Backyard hens & livestock — Port Alberni, British Columbia

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

In the City of Port Alberni, British Columbia, hens permitted: True; max hens: up to six (6) female poultry on lots less than 2,000 m2 but more than 450 m2; no more than four (4) on lots less than 450 m2; roosters prohibited: True; bees permitted: True. Source: Zoning Bylaw No. 5105, verified 2026-08-28.

Zoning Bylaw No. 5105 adopted bylaw
hens permitted True s. 6.23.3
max hens up to six (6) female poultry on lots less than 2,000 m2 but more than 450 m2; no more than four (4) on lots less than 450 m2 s. 6.23.3
roosters prohibited True s. 6.23.1
bees permitted True s. 6.23.7
livestock rule Lots less than 0.4 ha shall not be used for keeping cows, goats, horses, pigeons, or other animals except as provided in Section 6.23. s. 6.23.1 / s. 5.9.3(f) / s. 5.7.3(d)
permit or licence All persons wishing to keep bees must be registered with the BC Ministry of Agriculture s. 6.23.11
setback Poultry: at least 3 m (10 ft) from any lot line; bees: minimum 7.5 m (25 ft) from neighbouring property line; A1 zone: 25 m (82 ft) from lot lines, 9 m (29.5 ft) from dwelling on same lot s. 6.23.5; s. 6.23.9; s. 5.7.3(c)
scout note

Male poultry banned except on ALR/large lots; female poultry banned under 350 m2; up to 6 hens (4 on 350-450 m2 lots) allowed in enclosed runs on lots 450 m2-2,000 m2. Bees banned under 600 m2, then 2 hives (600-929 m2) or 4 hives (929 m2+), rear yard only, 7.5 m from property line, screened by 1.8 m fence.

Machine-readable: backyard-hens.json · Official website: https://portalberni.ca/ · Last verified 2026-08-28 · Backyard hens & livestock in other municipalities