Who can have backyard hens?

Within the villages and in rural residential zones, only residents who have an approved permit can keep backyard hens on their property.

There are two types of permits for backyard hens:

  • For properties zoned Rural Residential
  • For properties zoned Residential (New Pilot Program)

To confirm the zoning of your property, contact our Planning Department.

Apply for a Permit

Residential Properties 500m²-2999m² (New Pilot Program)

This is a temporary permit as part of the one-year pilot program under By-Law 2020-90, allowing up to three hens on your residential property (between 500m² and 2999m²).

Only a limited number of permits will be approved. The pilot program will be on a first come, first-served basis.

 

Your application must include:

  • Complete Application Form for Temporary Backyard Hens Permit (500m²-2999m²);
  • Your permit fee of $50 by cash, cheque, or interac;
  • Site plan illustrating the location of the hen coop on the property, clearly marking distance to property lines, streets, dimensions, and any other structures on property;
  • Completed Neighbourhood Notification Form informing your abutting neighbours of your application.

Temporary Backyard Hens Permit (500m²-2999m²)

Neighbourhood Notification Form

Please submit your application form and required documents to the Planning Department.

 

Remember that if you are in a residential zone, even with a backyard hens permit, you cannot:

  • keep a rooster
  • keep a meat hen
  • keep an egg laying hen, other than a backyard hen for which a valid license has been issued.


Exceptions apply to where it is permitted on a hobby farm.

Rural Residential Properties 3000M² +

This permit as part of By-Law 2004-090, allows up to five hens on your rural residential property (3000m² or more).

 

Your application must include:

  • Complete Application Form for a Backyard Hens Permit (3000m² +);
  • Your permit fee of $50 by cash, cheque, or interac;
  • Site plan illustrating the location of the hen coop on the property, clearly marking distance to property lines, streets, dimensions, and any other structures on property;
  • Completed Neighbourhood Notification Form informing your abutting neighbours of your application.

Backyard Hens Permit (3000m² +)

Neighbourhood Notification Form

Please submit your application form and required documents to the Planning Department.

Fees

The annual Backyard Hens Permit fee is $50.

Your permit fee needs to be submitted with your application. If your application is denied, the amount will be reimbursed. The permit fee will not be reimbursed if your permit is revoked.

Background Information

Chickens, including backyard hens, were previously only allowed in areas zoned Agricultural. A new pilot program has been approved by Council for to allow backyard hens in residential areas until September 2021, if the applicant meets certain conditions. Once the pilot program ends, Council will review the initiative.

Only a limited number of permits will be approved under the one-year pilot program, which will be on a first come, first-served basis. It includes:

  • 7 licenses for the Village of Embrun
  • 7 licenses for the Village of Russell
  • 3 licenses for the Village of Marionville
  • 3 licenses for the Village of Limoges

The following events and documents were part of the drafting and approving process for the new pilot program:

  • Online Public Meeting on July 8, 2020 (Recording available on our YouTube page)
  • Online Survey on Residential Backyard Hens
  • Open public feedback for comments on the Draft By-Law on Licensing and Control of Urban Hens
  • Draft By-Law and public feedback on Draft-By-Law presented to Council in August 2020
  • Adoption of By-Law in October 2020

Please contact the Planning Department if you would like more information.