Can I keep chickens, bees, or livestock on my property?
In the City of Sarnia, Ontario, backyard hens & livestock rules are set by Animal Control By-law 234 of 1992 ('A By-Law Respecting Dogs, Rabbits, Pigeons and Domestic Fowl', consolidated, amended by By-laws 178 of 2019 and 84 of 2024), verified 2026-08-29. Max hens: 6 standard size chickens; 12 bantam/miniature chickens. Livestock rule: Domestic fowl (roosters, capons, turkeys, ducks, geese, guinea fowl) restricted to agriculturally zoned lands only. Setback: 3m from all lot lines; 10m from any church, school, dwelling or other premises used for human habitation.
Animal Control By-law 234 of 1992 ('A By-Law Respecting Dogs, Rabbits, Pigeons and Domestic Fowl', consolidated, amended by By-laws 178 of 2019 and 84 of 2024)
adopted bylaw
hens permitted
yes
s. 26(f)
max hens
6 standard size chickens; 12 bantam/miniature chickens
s. 26(f)
roosters prohibited
yes
"No roosters shall be permitted"
livestock rule
Domestic fowl (roosters, capons, turkeys, ducks, geese, guinea fowl) restricted to agriculturally zoned lands only
s. 25
setback
3m from all lot lines; 10m from any church, school, dwelling or other premises used for human habitation
s. 26(b)(ii) and (iii)
scout note
Caps standard chickens at 6 and bantam/miniature chickens at 12 per property (no roosters); coops must be in the rear yard. Outside agricultural/open-space zoning, keeps a combined max of 50 pigeons, rabbits and bantams per property; domestic fowl otherwise banned outside agricultural zones.