Backyard hens & livestock — Whitby, Ontario

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

In the Town of Whitby, Ontario, backyard hens & livestock rules are set by Prohibited and Regulated Animals By-law 7392-18, verified 2026-09-25. Livestock rule: Livestock prohibited except on agricultural property in rural area of at least five (5) acres in size.

Prohibited and Regulated Animals By-law 7392-18 adopted bylaw
hens permitted no s. 3.3; s. 1.9 defines livestock to include chickens
bees permitted yes s. 3.4: "unless the keeping of the bees complies with the Bees Act"
livestock rule Livestock prohibited except on agricultural property in rural area of at least five (5) acres in size. s. 3.3
scout note

Defines 'livestock' to include chickens, ducks, geese and turkeys, and bars keeping livestock anywhere except an agricultural property in the rural area at least 5 acres in size - effectively no backyard hens townwide; honeybees permitted only if kept per the Bees Act.

Machine-readable: backyard-hens.json · Official website: http://www.whitby.ca/ · Last verified 2026-09-25 · Backyard hens & livestock across Ontario · Backyard hens & livestock in other municipalities