Backyard hens & livestock — Truro, Nova Scotia

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

In the Town of Truro, Nova Scotia, backyard hens & livestock rules are set by Town of Truro Community Plan Land Use By-law (Part 7), verified 2026-09-27. Max hens: 1 animal unit per 93.0 m2 (1,000 ft2) of lot area; 1 Chicken = 1 Unit. Livestock rule: Horses: 44 animal units; lots ≥465 m2; 1 unit per 93 m2; 75% lot area for pasturage/shelter except chickens/bees. Permit or licence: Beekeeper & Apiary Registration from the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture required; no fee stated.

Town of Truro Community Plan Land Use By-law (Part 7) adopted bylaw
hens permitted yes s. 3.4.1, Table 3.19; s. 3.4.2(a); s. 3.4.3(a)
max hens 1 animal unit per 93.0 m2 (1,000 ft2) of lot area; 1 Chicken = 1 Unit s. 3.4.1, Table 3.19; s. 3.4.2(b)
roosters prohibited yes s. 3.4.3(c)
bees permitted yes s. 3.4.6; Table 3.19
livestock rule Horses: 44 animal units; lots ≥465 m2; 1 unit per 93 m2; 75% lot area for pasturage/shelter except chickens/bees. s. 3.4.1, Table 3.19; s. 3.4.2(a), (b); s. 3.4.3(b)
permit or licence Beekeeper & Apiary Registration from the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture required; no fee stated. s. 3.4.6(a)
setback Coop/animal structure: 4.5 m from abutting lot line and 4.5 m from any dwelling; animal run: 3.0 m from lot lines; beehives: 3.0 m from abutting lot lines. s. 3.4.4(a)-(c); s. 3.4.6(f)
scout note

Backyard animals are allowed only on lots of at least 465 sq m, at one animal unit per 93 sq m of lot (a chicken or a beehive = 1 unit; roosters and swine barred outside the RR and WR zones), with coops, runs and hives in rear yards only. Beekeepers need a provincial registration, must keep hives 3 m

Machine-readable: backyard-hens.json · Official website: https://www.truro.ca/ · Last verified 2026-09-27 · Backyard hens & livestock across Nova Scotia · Backyard hens & livestock in other municipalities