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

Backyard hens & livestock — Shelburne, Ontario: By-law 15-2018, Animal Care and Control By-law (as amended)

In the Town of Shelburne, Ontario, backyard hens & livestock rules are set by By-law 15-2018, Animal Care and Control By-law (as amended), verified 2026-09-25. Livestock rule: Artiodactyla (cattle, goats, sheep, pigs) and Perissodactyla (horses, donkeys, mules) prohibited throughout municipality. Permit or licence: Dog licence required; fee $25.00 (altered) or $35.00 (unaltered). Setback: At least 6.1 metres (20 feet) from the property line and at least 12.2 metres (40 feet) from any school, church, or residential premises not on the same lot.

By-law 15-2018, Animal Care and Control By-law (as amended) adopted bylaw

hens permitted	no	Schedule "B" — "Galliformes (such as peacocks, pheasants, grouse, guineafowls, chickens, turkeys)"
roosters prohibited	yes	Schedule "B" — "Galliformes (such as peacocks, pheasants, grouse, guineafowls, chickens, turkeys)"
livestock rule	Artiodactyla (cattle, goats, sheep, pigs) and Perissodactyla (horses, donkeys, mules) prohibited throughout municipality.	Schedule "B" — "Artiodactyla (such as cattle, goats, sheep, pigs)" and "Perissodactyla (such as horses, donkeys, jackasses, mules)"
permit or licence	Dog licence required; fee $25.00 (altered) or $35.00 (unaltered)	s. 3.1; Schedule "A"
setback	At least 6.1 metres (20 feet) from the property line and at least 12.2 metres (40 feet) from any school, church, or residential premises not on the same lot	s. 12.8(b)

scout note

Schedule B (Prohibited Animals) bans chickens/turkeys/poultry (Galliformes) and livestock such as cattle, goats, sheep, pigs and horses town-wide, with no residential exception; domestic rabbits are exempt from the ban.