Can I keep chickens, bees, or livestock on my property?
In the Township of West Lincoln, Ontario, backyard hens & livestock rules are set by Animal Care and Control By-law 2023-54 (amended by 2025-08) and 1 other bylaw, verified 2026-09-25. Livestock rule: Prohibited on residential lots; permitted only on premises zoned for livestock under Zoning By-law 2017-70. Max hens: Maximum of six (6) hens are permitted per lot. Setback: Required enclosures (coop and run) shall be a minimum of 3 metres from all lot lines.
Animal Care and Control By-law 2023-54 (amended by 2025-08)
adopted bylaw
hens permitted
yes
s. 5.41; Schedule "F"
roosters prohibited
yes
"shall not include roosters, waterfowl or other non-domesticated birds"
livestock rule
Prohibited on residential lots; permitted only on premises zoned for livestock under Zoning By-law 2017-70
s. 4.4; s. 5.14
scout note
Schedule F (added by amending By-law 2025-08) sets backyard-chicken care standards: min 0.37 sq m coop floor area/hen, 0.93 sq m run/hen, no free-roaming, secure feed storage; enforced alongside the Zoning By-law's numeric caps.
Comprehensive Zoning By-law 2017-70
adopted bylaw
hens permitted
yes
s. 3.8.3; Table 13 (RuR, R1A zones)
max hens
Maximum of six (6) hens are permitted per lot
s. 3.8.3(a)(i)
roosters prohibited
yes
s. 3.8.3(b)
livestock rule
Livestock prohibited in Residential Zones within Settlement Areas; household pets (max 3) and up to 4 rabbits permitted.
s. 3.13(h)
setback
Required enclosures (coop and run) shall be a minimum of 3 metres from all lot lines
s. 3.8.3(a)(iv)
scout note
Section 3.8.3 permits backyard chickens as an accessory use, but only in the Rural Residential (RuR) and R1A residential zones per the zone permitted-use table. A maximum of six hens per lot is allowed; roosters are prohibited and slaughter or processing on site is prohibited. The coop and run must be located in the rear yard, at least 3 m