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

Backyard hens & livestock — Whitewater, Ontario

In the Township of Whitewater, Ontario, hens permitted: True; max hens: four (4); roosters prohibited: True; bees permitted: False. Source: By-law Number 23-05-1598 (A by-law to regulate the keeping and control of animals), verified 2026-08-29.

By-law Number 23-05-1598 (A by-law to regulate the keeping and control of animals) adopted bylaw

hens permitted	True	s. 13.1
max hens	four (4)	s. 13.1: "No person shall keep more than four (4) Backyard Chickens"
roosters prohibited	True	s. 2(d): "Roosters are not permitted"
bees permitted	False	Schedule "A": "Bees (excluding those kept by a beekeeper as part of a Farm)"
livestock rule	Ungulates (horses, cattle, swine, sheep, goats) prohibited within Township limits unless on a Farm.	Schedule "A": "Ungulates (i.e. Horses, Cattle, Swine, Sheep, Goats (any hoofed animal)"
permit or licence	Licence required; fee set out in the Fees and Charges By-law	s. 13.2: "without first obtaining a licence from the Corporation, shall pay the licence fee set out in the Fees and Charges By-law"
setback	2.5 metres from rear and side lot lines; 3 metres from windows and doors of abutting dwellings	s. 13.4(i) and s. 13.4(j)

scout note

Section 13 Backyard Chickens: max 4 hens (no roosters), coop/run in rear yard only, set back 2.5m from any lot line and 3m from neighbouring dwellings; requires a licence and coop maintenance standards.