It鈥檚 taken five years but the District of Lake Country has come up with regulations on keeping backyard chickens.
Council first asked staff for recommendations relating to the keeping of chickens in urban areas in 2019. It also requested staff not to enforce the associated regulations on urban residential lots where chickens were kept.
A staff report and proposed bylaw presented at council鈥檚 Oct. 15 meeting stated 鈥渞esidents have expressed a desire to raise chickens on lots that traditionally supported single-family residences,鈥� noting an increased number of inquiries since 2019.
鈥淥ur Official Community Plan includes policy that suggests council consider a review of the regulations to allow the keeping of chickens inappropriate residential zones and subject to controls,鈥� Brian Zurek, long term planner said.
The report recommended four hens (no roosters) be allowed on urban lots 1,000 sq. m in size (0.24 acre) in certain urban residential (RR3/RU1) zones, totalling 2,021 properties. The lots cannot have more than two dwellings.
鈥淭he analysis doesn鈥檛 identify those lots that would have more than two dwelling units,鈥� Zurek said. 鈥淚 don鈥檛 expect there are many, if any.鈥�
However, after some debate council settled on a 500 sq. m lot size and up to five hens. The change increases the number of eligible lots to 3,158.
鈥淲e have the rules embedded in the bylaw to be able to control the chickens in somebody鈥檚 yard,鈥� Mayor Blair Ireland said.
Those rules state that chickens be kept in a rear yard, contained in a coop and run and not permitted to run free. Enclosures must be maintained to prevent odours, attraction of pests or wildlife, disease or the poor health of hens. Chickens can be kept for personal use only. The sale of eggs or associated agricultural products would not be permitted.
鈥淩equirements would also provide district staff the ability to respond to neighbourhood concerns鈥nd specifically regarding nuisances relating to the keeping of birds,鈥� Zurek told council.
Coun. Michael Lewis voted against the proposed bylaw and Coun. Cara Reed was not at the Oct. 15 meeting.
The proposed bylaw will need to proceed to a public hearing.
