Backyard Hens
Steps to Keeping Backyard Hens
Please take the time to review the documents below before getting your backyard hens.
Step 1 - City Regulations
Prospective backyard hen owners are required to familiarize themselves with the relevant sections of the Animal Control By-law 
(197kb) and Zoning and Development By-law (42kb) (both revised June 2010). These by-laws set out the rules and requirements for keeping backyard hens—including the maximum number of hens, the size and location of chicken coops, and other important details.
Step 2 - Important Information: Hen care
Hen owners are also required to review the following documents before registering their hens:
- Canadian Food Inspection Agency - Bird Health Basics – How to Prevent and Detect Disease in Backyard Flocks and Pet Birds
. - Basic Hen Care (41kb)
- Humane Considerations for Backyard Hens (19kb)
- Resources for Backyard Hen Owners (53kb), as these documents also provide useful information.
Step 3 - Register
All hen owners need to complete an application form to register their coop with Animal Control.
To register online you will be required to review documents that relate to the basic care and considerations when owing hens. Click here to register online.
Key Questions and Answers
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 other cities allow chickens?
(167kb) , Chicago , Portland , Seattle , Victoria (70kb) , Surrey (2.34mb) , and New Westminster (99kb) . A table of Canadian and American cities and their approach to chickens can be found here (54kb) . A separate listing of American municipal ordinances pertaining to chickens can be found here .How can I be kept informed about this issue?
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