Backyard hens & livestock — Waterloo, Ontario

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

In the City of Waterloo, Ontario, hens permitted: True; roosters prohibited: True; livestock rule: Farm animals (cattle, horses, mules, goats, swine, sheep, etc.) shall not be kept except in areas zoned agricultural.; permit or licence: Grandfathered chicken keepers must register with the City within 60 days of bylaw approval; no fee stated. Source: Animal Control Bylaw 2009-047 (Schedule C - Fowl and pigeons), verified 2026-08-29.

Animal Control Bylaw 2009-047 (Schedule C - Fowl and pigeons) adopted bylaw
hens permitted True Schedule C s. 1(b): 'for residential purposes where fowl were being kept on the land in question at the date of the enactment of this bylaw'
roosters prohibited True Schedule C s. 12: 'Roosters are not permitted'
livestock rule Farm animals (cattle, horses, mules, goats, swine, sheep, etc.) shall not be kept except in areas zoned agricultural. s. 2.0: 'shall not be kept other than in areas zoned agricultural by the Zoning Bylaw'
permit or licence Grandfathered chicken keepers must register with the City within 60 days of bylaw approval; no fee stated Schedule C s. 10: 'Existing property owners keeping chickens have 60 days...to register with the City'
setback At least 3 m from lot line, 6.0 m from flankage line, and 15 m from any school, church, dwelling, or other premises used for human habitation Schedule C s. 2
scout note

Prohibits keeping fowl (chickens, hens, ducks, turkeys, geese) except on agriculturally-zoned land, or grandfathered where fowl were kept before the bylaw's enactment. No roosters. Coops must be 3m from lot line, 6m from flankage, 15m from dwellings.

Machine-readable: backyard-hens.json · Official website: http://www.waterloo.ca · Last verified 2026-08-29 · Backyard hens & livestock in other municipalities