By-law 2737 - Backyard Chicken By-law (Backyard Hen Permit System) — full text

This is the exact embedded text of the captured official document. Snapshot 8de281679979 · verified 2026-08-29 · original document · archived snapshot · unofficial consolidation, the official version is held by the municipal clerk.

THE CORPORATION OF THE TOWN OF THESSALON DRAFT BY-LAW NUMBER 2737 BEING A BY-LAW to regulate and licence the Keeping of Backyard Hens with the Municipality of the Town of Thessalon. WHEREAS, the Municipal Act, 2011, S.O. 2001, c. 27 as amended (the "Act") provides that municipaliƟes may pass by-laws respecƟng maters within the following spheres of jurisdicƟon: animals; AND WHEREAS, the Act authorizes the council of a municipality to pass by-laws to provide for a system of licences and imposed fees or charges for services or acƟviƟes provided or done by or on behalf of the municipality; AND WHEREAS, the Council of the CorporaƟon of the Town of Thessalon will undertake a limited Backyard Hen Pilot Program for a two-year period; AND WHEREAS, the Council of the CorporaƟon of the Town of Thessalon recognizes the beneﬁts of backyard chickens and deems it desirable to permit them; THEREFORE, the Council of the CorporaƟon of the Town of Thessalon hereby ENACTS AS FOLLOWS: 1. That the keeping of backyard chickens be permited by approved permit, in the Town of Thessalon subject to the provisions in Schedule 'A'; and that this by-law is known as the "Backyard Chicken By-law". 2. No person shall keep backyard chickens pursuant to this By-law, unless that person has submited an applicaƟon and receives a licence from the Town of Thessalon. 3. That any other by-laws, policies, or resoluƟons or parts of by-laws, policies or resoluƟons inconsistent with this by-law to establish and regulate the keeping of backyard hens are hereby repealed; 4. This permit forms part of a pilot program limited to ten (10) parƟcipants. Following the issuance of all available permits, a waiƟng list shall be established for eligible applicants pending program review or expansion. 5. That Schedule 'A' and Schedule 'B' atached hereto shall form part of this by-law; This By-law shall come into force and take eﬀect upon the immediate passing thereof. PASSED in Open Council this 20th day of April, 2026. ______________________________ Mayor Seal ______________________________ Clerk-Treasurer SCHEDULE A The CorporaƟon of the Town of Thessalon 187 Main Street, Thessalon, ON. P0R 1L0 705-842-2217 townoŌ[email protected] Animal Control Oﬃcer means a person or a person employed by a third-party contractor appointed by the CorporaƟon of the Town of Thessalon for the purposes of enforcing the provisions of this bylaw. At Large means a hen found at any place other than on the property of the owner of the hen outlines in their Hen Coop Permit ApplicaƟon form. Backyard Chickens means the accessory keeping of hens for the purpose of companionship as a pet or providing eggs for personal consumpƟon by occupants of a dwelling on the same lot, and does not include accessory livestock, or agricultural uses. Coop means a fully-enclosed weatherproof structure where hens are kept and the interior of which includes nest boxes for egg laying, perches for hens to roost on and food and water containers. By-law Enforcement Oﬃcer means a person or a person employed by a third-party contractor appointed by the CorporaƟon of the Town of Thessalon for the purposes of enforcing the provisions of this bylaw and other municipal By-Law's and related provincial oﬀences by authority of the Ontario Police Services Act, 1990, Chapter P. 15, SecƟon 15. Front Yard means a yard extending across the full width of the lot between the front lot line and the nearest main walls of the main building or structure on the lot. Hen means a domesƟcated female chicken that is at least four months old. Hen Run means a covered secure enclosure that allows hens access to outdoors. Licence means authorizaƟon given by Council of the Town of Thessalon issued under this By-law. Owner means any person who possesses, harbours or keeps a hen. Property Owner means the registered owner(s) of a property within the Town of Thessalon. Poultry includes game birds and roosters but does not include any bird sold as a household pet or a hen. Rear Yard means a yard extending across the full width of the lot between the rear lot line and the nearest main walls of the main building or structure on the lot. ResidenƟal Property means a lot or parcel of land containing a detached dwelling unit used for residenƟal purposes. Setback means the distance by which a building or part of a building is set back from the property line. Slaughtering means the killing of livestock for purposes that include the use of meat for food. Backyard Hens Rules and RegulaƟons 1. Roosters are not permited. 