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Bylaw 531-25
VILLAGE OF DUCHESS
BYLAW NO. 531-25
HEN BYLAW
A BYLAW OF THE VILLAGE OF DUCHESS IN THE PROVINCE OF ALBERTA
TO REGULATE THE KEEPING OF CHICKENS IN URBAN AREAS
WHEREAS pursuant to provisions of the Municipal Government Act, Revised Statutes of
Alberta 2000, Chapter M-26 and amendments thereto, Council may pass a bylaw for
municipal purposes respecting the safety, health and welfare of people, the protection of
people and property, wild and domestic animals, and certain activities in relation to them;
and
WHEREAS pursuant to provisions of the Municipal Government Act, Revised Statutes of
Alberta 2000, Chapter M-26 and amendments thereto, Council has the authority to provide
for a system of licenses, permits and approvals; and
WHEREAS Council deems it desirable to regulate and license the keeping of chickens in urban
areas of the Village;
NOW THEREFORE the Council of the Village of Duchess enacts as follows:
1.
SHORT TITLE
This bylaw may be known as the "Urban Hen Bylaw".
2.
DEFINITIONS
In this Bylaw, unless the context otherwise requires:
2.1 "Chief Administrative Officer (CAO)" means the Chief Administrative Officer of the
Town appointed by Council, or designate;
2.2 "Contiguous Boundary" means property which either abuts directly on the property
where the urban hens will be kept or is directly separated from the property by a
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Bylaw 531-25
street or street right of way, alley, walkway, railway, water body, utility lot or other
similar feature;
2.3 Coop" means a fully enclosed weatherproof structure and attached outdoor enclosure
used for the keeping of urban hens, that is no larger than 9.2m2 (100 ft.2) in floor area,
and no more than 2m (6.56 ft.) in height;
2.4 "Council" means the Council of the Village of Duchess;
2.5 "Hen" means a domesticated female chicken;
2.6 "Outdoor Enclosure" means a securely enclosed, roofed outdoor area attached to and
forming part of a coop having a bare earth or vegetated floor for urban hens to roam;
2.7 "Peace Officer" means:
a)
a member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police;
b)
a Community Peace Officer as appointed by the Solicitor General of Alberta;
c)
a Bylaw Enforcement Officer as appointed by the Town to enforce bylaws of the
Town
2.8 "Rooster" means a domesticated male chicken;
2.9 "Sell" means to exchange or deliver for money or its equivalent;
2.10 "Village" means the Village of Duchess, a municipal corporation in the Province of
Alberta, and where the context so requires, means the area of land within the
corporate boundaries thereof;
2.11 "Urban Area" means lands located within the Town on which agricultural operations,
including but not limited to the keeping of livestock, are neither a permitted or
discretionary use under Bylaws of the Town;
2.12 "Urban Hen" means a hen that is at least sixteen (16) weeks of age;
2.13 "Urban Hen License" means a license issued pursuant to this Bylaw which authorizes
the license holder to keep urban hens on a specific property within the Town.
2.14 "Violation Tag" means a notice or tag in the form as approved by the CAO, issued by
the Town, allowing a voluntary payment option of a fine established under this Bylaw;
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Bylaw 531-25
2.15 "Violation Ticket" means a ticket issued pursuant to Part 2 of the Provincial Offences
Procedures Act, Revised Statutes of Alberta 2000, Chapter P-34 and any amendments
or regulations thereto.
3.
PROHIBITIONS
3.1 In an urban area, no person shall keep:
a)
a rooster; or
b)
a hen, other than an urban hen for which a valid urban hen license has been
issued.
4.
URBAN HEN LICENSES
4.1 The maximum number of urban hen licenses that may be issued in the Village shall be
SIX (6).
4.2 A person may keep up to SIX (6) urban hens by:
a)
submitting a completed urban hen license application on forms approved by the
CAO, and, attached as Schedule "B"; and
b)
paying an annual urban hen license fee of Forty Dollars ($40.00).
4.3 Urban hen licenses are valid for the period of January 1 to December 31 of the year in
which it is issued and must be renewed annually prior to January 31 of each subsequent
year.
4.4 Urban hen license fees shall not be reduced or prorated no matter the month of
purchase.
4.5 Urban hen license fees shall not be refunded or rebated.
4.6 An urban hen license is not transferable from one person to another.
4.7 An urban hen license is not transferable from one property to another except:
a)
when a license holder has moved to a new property within the Village, then:
i.
the license holder may apply to transfer the license; and
ii.
an inspection of the new property must be carried out to determine
whether the license holder is still able to meet all requirements for an
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Bylaw 531-25
urban hen license as set out in this Bylaw at such property.
