Are Chickens Allowed in Oakville, Ontario?

BySusan Medlin

No — under current Oakville bylaws, keeping chickens (or “domestic fowl / poultry”) on residential property is prohibited unless your lot is in an agricultural zone or already authorized under existing agricultural use. Here’s a detailed breakdown of what the bylaws say, what that means in practice, and what to check if you hoped to have backyard hens.

What the Oakville Bylaws Say

Zoning By-law: What Uses Are Permitted

Oakville’s Zoning By-law 2009-189 (General Regulations) addresses uses permitted in different zones. There’s a specific statement that:

*“The keeping or raising of any livestock or poultry … other than household pets, **except in conjunction with an existing agricultural use** which includes the keeping or raising of any livestock or poultry.”*

That means if your property is not already designated or used as agricultural, you are not allowed to raise poultry—including chickens—on it. The bylaw does not provide a path for many residential property owners to apply for permission for hens.

Animal Control / Animal By-laws

  • Oakville’s Animal Control By-law 2018-006 outlines what animals are allowed and sets rules for animal welfare, licensing (for pets), and prohibited animals.
  • Under that by-law, there is a section that explicitly prohibits “domestic fowl” unless they fall under the agricultural zoning or existing agricultural use category.

What This Means in Practice

  • If you live in a standard residential property in Oakville (urban, suburban), you cannot legally keep chickens. The bylaw makes “livestock or poultry” uses (outside agricultural zones) a prohibited use.
  • If your property is already agricultural or zoned/agreed to be used for agricultural purposes (i.e. with existing agricultural use), then poultry raising may be permitted under those agricultural use rights.
  • Attempts have been made by residents to petition or lobby for changes: there is evidence of petitions and discussions around legalizing chickens/hens in Oakville. But as of the most recent bylaws and zoning documents, these changes have not been approved.

Questions & Common Concerns

What about roosters vs hens?

The bylaw does not clearly allow for hens alone under residential zoning. The prohibition is broader — any “poultry or livestock” is disallowed except in agricultural zones. Thus, even just keeping hens appears to be prohibited in typical residential zones.

Can I apply for a permit / exception?

As of the latest documents, Oakville’s bylaws do not provide a permitting path for non-agricultural residential properties to keep poultry. The permissible exceptions are tied to agricultural zoning/uses already recognized.

What if I see someone in Oakville keeping chickens?

It may be someone in an agricultural zoned property, or possibly someone in violation of the bylaw. There is evidence that people are raising awareness and attempting to change things via petition. But unless your property already meets the agricultural criteria, doing so might expose you to bylaw enforcement.

What To Do If You’re Considering Chickens in Oakville

  • Check your zoning: Find out whether your property is agricultural or residential. Agricultural zoning might allow poultry; residential zoning likely does not. Use the Town of Oakville zoning maps or contact planning.
  • Review the Animal Control By-law and Zoning By-law documents for your property. Ensure there’s no clause or existing agricultural use that may give an exception.
  • Watch for any council motions or petitions to change the bylaws. Residents have been active in petitioning for backyard chickens.
  • If in doubt, contact Oakville Municipal Enforcement / Animal Control to get a clear answer for your address. It’s better to get something in writing than assume permissibility.

Summary

So to sum up: in Oakville, Ontario, chickens are generally not allowed on standard residential properties. The bylaws prohibit keeping poultry or livestock unless your property is already used or zoned for agricultural purposes. There is no general legal pathway at present for residential properties to begin keeping backyard hens under existing bylaws. Unless you have agricultural zoning, the answer is “no.”