control-animals.pdf)
  - Official wording: "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,"
  - Source: [Westside District Municipality Rabbit Control Bylaw No. 0026, s. 4.1](https://www.westkelownacity.ca/media/g3xao2pw/0026-rabbit-control.pdf)
  - Official wording: "No owner or occupier of property shall have or keep a rabbit on his" … "property except confined in a secure, enclosed structure."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** 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).
  - Source: [RDCO Animal Control Bylaw No. 880, 2000, s. 4.2](https://www.rdco.com/media/pqxf2auy/bl0880-control-animals.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Regional District of Central Okanagan Animal Control Bylaw No. 880, 2000"
  - Source: [West Kelowna Zoning Bylaw No. 0320 (consolidated), s. 1](https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/westkelownacity-ca/media/ueqphuxz/b0320-zoning-bylaw-consolidated.pdf)
  - Official wording: "CITY OF WEST KELOWNA ZONING BYLAW" … "NO. 0320, 2024"
  - Source: [Westside District Municipality Rabbit Control Bylaw No. 0026, s. 1](https://www.westkelownacity.ca/media/g3xao2pw/0026-rabbit-control.pdf)
  - Official wording: "WESTSIDE DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY RABBIT CONTROL BYLAW 2008 NO. 0026"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

The 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.

## Steps

1. Find your lot size, then check the limit for small livestock (chickens, other poultry, rabbits and similar, all counted together):
   - under 400 m²: none
   - over 400 m² up to 2,500 m²: 5
   - over 2,500 m² up to 5,000 m²: 25
   - over 5,000 m² and under 1 hectare: 25 per 5,000 m²
   - 1 to under 2 hectares: 100 per hectare
   - 2 hectares or more: unlimited
2. 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.
3. 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.

## Good to know

- 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.
- 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.
- Pigeons: none under 400 m²; up to 50 on lots of 400 m² to 1 hectare.
- 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.
- Bees: no beekeeping rule was found in the bylaws read. Ask Bylaw Compliance.
- 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.

## Official forms and pages

- [RDCO Animal Control Bylaw No. 880, 2000 (PDF)](https://www.rdco.com/media/pqxf2auy/bl0880-control-animals.pdf)
- [West Kelowna Rabbit Control Bylaw No. 0026 (PDF)](https://www.westkelownacity.ca/media/g3xao2pw/0026-rabbit-control.pdf)
- [West Kelowna Zoning Bylaw No. 0320 (consolidated PDF)](https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/westkelownacity-ca/media/ueqphuxz/b0320-zoning-bylaw-consolidated.pdf)

## Related questions

- [How many dogs or cats you can keep in West Kelowna](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-kelowna/how-many-pets.md)
- [West Kelowna dog licences: fees and how to get one](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-kelowna/dog-licence.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Backyard chicken rules in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/backyard-chickens.md)
- [Peachland](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/peachland/backyard-chickens.md)
- [Kelowna](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kelowna/backyard-chickens.md)
- [Lake Country](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-country/backyard-chickens.md)
- [Summerland](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/summerland/backyard-chickens.md)
- [Penticton](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/penticton/backyard-chickens.md)
- [Vernon](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vernon/backyard-chickens.md)

## Sources

- [RDCO Animal Control Bylaw No. 880, 2000 (PDF)](https://www.rdco.com/media/pqxf2auy/bl0880-control-animals.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Westside District Municipality Rabbit Control Bylaw No. 0026 (PDF)](https://www.westkelownacity.ca/media/g3xao2pw/0026-rabbit-control.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [West Kelowna Zoning Bylaw No. 0320 (consolidated) (PDF)](https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/westkelownacity-ca/media/ueqphuxz/b0320-zoning-bylaw-consolidated.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Bylaw Compliance, City of West Kelowna](https://www.westkelownacity.ca/city-services/bylaw-compliance/) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 0093 (consolidated) (PDF)](https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/westkelownacity-ca/media/n4hdhy3i/b0093-bylaw-dispute-adjudication-consolidated.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)

_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. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with any government. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-kelowna/backyard-chickens/_