2. The applicant or licensee must reside on the lot where the hens are kept. 3. This bylaw applies to ResidenƟal Property. Notwithstanding this general applicaƟon, the keeping of hens is not permited on certain dwelling types, including but not limited to semi-detached dwellings, townhouses, duplexes, triplexes, apartments, and other forms of mulƟ-residenƟal housing. 4. You may keep backyard hens if your property meets the site requirements. 5. You may have up to 4 hens. 6. Your backyard chickens must be hens. To ensure that all chickens are female, hens must be at least 4 months old before residing on your property. 7. Hens must be kept in an enclosed hen run when not in their coop. 8. Your hen coop must meet the requirements outlined in the Town of Thessalon's Zoning By- law, such as but not limited to accessory building setbacks. 9. The slaughtering of backyard chickens/hens is prohibited. 10. Sales of eggs, manure or other products associated with the keeping of hens are prohibited. 11. All backyard chickens/hens must be kept securely in a coop or outdoor run at all Ɵmes. 12. Hens must be banded with owner contact informaƟon. 13. Backyard chicken/hen coop must be locked from 9pm to 6am. 14. All backyard hens must be kept in a clean and sanitary condiƟon at all Ɵmes, free from vermin, obnoxious smells and substances and in good repair. 15. Backyard chickens/hens must be provided with food and clean water at all Ɵmes, shelter, light, and venƟlaƟon. 16. Food and water shall be kept in solid, rodent-proof and weather proof containers. 17. A change in occupancy or ownership of the property shall make the Backyard Chicken License null and void. The new occupant and/or owner shall submit a new iniƟal applicaƟon, not a renewal applicaƟon. 18. The permit must be displayed in a clearly visible locaƟon in a window of the premises. Fees 1. To keep backyard chickens, an iniƟal fee of $50.00 along with an approved applicaƟon is required. 2. To renew your chicken license there is an annual fee of $25.00 3. All permits expire on December 31st and must be renewed by March 1st of the year of the following year. 4. Licence Fees are non-refundable. CancellaƟon of Licence The Town of Thessalon may revoke or cancel a permit where the permit holder voluntarily withdraws from the program or is found to be in contravenƟon of the terms and condiƟons of the permit or this bylaw. SCHEDULE B The CorporaƟon of the Town of Thessalon 187 Main Street, Thessalon, ON. P0R 1L0 705-842-2217 townoŌ[email protected] ApplicaƟon for Backyard Hen Licence Licences expire on December 31st of the year in which it is issued. The iniƟal licence applicaƟon fee is $50.00 and payment is due on the next page. Licences must be renewed in advance of March 1st of the following year. The annual licence renewal fee is $25.00. Applicant InformaƟon: Name(s): ________________________________________________________________ Address: ________________________________________________________________ Phone: _____________________________ Email:_______________________________ Property Owner InformaƟon (if not the same as the applicant) Property Owner Name: Mailing Address: __________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ Phone: ____________________________ Email:________________________________ Permission: I ______________________ am the property owner of the address listed above, grant permission for the occupant _______________________ to keep hens at my property listed above. ____________________________ ______________________ Property Owner Signature Date I have reviewed the atached educaƟonal resources on the keeping of backyard hens. Yes ____________ Site Plan (Mandatory): A site sketch/plan is required for new applicaƟons or for a renewal with changes to the coop/manure area. The sketch or plan shall illustrate the locaƟon and size of the coop, outdoor run and manure storage area on the property, complying with the Coop RegulaƟons (as outlined below) and set out in the By-law. A maximum of one (1) backyard chicken/hen coop and one (1) outdoor run shall be permited per property. Site plan/sketch atached to applicaƟon: _____________ Yes Applicant DeclaraƟon: 1. That I/We am/are the applicant(s) for the grant of a licence authorizing me/us to keep backyard hens pursuant to By-Law 2737 within the Town of Thessalon now and hereaŌer in force. I/We undertake to conform to the terms, condiƟons and regulaƟons set out in By-Law 2737 and understand that I must comply with all applicable regulaƟons and requirements 2. That I/We understand that any licence issued pursuant to the said applicaƟon is subject to revocaƟon. 3. That the statement contained in this applicaƟon is true to the best of my knowledge. _____________________________ ______________________ Signature of Applicant Date _____________________________ ______________________ Signature of Applicant Date Window Permit Example