This is the exact embedded text of the captured official document.
Snapshot bcdca52f9c30 · verified 2026-08-28 ·
original document ·
archived snapshot ·
unofficial consolidation, the official version is held by the municipal clerk.
CORPORATION OF THE TOWNSHIP OF ADMASTON/BROMLEY
BY-LAW No. 2023-61
A BY-LAW TO REGULATE BACKYARD CHICKENS.
WHEREAS Subsection 11 of the Municipal Act, 2001, S.O. 2001, c 25, as
amended, permits a municipality to enact a by-law respecting matters within the
animal sphere of jurisdiction;
AND WHEREAS the Township of Admaston/Bromley Council considers it
advisable to pass such a by-law regarding the keeping of backyard chickens;
THEREFORE the Council of the Township of Admaston/Bromley enacts as
follows:
1.
Definitions:
"Administration Department" means the Township Office Staff, includes all
staff that work in the township office.
"Agricultural Property" means a property that is zoned for agricultural use in
the Township's Zoning By-law.
"Animal Control Officer" means an authorized employee or agent of the
Township of Admaston/Bromley or By-Law Enforcement, who is responsible for
the enforcement of the provisions of this by-law.
"At Large" means, in the case of backyard chickens, means being outside of a
fenced area.
"Backyard Chicken" means a domestic fowl kept for its eggs and/or meat.
"Chicken Run" means a covered secure enclosure that allows backyard
chickens access to the outdoors.
"Coop" means a fully enclosed weatherproof building where backyard chickens
are kept and which the interior includes nest boxes for egg laying, perches for the
backyard chickens to sleep on and food and water containers.
"Council" means the Council of the Township of Admaston/Bromley.
"Dwelling" means a self-contained residential unit.
"Highway" means all land between the lateral boundaries of every provincial,
county and municipal highway within the Township.
"Home Occupation" means any occupation for gain or support which is carried
on as an accessory use either within a dwelling or dwelling unit and operated by
members of the one family residing in a dwelling or dwelling unit (Zoning By-
Law).
"Keep" means to have temporary or permanent custody or control of an animal,
and "keeps" and "kept" have corresponding meanings.
"Minor" means a person who has not attained the age of eighteen years.
"Mobile Slaughterhouse" means a mobile slaughterhouse that will come to the
property to slaughter the backyard chickens.
"Owner" includes any person who possesses, harbours, or keeps an animal or
fowl and, where an owner is a minor, includes the person who is responsible for
the custody of the minor.
"Property" means a parcel of land and any buildings or other structures on the
land.
"Residential Property" means a property that is zoned for residential use in the
Zoning By-law that applies to the property.
"Rooster" means an adult make chicken (an adult make chicken becomes a
rooster approximately one year or when or when it begins to crow).
"Rural Area" means the areas that are designated in the Township's Zoning By-
Law as rural use.
"Township" means the Township of Admaston/Bromley.
"Under the Control of its Owner" means being physically restrained by some
other effective method by its owner or by another person acting on the owner's
behalf.
"Zoning By-Law" means a by-law passed under Section 34 of the Planning Act
that restricts the use of land.
2.
Application:
2.1
Except as otherwise provided, the regulations established by this
by-law apply to all backyard chickens within the boundaries of the
Township and to the owners of such backyard chickens.
2.2
Applicant Declaration that they have read and understood all
information provided by the following agencies:
a)
Bird Health Basics - Canadian Food Inspection Agency
b)
Small Flock Poultry: Raising Healthy Birds - OMAFRA
c)
Rodent Control in Livestock and Poultry Facilities - Ministry
of Health
d)
Keeping Your Family Healthy with Backyard Poultry,
including chickens and ducklings - Ministry of Health
2.3
Shall provide a Site Plan of the placement of the chicken coop and
chicken run on the property.
2.4
The chicken coop and chicken run shall follow the Ontario Building
Code and if a building permit is required, one must be applied for.
3.
Administration:
3.1
The Township Office Staff is responsible for the administration of
this by-law.
3.2
Every application (attached as Schedule 'A') for a chicken coop
permit or for the renewal of such a permit shall be submitted to the
Township Office in the form provided.
3.3
Every application for a permit will be reviewed by Township staff,
the Animal Control Officer and the Chief Building Official to
determine whether it meets the requirements of this by-law and,
has part of this review, will be circulated to the County of Renfrew
Planning Division and the County of Renfrew Health Unit.
3.4
These agencies or individuals identified in 3.3, as part of their
review, may require an inspection of the property, other than a
room or place used as a dwelling.
3.5
If it is determined that an application meets the requirements of
this by-law, the Township Office will issue the permit.
