{"title":"Williams Lake backyard chickens, bees and livestock rules","question":"Can I keep chickens, bees, or other livestock?","slug":"backyard-chickens","place":{"path":"ca/bc/williams-lake","name":"Williams Lake","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":"City of Williams Lake","url":"https://www.williamslake.ca"},"short_answer":"Williams Lake allows backyard hens in the R-1, R-3 and RR-1 residential zones with a $15 yearly hen licence: 3 to 4 hens on parcels under 745 m2, 5 under 1,858 m2 and 6 over 1,858 m2. The bylaw does not mention roosters.","aliases":["backyard hens williams lake","chicken bylaw williams lake","beekeeping williams lake","hobby farm williams lake"],"cost":"Hen licence $15 a year; beekeeping licence $15 a year. Bylaw notice $100 for not meeting the hen rules ($75 if paid within 14 days; $125 if paid late).","how_long":null,"where":[{"type":"phone","label":"City Hall","value":"250-392-2311"}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw 2102, 2009 (PDF)","url":"https://williamslake.civicweb.net/document/39375"},{"title":"Zoning Bylaw 2430, 2025 (PDF)","url":"https://williamslake.civicweb.net/document/178601"}],"related":[{"slug":"how-many-pets","title":"How many dogs or cats you can keep in Williams Lake","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/williams-lake/how-many-pets/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/100-mile-house","name":"100 Mile House","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/100-mile-house/backyard-chickens/"},{"place":"ca/bc/quesnel","name":"Quesnel","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/quesnel/backyard-chickens/"},{"place":"ca/bc/wells","name":"Wells","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/wells/backyard-chickens/"},{"place":"ca/bc/clinton","name":"Clinton","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/clinton/backyard-chickens/"},{"place":"ca/bc/clearwater","name":"Clearwater","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/clearwater/backyard-chickens/"},{"place":"ca/bc/lillooet","name":"Lillooet","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lillooet/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. Backyard hen keeping is a permitted use in the R-1 Small-Scale Residential, R-3 South Lakeside Residential and RR-1 Rural Residential zones, with a hen keeping licence. The keeper must own and live at the property or have the owner's written permission.","short":"Yes, R-1, R-3 and RR-1 zones, with licence","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://williamslake.civicweb.net/document/178601","title":"Zoning Bylaw 2430 (December 2025)","section":"s. 4A.1 (R-1)","quotes":["Dwelling Unit, Multi-plex Home-Based Business (b) Dwelling Units, Accessory (a) Backyard Beekeeping Manufactured Home Backyard Hen Keeping","Dwelling Units, Accessory (a) Backyard Beekeeping Manufactured Home Backyard Hen Keeping (a) Dwelling Units, Accessory shall be subject to the requirements of Section 3.4 of"]},{"url":"https://williamslake.civicweb.net/document/178601","title":"Zoning Bylaw 2430 (December 2025)","section":"s. 4C.1 (R-3)","quotes":["Dwelling Unit, Single Detached Childcare, Family Dwelling Unit, Accessory (a) Hobby Farm Manufactured Home Backyard Beekeeping","Dwelling Units, Accessory (a) Backyard Beekeeping Manufactured Home Backyard Hen Keeping (a) Dwelling Units, Accessory shall be subject to the requirements of Section 3.4 of"]},{"url":"https://williamslake.civicweb.net/document/178601","title":"Zoning Bylaw 2430 (December 2025)","section":"s. 4F.1 (RR-1)","quotes":["Dwelling Units, Accessory (a) Backyard Beekeeping Manufactured Home Backyard Hen Keeping (a) Dwelling Units, Accessory shall be subject to the requirements of Section 3.4 of"]},{"url":"https://williamslake.civicweb.net/document/39375","title":"Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw 2102, 2009 (consolidated)","section":"s. 29.1.2","quotes":["possess a valid backyard hen keeping license","be the registered owner of, and reside at, the property where the hens are kept"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"max_hens":{"label":"Most hens","value":"At least 3 and no more than 4 hens on a parcel under 745 m², 5 on a parcel under 1,858 m², and 6 on a parcel over 1,858 m².","short":"3 to 6 hens, by parcel size","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://williamslake.civicweb.net/document/39375","title":"Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw 2102, 2009 (consolidated)","section":"s. 29.1.2(c)","quotes":["keep at least three (3) and not more than","four (4) hens per parcel that is less than 745 sq m (8,019 sq ft)","five (5) hens per parcel that is less than 1,858 sq m (20,000 sq ft)","six (6) hens per parcel that is greater than 1,858 sq m (20,000 sq ft)"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"roosters":{"label":"Roosters","value":null,"status":"unknown","reason":"not_found","sources":[]},"coop_rules":{"label":"Coop rules","value":"Run: fully covered, 1.0 m² roofed space per hen, bear-proof electric fencing plus vermin-proof fencing, at least 3.0 m from any property line and from the house, behind the front face of the house. Coop: at least 1.5 m from the property line, 0.5 m² floor per hen, one perch and one nest box per hen, kept clean and checked daily.