Food Policy

Backyard Chickens

In March 2009, City Council instructed staff to develop policy guidelines for the keeping of backyard chickens in Vancouver. In June of 2010, these guidelines were enacted as amendments to the Animal Control Bylaw and Zoning and Development Bylaw. Subject to following the approved bylaws and regulations, Vancouverites are now able to keep backyard hens! The City's backyard hen regulations focus on protecting the health and welfare of citizens and ensuring the humane treatment of backyard hens. They are also another way for residents of the city to participate in the local food system.		Hen image courtesy of FCIT.
How to register your backyard hen? To register your backyard hens, or to find out about the process of keeping urban chickens, please visit Animal Control services. With the approval of the new bylaws and regulations, responsibility for backyard hens is now located within the City's Animal Control services.

Key Questions and Answers

The following is an overview of some of the key questions pertaining to the keeping of backyard hens in Vancouver.

• How do I keep backyard hens?
• Will roosters be allowed or just hens? What about ducks, turkeys, goats, etc.?
• Will there be a limit on the number of hens that can be kept?
• Will residents be allowed to sell the eggs from backyard hens?
• Will people be allowed to slaughter chickens, or are they meant just for eggs?
• How is the City going to ensure that people’s health will not be put at risk (e.g. noise, smell, avian flu and other health concerns)?
• What will happen to the chickens In the event of an avian flu outbreak, a mass cull?
• What other cities allow chickens?
• Do you anticipate any opposition from the egg/poultry industry?
• How can I be kept informed about this issue?

How do I keep backyard hens?

To find out about the requirements for keeping backyard hens, or to register your backyard hens, please visit the Animal Control webpage.

Will roosters be allowed or just hens? What about ducks, turkeys, goats, etc.?

The Council-approved regulations only allow for the keeping of female chickens four months of age or older. No other fowl or farm animals are allowed.

Will there be a limit on the number of hens that can be kept?

A maximum of four hens may be kept per lot - provided that the available space and placement of the coop meet the requirements set out in the bylaws.

Will residents be allowed to sell the eggs from backyard hens?

No. Commercial use of eggs, meat, manure or any other hen products is prohibited.

Will people be allowed to slaughter chickens, or are they meant just for eggs?

Backyard slaughtering is not allowed. Hens at the end of their lives may be euthanized by a veterinarian or taken to a farm or abbatoir for slaughtering

How is the City going to ensure that people’s health will not be put at risk (e.g. noise, smell, avian flu and other health concerns)?

The City has worked closely with Vancouver Coastal Health to ensure that the regulations satisfy concerns around health and safety. The local Health Authority concurs with the City's regulations and supports the City's efforts to increase local food options.

What other cities allow chickens?

Other cities that allow chickens include New York (PDF, 167KB), Chicago, Portland, Seattle, Victoria (PDF, 70KB), Surrey (PDF, 2.34MB), and New Westminster (PDF, 99KB). A table of Canadian and American cities and their approach to chickens can be found here (PDF, 54KB). A separate listing of American municipal ordinances pertaining to chickens can be found here.

How can I be kept informed about this issue?

If you have specific questions about the keeping of backyard hens, please contact Animal Control by calling 3-1-1 or by sending an email to animalcontrol@vancouver.ca. If you are interested in broader issues around supporting the local food system, please contact the Food Policy team at foodpolicy@vancouver.ca.

 

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