Can I keep chickens, bees, or livestock on my property?
In the City of Courtenay, British Columbia, backyard hens & livestock rules are set by Animal Control Bylaw No. 1897 (Consolidated, Jul 2021) and 1 other bylaw, verified 2026-08-28. Livestock rule: No person shall keep any livestock, horse, donkey or poultry on any property within the City, other than on property zoned for agricultural use. Max hens: six (6) per lot. Permit or licence: hives shall be registered with the Provincial authority, BC Ministry of Agriculture and Lands.
| hens permitted | yes | s. 11 |
| bees permitted | yes | s. 11 |
| livestock rule | No person shall keep any livestock, horse, donkey or poultry on any property within the City, other than on property zoned for agricultural use | s. 12 |
Generally prohibits keeping animals outdoors within the City except dogs, cats, honeybees or hens; other livestock/poultry/donkeys/horses restricted to agriculturally-zoned property only.
| hens permitted | yes | s. 6.17.1(4) |
| max hens | six (6) per lot | s. 6.17.1(4)(ii) |
| roosters prohibited | yes | s. 6.17.1(4)(iii) |
| bees permitted | yes | s. 6.17.1(3) |
| permit or licence | hives shall be registered with the Provincial authority, BC Ministry of Agriculture and Lands | s. 6.17.1(3)(iv) |
| setback | Hives: 6.0 m from property lines; Coops: rear yard only | s. 6.17.1(3)(iii), s. 6.17.1(4)(i) |
Max 6 hens per lot (no roosters), rear-yard coops only, egg/manure sale prohibited, home slaughter banned. Beekeeping: min 550 m2 lot, hives 6 m from property lines, max 2 hives, provincially registered, personal consumption only.