---
title: Williams Lake backyard chickens, bees and livestock rules
question: "Can I keep chickens, bees, or other livestock?"
place: Williams Lake, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/williams-lake
category: Pets, animals and wildlife
owner: municipal
owner_body: City of Williams Lake
sources_read: 2026-11-05
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/williams-lake/backyard-chickens/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/williams-lake/backyard-chickens.json"
---

# Williams Lake backyard chickens, bees and livestock rules

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

**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.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of Williams Lake, https://www.williamslake.ca)  
**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).  
**Where:**
- Phone: City Hall, 250-392-2311

## Key facts

- **Hens allowed:** 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.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw 2430 (December 2025), s. 4A.1 (R-1)](https://williamslake.civicweb.net/document/178601)
  - Official wording: "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"
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw 2430 (December 2025), s. 4C.1 (R-3)](https://williamslake.civicweb.net/document/178601)
  - Official wording: "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"
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw 2430 (December 2025), s. 4F.1 (RR-1)](https://williamslake.civicweb.net/document/178601)
  - Official wording: "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"
  - Source: [Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw 2102, 2009 (consolidated), s. 29.1.2](https://williamslake.civicweb.net/document/39375)
  - Official wording: "possess a valid backyard hen keeping license" … "be the registered owner of, and reside at, the property where the hens are kept"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Most hens:** 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.
  - Source: [Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw 2102, 2009 (consolidated), s. 29.1.2(c)](https://williamslake.civicweb.net/document/39375)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Roosters:** Not confirmed. Not found in the official sources that were read.
- **Coop rules:** 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.
  - Source: [Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw 2102, 2009 (consolidated), s. 29.1.2(d)](https://williamslake.civicweb.net/document/39375)
  - Official wording: "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"
  - Source: [Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw 2102, 2009 (consolidated), s. 29.1.2(e)](https://williamslake.civicweb.net/document/39375)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Permit or registration:** Yes. A backyard hen keeping licence is required. The fee is $15, issued annually.
  - Source: [Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw 2102, 2009 (consolidated), s. 29.1.3](https://williamslake.civicweb.net/document/39375)
  - Official wording: "Hen Keeping Licenses will be issued annually"
  - Source: [Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw 2102, 2009 (consolidated), Schedule A](https://williamslake.civicweb.net/document/39375)
  - Official wording: "Hen Keeping License Fee" … "$15.00"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bees:** 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.
  - Source: [Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw 2102, 2009 (consolidated), s. 29.2.2](https://williamslake.civicweb.net/document/39375)
  - Official wording: "possess a valid backyard beekeeping license" … "have a Beekeeper ID number, issued to them by the B.C. Ministry of"
  - Source: [Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw 2102, 2009 (consolidated), s. 29.2.2(a)(v)](https://williamslake.civicweb.net/document/39375)
  - Official wording: "setback at least 3.0 m (9.84 ft) from all side and rear parcel lines"
  - Source: [Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw 2102, 2009 (consolidated), s. 29.2.3](https://williamslake.civicweb.net/document/39375)
  - Official wording: "limited to a maximum of two (2) colonies and two (2) nucleus colonies per parcel"
  - Source: [Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw 2102, 2009 (consolidated), Schedule A](https://williamslake.civicweb.net/document/39375)
  - Official wording: "Backyard Beekeeping License Fee" … "$15.00"
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw 2430 (December 2025), s. 4A.1 (R-1)](https://williamslake.civicweb.net/document/178601)
  - Official wording: "Dwelling Unit, Multi-plex Home-Based Business (b) Dwelling Units, Accessory (a) Backyard Beekeeping Manufactured Home Backyard Hen Keeping"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Other livestock:** 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.
  - Source: [Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw 2102, 2009 (consolidated), definitions, "farm animal"](https://williamslake.civicweb.net/document/39375)
  - Official wording: ""FARM ANIMAL" includes horses, cattle, mules, swine, sheep, goats, poultry, rabbits, alpacas"
  - Source: [Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw 2102, 2009 (consolidated), s. 29](https://williamslake.civicweb.net/document/39375)
  - Official wording: "No person shall own, keep, possess or harbour any farm animals except in areas designated for that use"
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw 2430 (December 2025), definitions, "hobby farm"](https://williamslake.civicweb.net/document/178601)
  - Official wording: "no more than two (in total) shall be permitted on an individual property"
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw 2430 (December 2025), s. 4F.1 (RR-1)](https://williamslake.civicweb.net/document/178601)
  - Official wording: "Dwelling Unit, Single Detached Childcare, Family Dwelling Unit, Multi-plex Hobby Farm Dwelling Unit, Accessory(a) Home-Based Business (b)"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw No. 2102, 2009 (hens and bees); Zoning Bylaw No. 2430, 2025 (where allowed).
  - Source: [Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw 2102, 2009 (consolidated), s. 1](https://williamslake.civicweb.net/document/39375)
  - Official wording: "This Bylaw shall be cited as the Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw No. 2102, 2009."
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw 2430 (December 2025), definitions](https://williamslake.civicweb.net/document/178601)
  - Official wording: "BACKYARD HEN KEEPING means the keeping of hens accessory to primary"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

The [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.

## Hens

- 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.
- Licence: $15, issued annually. Terms may vary year to year.
- 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.
- 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.
- Hens are for personal use only: no selling eggs or meat, and no slaughter in the City except at an authorized facility.
- Roosters: the bylaw and zoning bylaw do not mention them, and the bylaw only authorizes hens. Ask Bylaw Services before keeping one.

## Bees

A 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.

## Good to know

- 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.
- Not meeting the hen rules is a $100 bylaw notice ($75 if paid within 14 days; $125 if paid late).
- The City's copy of the bylaw is dated 2019.

## Official forms and pages

- [Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw 2102, 2009 (PDF)](https://williamslake.civicweb.net/document/39375)
- [Zoning Bylaw 2430, 2025 (PDF)](https://williamslake.civicweb.net/document/178601)

## Related questions

- [How many dogs or cats you can keep in Williams Lake](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/williams-lake/how-many-pets.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Backyard chicken rules in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/backyard-chickens.md)
- [100 Mile House](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/100-mile-house/backyard-chickens.md)
- [Quesnel](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/quesnel/backyard-chickens.md)
- [Wells](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/wells/backyard-chickens.md)
- [Clinton](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/clinton/backyard-chickens.md)
- [Clearwater](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/clearwater/backyard-chickens.md)
- [Lillooet](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lillooet/backyard-chickens.md)

## Sources

- [Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw 2102, 2009 (consolidated)](https://williamslake.civicweb.net/document/39375) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Zoning Bylaw 2430 (December 2025)](https://williamslake.civicweb.net/document/178601) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 2196, 2013 (consolidated), Schedule A-1](https://williamslake.civicweb.net/document/61839) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Bylaw Services, City of Williams Lake](https://www.williamslake.ca/270/Bylaw-Services) (read 2026-11-05)

_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. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with City of Williams Lake. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/williams-lake/backyard-chickens/_