Backyard hens & livestock — Big Lakes County, Alberta

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

In the Municipal District of Big Lakes County, Alberta, backyard hens & livestock rules are set by Big Lakes County Land Use Bylaw No. 26-2024, verified 2026-09-27. Max hens: 12. Livestock rule: In Country Residential District, livestock limited by animal-unit table; parcels under 0.4 ha allow only ducks, hens, household pets. Permit or licence: Discretionary use development permit required for keeping animals not in accordance with s.4.33(c); no fee stated.

Big Lakes County Land Use Bylaw No. 26-2024 adopted bylaw
hens permitted yes s. 4.33(a)-(b)
max hens 12 s. 4.33(c) table
bees permitted yes s. 3.4 (Apiary, Discretionary)
livestock rule In Country Residential District, livestock limited by animal-unit table; parcels under 0.4 ha allow only ducks, hens, household pets. s. 4.33(b)-(c)
permit or licence Discretionary use development permit required for keeping animals not in accordance with s.4.33(c); no fee stated. s. 4.33(i)
scout note

LUB permits ducks/hens plus household pets in hamlets (no other animals on small parcels); Country Residential parcels may keep livestock per a table (12 poultry = 1 animal unit), capped at 6 animal units, with fenced on-site confinement required.

Machine-readable: backyard-hens.json · Official website: https://www.biglakescounty.ca/ · Last verified 2026-09-27 · Backyard hens & livestock across Alberta · Backyard hens & livestock in other municipalities