Are Chickens Allowed in Vancouver, BC?

BySusan Medlin

Yes — backyard hens are allowed in the City of Vancouver under specific rules. However, there are clear restrictions, registration requirements, coop standards, and limits on what is and isn’t permitted. Below is a detailed 1,200+ word guide to what you need to know if you’re thinking about keeping hens in Vancouver.

What the City By-laws Say

The City of Vancouver has established by-laws and guidelines around backyard hens (“Backyard Hens” program) to regulate how and where hens can be kept. Key parts of what the by-law requires are:

  • Residents must obtain a permit to have backyard hens. The permit is renewed annually.
  • A lot may have a maximum of four hens, each over four months old. Roosters are explicitly not allowed.
  • Other types of poultry/livestock — such as ducks, turkeys, or animals raised for meat, fibers, or other farm animal purposes — are not permitted under this by-law.
  • Eggs, manure, and other by-products cannot be used for commercial sale. The hens are for personal or household use only.
  • Backyard slaughtering of hens on the property is not allowed.
  • All hens must be registered with the city. Registration is free, and renewal of permit as well.

Coop / Enclosure Requirements & Location Rules

You can’t just keep hens anywhere; the by-laws include requirements for coop design, placement, cleanliness, and minimizing impacts to neighbours. Important details include:

  • Your coop must comply with the City of Vancouver’s Zoning and Development bylaws, and Animal Control bylaws. Guidelines for the coop and hen care are provided by the city.
  • Roofs, walls, doors: The coop must protect hens from weather and predators. It must be designed to avoid nuisances like noise, smell, or pests.
  • Setbacks and location: While the detailed layout rules are in the guideline documents, the by-law requires that the coop does not become a nuisance. It must be located in a way that respects neighbours. (Windows, doors, proximity to property lines must be considered.)
  • Maintenance: Feed must be stored properly to avoid attracting rodents; the enclosure and coop must be kept clean; waste must be managed. Humane care for the hens is required.
  • Age requirement: Hens must be four months or older. Younger chicks are not acceptable until maturity (at least for the purposes of compliance).

Limits & What Is Not Allowed

Even under the Backyard Hens by-law, there are clear things that are *not* permitted. If you violate them, you may lose your permit or face enforcement actions.

  • No roosters. Roosters are always prohibited under this specific by-law.
  • No other poultry or livestock beyond the four hens; ducks, turkeys, and animals raised for meat, fiber, etc., are disallowed.
  • No commercial use of eggs, manure, or other products; strictly personal use.
  • No slaughtering of hens on your property, including backyard slaughter for meat.

How to Get a Permit & What It Costs

If you decide you want to keep hens in Vancouver, here’s how to follow the process legally:

  1. Review the rules and guidelines on the City of Vancouver website (Bylaw, Animal Control, Zoning and Development).
  2. Build or plan your coop/enclosure in accordance with the coop design and hen care guidelines. Ensure location, predator protection, ventilation, etc., all meet minimum standard.
  3. Register your hens with the City. Permit application and renewal are free. Assignment of permit happens after you agree to follow city rules.
  4. Renew your permit every year by January 15. If you decide to stop keeping hens, inform the city.
  5. Ensure ongoing compliance: coop maintenance, feed and water, cleanliness, no nuisances. If complaints, city may inspect and enforce.

Why These Rules Exist

Vancouver’s by-law isn’t arbitrary — there are reasons and motivations behind why these specific rules are in place. If you’re planning to keep hens, understanding the “why” helps you stay compliant and neighbor-friendly.

  • Public health & safety: To prevent disease transmission, rodent or pest infestations, odor problems, and to ensure hens are kept in a sanitary environment.
  • Neighbour rights & nuisance control: Noise, smell, flies, or escaping hens can annoy neighbours; setbacks, coop location, and limits help reduce the risk.
  • Animal welfare: To ensure hens have protection from weather, predators, sufficient space, decent coop conditions, food, water, etc.
  • Urban agriculture balance: Vancouver supports urban food production, gardens, and backyard hens, but must balance that with density, zoning, and community impact.
  • Disease control: The annual permit helps keep track of where hens are located so city can alert owners in case of outbreaks (e.g., avian flu) and ensure biosecurity.

Challenges & Common Issues Residents Face

Even if you follow every rule, living with backyard hens in Vancouver can still involve trade-offs. Some of the common issues include:

  • Space constraints: small lots and dense housing make it difficult to find suitable coop locations that satisfy setback or neighbor proximity rules.
  • Weather: Vancouver gets rain, dampness, cold; coop design and shelter are important.
  • Predator risks: raccoons, rats, birds of prey; coop must be secure.
  • Neighbor complaints: even without roosters, hens can make noise, attract flies, or smell if not well maintained.
  • Regulations enforcement: you must renew permit annually, and violations can lead to removal of permit or orders to comply. Permits must be kept in good standing.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How many hens can I have?

Up to four hens per lot, each over four months old. No roosters allowed. Eggs must be for personal use only.

Do I need a permit?

Yes. You need to apply for a Backyard Hen permit. It’s free, but it must be renewed annually.

Can I slaughter hens on my property?

No. Backyard slaughter is not permitted.

What about other poultry or livestock?

Other poultry (ducks, turkeys, etc.), livestock, or animals raised for meat or fiber are not allowed. Only hens under this by-law are permitted.

What if my coop becomes a nuisance?

If a coop or hens cause smell, noise, pests, or any problems for neighbours, city by-law officers may inspect, issue warnings, or revoke the permit. Maintenance and neighbor relations are important.

Conclusion

Overall, Vancouver allows backyard hens under balanced, regulated conditions. If you want chickens, you must follow the by-law: get a permit, stick to the four-hen cap, no roosters, coop built properly, and no commercial use or slaughter. The rules are designed to allow urban food production while protecting neighbours, public health, and animals. If you plan carefully, hens can be a viable, legal, and rewarding addition to your household.

Prepared Resources

If you decide to keep hens, it’s helpful to consult these city-published resources:

  • City of Vancouver’s Backyard Hens section (how to apply, renew permit).
  • Vancouver’s Animal Control Bylaw and Zoning & Development Bylaw, plus “Guidelines for Keeping of Backyard Hens.”
  • BC SPCA advice on hen care, coop standards, and minimizing disease risk.