4.8 A person to whom an urban hen license has been issued shall produce the license upon
the demand of a Peace Officer.
4.9 An urban hen license may be issued if the CAO is satisfied that:
a)
the applicant is the owner of the property on which the urban hens will be kept;
or that the owner of the property has provided written consent to the applicant;
b)
the land use designation of the property on which the urban hens will be kept
allows the placement of a coop for the keeping of urban hens;
c)
the applicant resides on the property on which the urban hens will be kept;
d)
all required information has been provided;
e)
the applicant has taken a course on the safe handling of hens and eggs, prior to
issuance of a license;
f)
the applicable license fee has been paid; and
g)
the applicant has complied with all other Provincial and Federal Regulations for the
keeping of chickens.
4.10 Any person who has applied for and been approved for ownership of urban hens may
keep hens in accordance with the terms of this Bylaw and its attached Schedules.
4.11 An urban hen license may be refused or revoked by the CAO if:
a)
the applicant or license holder does not meet or no longer meets the
requirements for an urban hen license as set out in this Bylaw;
b)
the applicant or license holder furnishes false information or
misrepresents any fact or circumstance required pursuant to this Bylaw;
c)
the applicant or license holder has, in the opinion of the CAO, based on
reasonable grounds, contravened any part of this Bylaw whether the
contravention has been prosecuted;
d)
the applicant or license holder fails to pay a fine imposed by a court for a
contravention of this Bylaw or any other applicable Bylaw related to the keeping of
livestock;
e)
the applicant or license holder fails to pay any fee required by this Bylaw or any
other applicable legislation; or
f)
fifty percent (50%) or more of the neighbours having contiguous boundaries with
the property where the urban hens will be kept are not in support of the
application;
g)
in the opinion of the CAO, based on reasonable grounds, it is in the public
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Bylaw 531-25
interest to do so.
4.12 If the CAO revokes, or refuses to issue an urban hen license, the applicant may appeal
the decision to Council, in accordance with Village Bylaws.
5.
KEEPING OF URBAN HENS
5.1 A person who keeps urban hens must:
a)
provide each urban hen with at least 0.37m2 (3.98 ft.2) of interior floor area, and at
least 0.92m2 (9.9 ft.2) of outdoor enclosure, within the coop;
b)
ensure that each coop is:
i.
located in the rear yard of the property;
ii.
a minimum 3.0m (9.84 ft.) from a dwelling;
iii.
a minimum 1.5m (5.0 ft.) from any accessory structures;
iv.
a minimum 1.2m (4.0 ft.) from a side yard and 1.5m (5.0 ft.) from the rear yard;
v.
a minimum 3.1m (10 ft.) from a secondary front (corner lots); and
vi. at grade level, no more than 2m (6.56 ft.) in height;
c)
provide and maintain, in the coop, at least one nest box per coop and one perch
per urban hen that is at least 15 cm (5.90 in) long;
d)
keep each urban hen in the coop at all times;
e)
provide each urban hen with appropriate food, liquid (unfrozen) water, shelter,
light, warmth, ventilation, veterinary care, and opportunities for essential
behaviors such as scratching, dust-bathing, and roosting, all sufficient to
maintain the urban hen in good health;
f)
maintain the coop in good repair and sanitary condition, and free from vermin
and noxious or offensive smells and substances;
g)
construct and maintain the coop to prevent any rodent from harboring
underneath, within, or within its walls, and to prevent entrance by any other
animal;
h)
keep a food container and water container in the coop;
i)
keep the coop secured at all times;
j)
remove leftover feed, trash, and manure in a timely manner;
k)
store feed within a fully enclosed container;
I)
store manure within a fully enclosed container, and store no more than 85 litres
(3 cubic feet) of manure at any time;
m) remove all other manure not used for composting or fertilizing and dispose of
such in accordance with Village Bylaws;
n)
follow biosecurity procedures outlined by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to
reduce potential for disease outbreak;
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Bylaw 531-25
o)
keep urban hens for personal use only; and
p)
inform the Town immediately of any disease or welfare issues that may affect the
public, and of the steps taken to rectify the situation.
q)
Nuisances that are attracted to an urban hen location will be the responsibility of
the homeowner.
