Backyard Chickens

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Backyard Chicken Licenses

All hen coops within the City of Revelstoke must be licensed. To obtain your hen coop license:

  1. Download and complete the Hen Coop Application Form. 
  2. Email the completed form to our Finance department, or visit them in person at City Hall. 


Backyard Chicken Regulations

  1. Minimum Lot Size Standards: Hens are conditionally allowed to be kept on property zones for single-family residential use. Hens are not permitted on multi-family or mobile home park lots.
  2. Number of Hens: Up to five hens may be kept on any property with a single-family dwelling. Roosters are NOT permitted within the City of Revelstoke. Other types of poultry are not permitted. 
  3. Hen Keeping Standards: Slaughtering of hens on single-family lots is not permitted. Hens, at the end of their life, will need to be taken to a veterinarian, farm, or sold at a poultry auction or abattoir. The sale of eggs is also prohibited, as backyard hens are kept for personal use only.
  4. Coop Standards and Setbacks: Every building (coop) or enclosure used to accommodate hens must be located in the rear and/or side yard of the lot behind and/or beside the dwelling; a minimum of 5.0 metres (16.4 feet) from any neighbouring property’s windows or doors; at grade level suggested no more than 2.0 metres (6.6 feet) in height; provide 0.5 square metres (5.38 square feet) per hen of floor area (maximum size of coop and hen enclosure combined = 7.5 square metres (80.73 square feet) in area; provide one perch and one nest per hen; hen enclosures must be covered entirely on all sides and top; Coop must have a water tight roof covering. 
  5. Care of Hens: Owners should be educated and ensure proper maintenance and humane care for the hens. Owners must abide by Provincial and Federal standards for the care of poultry. 
  6. City Requirements: Owners must pay a one-time license fee. Owners must notify the City of Revelstoke when they no longer have hens on the property. Feed must be enclosed in an air-tight container outside of the hen enclosure and must not be located in an area accessible by wildlife and animals.