Who can have urban hens?

Within the villages and in rural residential zones, only residents who have an approved license can keep backyard hens on their property.

There are two types of licenses for backyard hens:

  • For properties zoned Rural Residential
  • For properties zoned Residential 

Apply for a License

Residential Properties 500m²-2999m²

This license as part of By-Law 2023-094, allowing up to three hens on your residential property (between 500m² and 2999m²).

 

Your application must include:

  • Complete Application Form for Backyard Hens Permit (500m²-2999m²);
  • Your permit fee of $75 by cash, cheque, or interac;
  • Site plan illustrating the location of the hen coop on the property, clearly marking distance to property lines, streets, dimensions, and any other structures on property;

Backyard Hens Permit (500m²-2999m²)

Please submit your application form and required documents to the Public Safety and Enforcement Department.

 

Remember that if you are in a residential zone, even with a backyard hens permit, you cannot:

  • keep a rooster
  • keep a meat hen
  • keep an egg laying hen, other than a backyard hen for which a valid license has been issued.


Exceptions apply to where it is permitted on a hobby farm.

Rural Residential Properties 3000M² +

This license as part of By-Law 2023-094, allows up to five hens on your rural residential property (3000m² or more).

 

Your application must include:

  • Complete Application Form for a Backyard Hens Permit (3000m² +);
  • Your permit fee of $75 by cash, cheque, or interac;
  • Site plan illustrating the location of the hen coop on the property, clearly marking distance to property lines, streets, dimensions, and any other structures on property;

Backyard Hens Permit (3000m² +)

Please submit your application form and required documents to the Public Safety and Enforcement Department.

Fees

The annual Backyard Hens License fee is $75.

Your license fee needs to be submitted with your application. The license fee will not be reimbursed if your license is revoked.

Background Information

Chickens, including backyard hens, were previously only allowed in areas zoned Agricultural. A new pilot program was approved by Council to allow backyard hens in residential areas until September 2021, if the applicant met certain conditions. The pilot program ended, and a permanent By-Law 2023-094 has been approved by Council on September 11, 2023. 

The following events and documents were part of the drafting and approving process for the new pilot program:

  • Online Public Meeting on July 8, 2020 (Recording available on our YouTube page)
  • Online Survey on Residential Backyard Hens
  • Open public feedback for comments on the Draft By-Law on Licensing and Control of Urban Hens
  • Draft By-Law and public feedback on Draft-By-Law presented to Council in August 2020
  • Adoption of By-Law in October 2020


Please contact the Public Safety and Enforcement Department if you would like more information.