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

Backyard hens & livestock — Severn, Ontario

In the Township of Severn, Ontario, hens permitted: True; max hens: twelve (12) chickens per property; roosters prohibited: True; livestock rule: Domestic farm animals and domestic fowl permitted only in Rural (RU), Agricultural (AG), and Greenlands (GL) zones.. Source: By-law 2023-33 (as amended by 2023-77), Care, Restriction, Regulation and Prohibition of Various Animals, verified 2026-08-29.

By-law 2023-33 (as amended by 2023-77), Care, Restriction, Regulation and Prohibition of Various Animals adopted bylaw

hens permitted	True	s. 3.1 "The keeping of chickens shall be allowed in residential zones"
max hens	twelve (12) chickens per property	s. 3.1(i) "No person shall own more than a maximum of twelve (12) chickens per property"
roosters prohibited	True	s. 3.1(iii) "No person shall own roosters which are prohibited at all times"
livestock rule	Domestic farm animals and domestic fowl permitted only in Rural (RU), Agricultural (AG), and Greenlands (GL) zones.	s. 2.4 "No person shall possess or harbour any domestic farm animal or domestic fowl within the Township of Severn, save and except in or upon lands located within the Rural (RU), and Agricultural (AG), Greenlands (GL) Zones"
setback	3 metres from side lot line, 1.2 metres from rear lot line, 3 metres from abutting dwellings, 7.5 metres from any church or school	s. 3.2(ii)-(iv)

scout note

Allows up to 12 chickens per residential property (no roosters), hen coop max 3x3m/4.5m high with lot-size and setback rules; allows up to 5 rabbits; other domestic fowl/farm animals restricted to Rural/Agricultural/Greenlands zones.