3.6
There is a fee to obtain a permit. (Fees & Charges By-Law)
3.7
If, at any time, the Township staff or the Animal Control Officer or
their designates determine, as a result of evidence that is
provided, that the operation of the chicken coop does not conform
to the requirements of this by-law, they may suspend or revoke the
permit.
4.
Regulations for the Keeping of Backyard Chickens:
4.1
The regulations set out in section 4 do not apply to property that is
2 or more hectares in size.
4.2
(a)
No person shall keep backyard chickens anywhere within the
Township unless they have first obtained a Backyard Chicken
Permit (attached as Schedule 'B').
(b)
No person shall keep roosters as backyard chickens.
(c)
Every person who holds a Backyard Chicken Permit shall
allow, at any reasonable time, the Animal Control Officer or other
authorized employee or agent of the Township to inspect the
property for the provisions of this by-law for a permit and to
respond to complaints for the provisions of this by-law.
(d)
Every person who holds a Backyard Chicken Permit shall
provide for their backyard chickens a chicken coop.
(e)
The Backyard Chicken Coop shall:
i.
Provide at least 4 square feet of floor area for each
backyard chicken.
ii.
Be enclosed on all sides and have a roof and doors.
iii.
Include a perch for each backyard chicken.
iv.
Include nest boxes.
v.
Be maintained and in good repair, in a clean, dry and
sanitary condition, free from vermin.
vi.
Be constructed and maintained to prevent wildlife
from harbouring underneath or within it or within its walls,
and to prevent entrance by any other animal.
(f)
Backyard chickens must be provided with food, water,
shelter, light, ventilation and opportunities for essential behaviours
such as scratching, dustbathing and roosting, all sufficient to
maintain backyard chickens in good heath.
(g)
Chicken coops and chicken runs are not permitted in any
front or side yard.
(h)
Chicken coops and chicken runs shall be a distance of at
least 3.0 metres from the rear lot line and at least 3.0 metres from
any side lot line of the dwelling lot on which the chicken coop is
located.
(i) Chicken coops and chicken runs shall be located at least 30
metres from any school, church or business.
(j) The keeping of backyard chickens shall be permitted as an
accessory use to a dwelling unit.
(k)
A maximum amount of backyard chickens shall be by the
property size and is as follows:
i.
Properties under .25 Hectare (0.6 acre)
-
Maximum of 4 Backyard Chickens
ii.
Minimum of .25 Hectare (0.6 acre)
-
Maximum of 6 Backyard Chickens
iii.
Minimum of .5 Hectare (1.2 acre)
-
Maximum of 8 Backyard Chickens
iv.
Minimum of 1 Hectare (2.4 acre)
-
Maximum of 10 Backyard Chickens
v.
Minimum of 1.99 Hectare (4.9 acre)
-
Maximum of 12 Backyard Chickens
(l)
Tenants must obtain written permission from the property
owner to keep backyard chickens on the owner's property and shall
be submitted at the time of applying for the permit.
(m)
The owner of the backyard chickens must reside on the
property where the backyard chickens are kept.
(n)
Backyard chickens shall be kept in their chicken coops
between sunset and sunrise.
(o)
Backyard chickens shall always be secured by a fence.
(p)
Chicken coops and chicken runs shall be maintained in a
clean condition.
(q)
Stored manure shall be kept in an enclosed structure such
as a compost bin, and no more than three cubic feet shall be stored
at any one time.
(r)
Home slaughter of backyard chickens is prohibited.
(s)
Mobile slaughterhouses are permitted to attend the property
to slaughter the backyard chickens.
(t)
Backyard chickens that become deceased shall be disposed
of by burial at a minimum of 1 metre in depth.
(u)
No owner shall cause or permit their chickens to be at large.
(v)
The Backyard Chicken Permit is non-transferable.
(w)
The Backyard Chicken Permit is for the property identified on
the application.
(x)
The Backyard Chicken Permit shall be renewed annually.
5.
Offences and Penalty Provisions:
5.1
Every person who contravenes any provision of this by-law and any
person who fails to comply with an order issued under this by-law is
guilty of an offence and, upon conviction, is liable to a penalty as
provided for in the Provincial Offences Act and to any other
applicable penalties.
5.2
Every owner of an animal who contravenes any provision of this by-
law or whose animal contravenes any provision of this by-law is
guilty of an offence and, upon conviction, is liable to a penalty as
provided for in the Provincial Offences Act and to any other
applicable penalties.
5.3
If this by-law is contravened and a conviction is entered, the court in
which the conviction was entered or any Court of competent
jurisdiction may, in addition to any other remedy and to any penalty
that is imposed, make an order prohibiting the continuation or
repetition of the offence by the person convicted.
