08/06/2026
Update: Backyard Chickens, Horses, and Bees Bylaw Under Review
The Town's rules about keeping chickens, horses, and bees are being reviewed. Here's where things stand:
Our Land Use Bylaw has included rules governing the keeping of horses, chickens, and bees since 2017. Council has asked the Town's Planning Advisory Committee (PAC) to take a closer look at the chicken-keeping rules and recommend any updates. The PAC is a volunteer committee that reviews planning and land-use matters. It includes a mix of Town councillors, appointed citizens/members at large, and ex officio members.
At its June 17 meeting, the PAC asked Town staff to prepare options for updating the rules. Those options will come back to the committee for discussion this fall.
No decisions have been made, and no changes have happened. Before anything changes, residents will get a chance to share their input, including at a public information session. After that, any recommended changes would need to go through Council, including two formal readings and a public hearing, before becoming official.
You may also see questions circulating about the Council meeting on September 24, 2026. There is a public hearing that evening, and it does involve the Land Use Bylaw, which is likely where the confusion comes from, but it concerns the Town’s drinking water supply and temporary restrictions on new development. The same meeting also includes a second reading of the Sewer Connection Bylaw (Bylaw 2026-010). Neither item is about chickens, horses, or bees. No public hearing date has been set for those rules. We’ll announce one here when it is.
We'll share an updates as the process progresses. In the meantime, if you have questions, please email [email protected]
FAQ — Backyard Chickens Bylaw Review
Q: What bylaw covers backyard chickens?
A: Section 8.3.5 of the Town's Land Use Bylaw covers the keeping of horses, chickens, and bees within Town limits.
Q: When was this bylaw put in place?
A:This section of the bylaw has been in place since 2017.
Q: What are the current rules for keeping chickens?
A: Under the current bylaw, keeping chickens requires a minimum lot size of 1 acre, with a maximum of 5 chickens. Properties that also keep a horse can have up to 1 horse and 5 chickens, with a minimum lot size of 2 acres. Animals must be securely kept on the owner's property at all times.
Q: Why is the bylaw being reviewed now?
A: Town Council referred this section of the bylaw to the Planning Advisory Committee (PAC) for review, as part of the Town's ongoing commitment to keeping its bylaws up to date.
Q: What has happened so far?
A: At its meeting on June 17, 2026, the PAC directed Town staff to bring forward options and recommendations for possible amendments to the chicken-keeping rules.
Q:Will residents get a say?
A: Yes. This is a public process. Before any changes are made, there will be a public information session where residents can provide input. The PAC will consider that input before making any recommendations to Council.
Q: Why is the bylaw being reviewed now?
A: Town Council referred this section of the bylaw to the Planning Advisory Committee (PAC) for review, as part of the Town's ongoing commitment to keeping its bylaws up to date.
Q: What has happened so far?
A: At its meeting on June 17, 2026, the PAC directed Town staff to bring forward options and recommendations for possible amendments to the chicken-keeping rules.
Q: Will residents get a say?
A: Yes. This is a public process. Before any changes are made, there will be a public information session where residents can provide input. The PAC will consider that input before making any recommendations to Council.
Q: What happens after the PAC makes a recommendation?
A: Any recommended changes would first go to a Committee of the Whole meeting, where all members of Council review the recommendation together before a formal decision is made. From there, the changes would go to Council for two readings — two separate votes, at two separate meetings — and a public hearing. Only after all of those steps could a bylaw amendment take effect.
Q; When will there be more updates?
A: The PAC does not meet again until the fall. We will share an update after that meeting.
Q: Is there a public hearing on September 24, 2026, about backyard chickens?
A: No. There is a public hearing that evening at 6:30 p.m., but it concerning a portion of the Towns Land Use Bylaw unrelated to the keeping of chickens. The same meeting includes a second reading of the Sewer Connection Bylaw (Bylaw 2026-010). Neither item deals with the keeping of chickens, horses, or bees. No public hearing date has been set for the chicken-keeping review; we’ll share that once it’s confirmed.
Q: Who can I contact with questions?
A: Contact [email protected]