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://williamslake.civicweb.net/document/39375","title":"Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw 2102, 2009 (consolidated)","section":"s. 29.1.2(d)","quotes":["that is covered in a manner that provides at least 1.0 sq m (10.76 sq ft) of","electronic fencing suitable to repel bears","sited at least 3.0 m (9.84 ft) from any property line and located to the side","at least 3.0 m (9.84 ft) from the principal building","be kept clean and be monitored for suitable cleanliness daily"]},{"url":"https://williamslake.civicweb.net/document/39375","title":"Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw 2102, 2009 (consolidated)","section":"s. 29.1.2(e)","quotes":["be sited at least 1.5 m (4.94 ft) from the property line","provide each hen with at least 0.5 sq m (5.3 sq ft) of coop floor area","one (1) coop that will"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"registration":{"label":"Permit or registration","value":"Yes. A backyard hen keeping licence is required. The fee is $15, issued annually.","short":"Yes, $15 a year licence","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://williamslake.civicweb.net/document/39375","title":"Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw 2102, 2009 (consolidated)","section":"s. 29.1.3","quotes":["Hen Keeping Licenses will be issued annually"]},{"url":"https://williamslake.civicweb.net/document/39375","title":"Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw 2102, 2009 (consolidated)","section":"Schedule A","quotes":["Hen Keeping License Fee","$15.00"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bees":{"label":"Bees","value":"Yes, with a backyard beekeeping licence ($15 a year) and a BC Beekeeper ID. Maximum 2 colonies and 2 nucleus colonies per parcel. Hives need bear-proof electric fencing, at least 3.0 m from side and rear lot lines and behind the front of the house, plus a flight-path barrier. Permitted in the R-1, R-3 and RR-1 zones.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://williamslake.civicweb.net/document/39375","title":"Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw 2102, 2009 (consolidated)","section":"s. 29.2.2","quotes":["possess a valid backyard beekeeping license","have a Beekeeper ID number, issued to them by the B.C. Ministry of"]},{"url":"https://williamslake.civicweb.net/document/39375","title":"Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw 2102, 2009 (consolidated)","section":"s. 29.2.2(a)(v)","quotes":["setback at least 3.0 m (9.84 ft) from all side and rear parcel lines"]},{"url":"https://williamslake.civicweb.net/document/39375","title":"Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw 2102, 2009 (consolidated)","section":"s. 29.2.3","quotes":["limited to a maximum of two (2) colonies and two (2) nucleus colonies per parcel"]},{"url":"https://williamslake.civicweb.net/document/39375","title":"Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw 2102, 2009 (consolidated)","section":"Schedule A","quotes":["Backyard Beekeeping License Fee","$15.00"]},{"url":"https://williamslake.civicweb.net/document/178601","title":"Zoning Bylaw 2430 (December 2025)","section":"s. 4A.1 (R-1)","quotes":["Dwelling Unit, Multi-plex Home-Based Business (b) Dwelling Units, Accessory (a) Backyard Beekeeping Manufactured Home Backyard Hen Keeping"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"other_livestock":{"label":"Other livestock","value":"Farm animals (horses, cattle, mules, swine, sheep, goats, poultry, rabbits, alpacas, llamas) are allowed only in areas the Zoning Bylaw designates. Hobby farms are permitted in the R-3 and RR-1 zones, with no more than two horses, cattle, sheep, goats or camelids in total per property.