6.
Validity:
6.1
If a court of competent jurisdiction declares any provision, or any
part of a provision, of this by-law to be invalid, or to be of no force
and effect, it is the intention of Council in enacting this by-law that
each and every provision of this by-law authorized by law be
applied and enforced in accordance with its terms to the extent
possible according to law.
7.
Commencement:
7.1
This by-law comes into force and effect on January 1, 2024.
READ a first and second time this 14th day of December 2023.
READ a third time and finally passed this 14th day of December 2023.
________________________________ ______________________________
Mayor
CAO/Clerk
BY-LAW 2023-61 - SCHEDULE "A"
TOWNSHIP OF ADMASTON/BROMLEY
APPLICATION FOR THE KEEPING OF BACKYARD CHICKENS
APPLICANT INFORMATION:
Name of Applicant
Name of Property Owner
(If other than Applicant)
Address of Property
(Where chickens to be kept)
Property Size - # of Backyard Chicken
Permitted (Section 4.2 (j))
Mailing Address
(If different than above)
Telephone Number
Email
APPLICANT'S DECLARATION:
I _____________________________________________ (name of Applicant(s))
hereby declare:
1. That I have read and understood the following documents:
a. Bird Health Basics - Canadian Food Inspection Agency
b. Small Flock Poultry: Raising Healthy Birds - Ontario Ministry of
Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA)
c. Rodent Control in Livestock and Poultry Facilities - Ontario Ministry
of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA)
d. Keeping your family healthy with backyard poultry, including chicks
and ducklings - Ministry of Health
2. That I will provide for suitable housing and shelter of the chickens in my
care and will maintain such housing in a clean and wholesome state
having regard for Biosecurity Recommendations for Small Flock Owners.
3. That I will provide the chickens in my care with appropriate food, water,
space, and environmental conditions to good health and the opportunity to
socialize and engage in fundamental behaviours such as scratching,
roosting and dust bathing.
4. That I have read and understood the Backyard Chickens By-Law and will
abide by the provisions within it.
Dated this _______ day of ___________, 20______
______________________________
______________________________
Signature of Applicant
Signature of Witness
Where the applicant is a tenant, the signature of the landowner is required below
confirming that they are aware of and support the application for keeping of
Backyard Chickens on the property indicated.
______________________________
______________________________
Signature of Property Owner
Signature of Witness
BY-LAW 2023-61 - SCHEDULE "B"
TOWNSHIP OF ADMASTON/BROMLEY
SAMPLE PERMIT
TOWNSHIP OF ADMASTON/BROMLEY
Part 1 Provincial Offences Act
By-Law No. 2023-61
Backyard Chickens By-Law
Schedule "C"
Schedule of Fines
Item
Column 1
Short Form Wording
Column 2
Provision creating
or defining
offence
Column 3
Set fine
1
No Permit for Backyard Chickens
4.2 (a)
$100
2
Roosters are being kept
4.2 (b)
$100
3
No Chicken Coop provided for Backyard Chickens
4.2 (d)
$100
4
Chicken coop in front / side yard
4.2 (g)
$100
5
Chicken Coop does not follow set backs as provided -
coops must be 3 metres from rear lot line, 3 metres from
side lot line
4.2 (h)
$100
6
Chicken Coop does not follow set backs as provided -
30 meters from any school, church or business
4.2 (i)
$100
7
Too many chickens on the property
i.
Properties under .25 Hectare (0.6 acre)
- Maximum of 4 Backyard Chickens
ii.
Minimum of .25 Hectare (0.6 acre)
- Maximum of 6 Backyard Chickens
iii.
Minimum of .5 Hectare (1.2 acre)
- Maximum of 8 Backyard Chickens
iv.
Minimum of 1 Hectare (2.4 acre)
- Maximum of 10 Backyard Chickens
v.
Minimum of 1.99 Hectare (4.9 acre)
- Maximum of 12 Backyard Chickens
4.2 (k)
$100
8
Owner of backyard chickens does not reside on property
4.2 (m)
$100
9
Backyard chickens not secured by fence
4.2 (o)
$100
10
Chicken Coop Not Maintained
4.2 (p)
$100
11
Chickens at Large
4.2 (u)
$100
NOTE: The general penalty provisions for the offences listed above is section 5.1 of
By-Law 2023-61, a certified copy of which is on file.
The fine amounts listed above have been approved by the Regional Senior Justice.
Dated: May 9, 2024
Electronic Signature:
W. Vincent Clifford
Regional Senior Justice
Ontario Court of Justice - East Region