5.2 No person who keeps urban hens shall:
a)
sell eggs, manure, meat, or other products derived from an urban hen;
b)
slaughter any urban hen on the property;
c)
dispose of an urban hen except by delivering it to a farm, abattoir, veterinarian, or
other operation that is lawfully permitted to dispose of such; and
d)
keep an urban hen in a cage, kennel, or any other form of shelter other than a
coop, except for the purpose of temporary transport.
6.
AUTHORITY OF CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER
6.1 Without restricting any other power, duty, or function granted by the Urban Hen
Bylaw, the Chief Administrative Officer may:
a)
carry out any inspections to determine compliance with the Urban Hen
Bylaw;
b)
take any steps or carry out any actions required to enforce the Urban Hen
Bylaw;
c)
take any steps or carry out any actions required to remedy a contravention of
the Urban Hen Bylaw;
d)
establish forms for the purposes of the Urban Hen Bylaw; and
e)
delegate any powers, duties, or functions under the Urban Hen Bylaw to a
Village employee
7.
PENALTIES AND ENFORCEMENT
7.1 No person shall willfully obstruct, hinder or interfere with a Peace Officer or any
other person authorized to enforce and engaged in the enforcement of the
provisions of this Bylaw.
7.2 Any person who contravenes any provision of this Bylaw is guilty of an offense and
is liable on summary conviction to a fine of not more than Ten Thousand ($10,000)
Dollars.
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Bylaw 531-25
7.3 Where there is a specified penalty listed for an offense in Schedule "A" to this
Bylaw, that amount is the minimum specified penalty for the offense.
7.4 Where a person contravenes the same provision of this Bylaw two (2) or more times
within one twelve (12) month period, the specified penalty payable in respect of the
second or subsequent contravention shall be the amount stated in Schedule "A" for
such offenses.
7.5 In the case of an offense that is of a continuing nature, a contravention
constitutes a separate offense in respect of each day or part of a day on which
it continues.
7.6 The levying and payment of any fine or the imprisonment for any period provided in
this Bylaw shall not relieve a person from the necessity of paying any fees, charges,
or costs from which that person is liable under the provisions of this Bylaw or any
other bylaw.
7.7 Any Peace Officer who has reasonable and probable grounds to believe that any
person has contravened any provision of this Bylaw may issue and serve:
a)
a violation tag allowing a payment of the specified penalty to the Village; or
b)
a violation ticket allowing payment according to the provisions of the Provincial
Offenses Procedure Act, Revised Statutes of Alberta 2000, Chapter P-34 and
amendments thereto.
7.8 Service of a violation tag will be sufficient if it is:
a)
personally served; or
b)
served by regular mail to the person's last known mailing address.
7.9 If a violation ticket is issued in respect to an offense, the violation ticket may:
a)
specify the fine amount established by this Bylaw for the offense; or
b)
require a person to appear in court without the alternative of making a
voluntary payment.
7.10 A person who commits an offense may:
a)
if a violation ticket is issued in respect of the offense; and
b)
if the violation ticket specified the fine amount established by this Bylaw for the
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Bylaw 531-25
offense;
make a voluntary payment equal to the specified fine by delivering the violation ticket and
the specified fine to the provincial courthouse specified on the violation ticket.
8.
SEVERABILITY
8.1 It is the intention of Council that each separate provision of this Bylaw shall be deemed
independent of all other provisions herein and it is the further intention of Council that
if any provision of this Bylaw is declared invalid, all other provisions hereof shall
remain valid and enforceable.
9.
GENERAL
9.1 Any person who contravenes any provision of this Bylaw by:
a)
doing any act or thing which the person is prohibited from doing; or
b)
failing to do any act or thing the person is required to do.
is guilty of an offense and any offense created pursuant to this Bylaw is a strict liability
offense for the purposes of prosecution under this Bylaw.
9.2 Nothing in this Bylaw relieves a person from complying with any provision of any
federal or provincial law or regulation, other bylaws(s), or any requirement of any
lawful permit, order, or license.
9.3 Words in the singular include the plural and words in the plural include the singular.
9.4 Schedule "A" shall form a part of this Bylaw and may, from time to time, be amended.
9.5 No provision of this Bylaw or any action taken pursuant to any provision of this Bylaw
shall restrict, limit, prevent or preclude the Village from pursuing any other remedy in
relation to a premises as provided by the Municipal Government Act, or any other law
of the Province of Alberta.
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Bylaw 531-25
This Bylaw comes into force upon the date of the passing of the third and final reading
thereof.
