Can I keep chickens, bees, or livestock on my property?

Backyard hens & livestock — Nanaimo, British Columbia: Animal Responsibility Bylaw 2021 No. 7316

In the City of Nanaimo, British Columbia, backyard hens & livestock rules are set by Animal Responsibility Bylaw 2021 No. 7316, verified 2026-08-28. Livestock rule: No Person shall keep any Livestock on any property, within the City, other than property zoned for such uses in the City's Zoning Bylaw. Permit or licence: Every Person keeping Bees must be registered under the Bee Act. Setback: Apiaries shall not be located within 7.5 meters of an adjacent property line; Enclosure... must comply with the setback requirements of the zone.

Animal Responsibility Bylaw 2021 No. 7316 adopted bylaw

hens permitted	yes	s. 66
max hens	maximum of 6 hens or ducks... on a parcel of land less than .4 hectares in size but greater than .045 hectares in size; or... maximum of 4 hens or ducks... if the parcel of land is smaller than .045 hectares in size	s. 66(a)-(b)
roosters prohibited	yes	s. 66(c)
bees permitted	yes	s. 56
livestock rule	No Person shall keep any Livestock on any property, within the City, other than property zoned for such uses in the City's Zoning Bylaw.	s. 69
permit or licence	Every Person keeping Bees must be registered under the Bee Act	s. 58(d)
setback	Apiaries shall not be located within 7.5 meters of an adjacent property line; Enclosure... must comply with the setback requirements of the zone	s. 58(a), s. 66(e)

scout note

Poultry (hens/ducks, no roosters): up to 6 on lots 0.045-0.4 ha, 4 on smaller lots, with coop/setback/odour rules. Bees allowed with registration; livestock only on properly zoned land; rabbits need secure, setback enclosures.