Backyard Chickens

Each year, you must apply for or renew your backyard hen coop permit and pay the registration fee of $29.00 on or before March 31. 

Fees are set each year through our Fees and Charges Bylaw.

• You can keep a maximum of six hens on any residential property.
• Hens must be at least four months old.
• You cannot keep roosters.
• Hens must stay in their coops from 9:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. 
• When hens are not in their coop, they must be kept in an enclosed hen run.
• You cannot sell eggs, manure, or other hen-related products.
• You cannot slaughter hens at home, and any deceased hens must be disposed of at a livestock disposal facility or through a veterinarian.

• The owner of the hens must live on the property where they keep the hens.
• The owner of the hens must notify their neighbours of their intention to apply for a hen coop permit before submitting their application.
• Tenants must get permission from the property owner before submitting their application.

Hen coops and runs must: 

• Maintain a minimum distance of 1.2 metres from the rear lot line and 1.2 metres from any side lot line. 
• Maintain a minimum distance of 3 metres from all windows and doors of dwellings on adjacent properties. 
• Be positioned at least 15 metres away from any school. 
• Be positioned at least 7.5 metres away from any church or business. 
• Be positioned in the backyard. Hen coops are not allowed in any front or side yard. 
• Be less than 108sq.ft. Anything larger requires a building permit.

• Hen coops and hen runs must be kept clean and free from unpleasant odours, substances, and vermin. 
• Manure should be stored in an enclosed structure, such as a compost bin, with no more than 3 cubic feet stored at any time. 
• Proper disposal of manure must follow municipal by-laws. Hen waste must be in solid form and securely bagged.