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://williamslake.civicweb.net/document/39375","title":"Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw 2102, 2009 (consolidated)","section":"definitions, \"farm animal\"","quotes":["\"FARM ANIMAL\" includes horses, cattle, mules, swine, sheep, goats, poultry, rabbits, alpacas"]},{"url":"https://williamslake.civicweb.net/document/39375","title":"Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw 2102, 2009 (consolidated)","section":"s. 29","quotes":["No person shall own, keep, possess or harbour any farm animals except in areas designated for that use"]},{"url":"https://williamslake.civicweb.net/document/178601","title":"Zoning Bylaw 2430 (December 2025)","section":"definitions, \"hobby farm\"","quotes":["no more than two (in total) shall be permitted on an individual property"]},{"url":"https://williamslake.civicweb.net/document/178601","title":"Zoning Bylaw 2430 (December 2025)","section":"s. 4F.1 (RR-1)","quotes":["Dwelling Unit, Single Detached Childcare, Family Dwelling Unit, Multi-plex Hobby Farm Dwelling Unit, Accessory(a) Home-Based Business (b)"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw No. 2102, 2009 (hens and bees); Zoning Bylaw No. 2430, 2025 (where allowed).","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://williamslake.civicweb.net/document/39375","title":"Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw 2102, 2009 (consolidated)","section":"s. 1","quotes":["This Bylaw shall be cited as the Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw No. 2102, 2009."]},{"url":"https://williamslake.civicweb.net/document/178601","title":"Zoning Bylaw 2430 (December 2025)","section":"definitions","quotes":["BACKYARD HEN KEEPING means the keeping of hens accessory to primary"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}}},"facts_summary":{"total":8,"stated":7,"matched":7,"none":0,"unknown":1},"body_markdown":"## How it works\n\nThe [Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw](https://williamslake.civicweb.net/document/39375) allows backyard hens, with a hen keeping licence, where the [Zoning Bylaw](https://williamslake.civicweb.net/document/178601) permits them: the R-1 Small-Scale Residential, R-3 South Lakeside Residential and RR-1 Rural Residential zones. Hen keeping is not listed as a permitted use in the other zones (R-2, R-4, R-5, commercial, industrial and so on). The keeper must own and live at the property or have the owner's written permission. Hens may not be kept in a dwelling house.\n\n## Hens\n\n- Number: at least 3 and no more than 4 hens on a parcel under 745 m2, 5 on a parcel under 1,858 m2, and 6 on a parcel over 1,858 m2. The bylaw wording does not say what applies to a parcel of exactly 1,858 m2.\n- Licence: $15, issued annually. Terms may vary year to year.\n- Run: fully covered, 1.0 m2 of roofed space per hen, bear-proof electric fencing plus vermin-proof fencing, at least 3.0 m from any property line and from the house, and behind the front face of the house.\n- Coop: at least 1.5 m from the property line, 0.5 m2 of floor per hen, one perch and one nest box per hen, kept clean and checked daily.\n- Hens are for personal use only: no selling eggs or meat, and no slaughter in the City except at an authorized facility.\n- Roosters: the bylaw and zoning bylaw do not mention them, and the bylaw only authorizes hens. Ask Bylaw Services before keeping one.\n\n## Bees\n\nA backyard beekeeping licence ($15 a year) and a BC Beekeeper ID are needed. Maximum 2 colonies and 2 nucleus colonies per parcel, in the R-1, R-3 and RR-1 zones. Hives need bear-proof electric fencing, at least 3.0 m from side and rear lot lines and behind the front of the house, plus a flight-path barrier.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- Other farm animals (horses, cattle, swine, sheep, goats, poultry, rabbits and so on) are allowed only where the Zoning Bylaw designates. A hobby farm is permitted in R-3 and RR-1, with no more than two horses, cattle, sheep, goats or camelids in total per property.\n- Not meeting the hen rules is a $100 bylaw notice ($75 if paid within 14 days; $125 if paid late).\n- The City's copy of the bylaw is dated 2019.","sources":[{"url":"https://williamslake.civicweb.net/document/39375","title":"Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw 2102, 2009 (consolidated)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://williamslake.civicweb.net/document/178601","title":"Zoning Bylaw 2430 (December 2025)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://williamslake.civicweb.net/document/61839","title":"Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 2196, 2013 (consolidated), Schedule A-1","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.williamslake.ca/270/Bylaw-Services","title":"Bylaw Services, City of Williams Lake","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 7 of 8 facts was matched to the official text; 1 could not be confirmed."},"urls":{"html":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/williams-lake/backyard-chickens/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/williams-lake/backyard-chickens.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/williams-lake/backyard-chickens.json"}}