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

Backyard hens & livestock — McDougall, Ontario

In the Municipality of McDougall, Ontario, hens permitted: True; max hens: Maximum of 6 hens on lots 0.18 to 0.4 hectares; maximum of 10 hens on lots greater than 0.4 hectares; no hens permitted on lots smaller than 0.18 hectares; roosters prohibited: True; permit or licence: Backyard Hen Licence required (Schedule "A"); no fee stated. Source: Backyard Hen By-law (By-law No. 2021-27), verified 2026-08-28.

Backyard Hen By-law (By-law No. 2021-27) adopted bylaw

hens permitted	True	s. 2
max hens	Maximum of 6 hens on lots 0.18 to 0.4 hectares; maximum of 10 hens on lots greater than 0.4 hectares; no hens permitted on lots smaller than 0.18 hectares	s. 3(1), s. 3(2), s. 3(3)
roosters prohibited	True	s. 5: "No person shall keep a rooster."
permit or licence	Backyard Hen Licence required (Schedule "A"); no fee stated	Schedule "A" to By-Law 2021.27
setback	Minimum 5 metres from the rear and side lot line	s. 6(2): "Setback a minimum of 5 metres from the rear, and side lot line"

scout note

Permits keeping backyard hens (no roosters) in the Residential (RR) Zone: none on lots under 0.18ha, up to 6 hens on 0.18-0.4ha lots, up to 10 on larger lots. Coops must sit behind the dwelling, 5m from rear/side lot lines, locked overnight; no selling eggs, meat or manure.