Read a first time this 17th Day of November 2025
Read a second time this 17th Day of November 2025
Read a third and final time this 17th Day of November 2025
____________________________
MAYOR
Tony Steidel
____________________________
CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER
Yvonne Cosh
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Bylaw 531-25
Schedule "A"
SECTION
OFFENSE
PENALTY
1st Offense
PENALTY
2nd &
Subsequent
3.1 a)
Keep a rooster
$250
$500
3.1 b)
Keep an unlicensed urban hen
$250
$500
4.3
Fail to renew urban hen license
$250
$500
4.6
Transfer urban hen license
$250
$500
4.8
Fail to produce urban hen license upon demand
$250
$500
5.1 a)
Fail to provide adequate coop space for
number of hens
$250
$500
5.1 b)
Coop improperly located
$250
$500
5.1 c)
Fail to provide nest box or perch per urban hen
$250
$500
5.1 d)
Allow urban hen to be outside coop
$250
$500
5.1 e)
Fail to adequately provide for essential hen
behavior
$250
$500
5.1 f)
Fail to maintain coop to prevent odors
$250
$500
5.1 g)
Fail to prevent rodents/animals from entering
coop
$250
$500
5.1 h)
Fail to keep food and water in coop
$250
$500
5.1 i)
Fail to keep coop secured
$250
$500
5.1 j)
Fail to remove waste in timely manner
$250
$500
5.1 k)
Fail to properly store feed
$250
$500
5.1 I)
Fail to properly store manure
$250
$500
5.1 m)
Fail to properly dispose of manure
$250
$500
5.1 n)
Fail to follow biosecurity procedures
$250
$500
5.1 o)
Keep urban hens for other than personal use
$250
$500
5.1 p)
Fail to inform of any disease or welfare issues
$250
$500
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Bylaw 531-25
5.2 a)
Sell products derived from urban hens
$250
$500
5.2 b)
Slaughter urban hen on property
$250
$500
5.2 c)
Unlawfully dispose of urban hen
$250
$500
5.2 d)
Keep urban hen in other form of shelter other
than coop
$250
$500
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Bylaw 531-25
Schedule "B"
VILLAGE OF DUCHESS
URBAN HEN LICENSE APPLICATION
PLEASE PRINT AND COMPLETE THE ENTIRE FORM
Name of
Applicant:
Complete
Mailing Address:
If different than mailing
Address location of urban hens
Phone
Number(s):
Email
Address:
Number of Chickens
At This Location: (Max. 6)
Circle One:
Owner
Tenant**
**if tenant, a letter of authorization is
required from the registered property
owner, along with this application
form
Urban Hen Licenses are effective until December 31, 20 , and are required
to be renewed annually.
(Applicant must be 18 years of age or older)
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Bylaw 531-25
FOR OFFICE USE ONLY
Criteria to be met
Compliance
Yes or No
Comments:
❖ Payment received with complete
Application
❖ Received consent from 50% or
more of the neighbours;
(attach letters)
❖ Property on which the hens will
be kept is a detached or semi-
detached dwelling;
❖ Land Use Districting of the property
on which the hens will be kept
allows the placement of a coop;
❖ Training Class completed
❖ Approved Site Plan
________________ _________________
Approving Officer
Date: YYYY/MM/DD
Urban Hen License No:
Date:
Signature:
Please initial once read:
Licence is for 2025.
I have read and accept the Terms and Conditions contained in Village of Duchess Bylaw No. 531-25.
I have attached letters of consent from 50% or more of the neighbours having contiguous boundaries.
I acknowledge that I am required to apply for a Premises Identification Number through the Alberta
Agriculture and Forestry online at www.agriculture.alberta .ca/premises or paper application obtained from
Rural Development (ARD) Field Office throughout Alberta.
I certify that I will abide by all regulations after I have received my License, knowing that failure to comply
may result in cancellation of the Urban Hen License.
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Bylaw 531-25
Follow-up after Approval
Compliance
Yes or No
Comments:
❖ There are no roosters on site
❖ Chicken coop is in the rear yard and
located in accordance
❖ At least one nest box per coop and
one perch per hen, that is at least
15 cm long;
❖ The coop is constructed to prevent
rodents from harbouring
underneath or within its wall, and to
prevent entrance by other animals;
❖ Applied for and received the
Premises Identification (PID)
number within 30 days of assuming
ownership of hens
_______________________________
Reviewing Officer
Date: YYYY/MM/DD