food production;

urban agriculture;

urban chickens;

livestock 

Chickens

10.4.1 No person may:

(a) keep a rooster of any age;

(b) keep a chicken that is less than 4 months old;

(c) keep more than 6 chickens on any one lot, as defined by the Zoning Bylaw, despite the number of dwelling units permissible on that lot;

10.4.2 A person who keeps one or more chickens must:

(a) register the chickens with the District by filling out all fields of the chicken registration form and submitting it to the District;

(b) construct and maintain a chicken enclosure, including a chicken coop and a chicken run;

(c) provide and maintain a floor of any combination of vegetated or bare earth in each chicken enclosure;

(d) provide and maintain in the chicken coop at least one perch, for each chicken, that is at least 15 cm long, and at least one nest box per chicken coop;

(e) construct and maintain each chicken enclosure to prevent any rodent from harbouring underneath or within it or within its walls, and to prevent entrance by any other animal;

(f) secure all food containers indoors or in a manner to prevent access by vermin, wildlife and other animals;

(g) remove leftover feed, trash, and manure in a timely manner so as to prevent obnoxious odours, attraction of pests and wildlife, or conditions that could interfere with the health and well being of a chicken;

(h) follow bio-security procedures recommended by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency;

(i) keep chickens for personal use only, and not sell, trade or barter eggs, manure, meat, or other products derived from the chickens;

(j) not slaughter, or attempt to euthanize, a chicken on the property;

(k) not bury a chicken on the property;

(l) not dispose of a chicken except by delivering it to the pound keeper, or to a farm, abattoir, veterinarian, or other facility that has the ability to dispose of chickens lawfully;

(m) not keep a chicken in a cage other than a chicken enclosure unless for the purpose of transport;

(n) ensure that all chickens are kept within a secure and locked coop from dusk until dawn or from 9:00 p.m. where dusk falls later than 9:00 p.m. until 7:00 a.m. where dawn occurs earlier than 7:00 a.m.;

(o) ensure that each chicken remains at all other times in the chicken enclosure;

(p) not deposit manure in the municipal sewage or storm drain system.

urban chickens;

livestock;

POULTRY

38.1 No person shall keep any poultry on any parcel of land having an area less than 1,114.8 square metres (12,000 sq. ft.).

38.2 No person shall keep or harbour any poultry on any parcel of land larger than 1,114.8 square metres (12,000 sq. ft.) in greater numbers than specified below:

 38.3 Notwithstanding s.38.1, a maximum of five hens are permitted on any parcel in a single family residential zone or rural zone having an area less than 1,114.8 m2 (12,000 sq. ft.) provided:...

See documents for additional regulations for the keeping of poultry. 

food production;

urban agriculture;

beekeeping/apiculture;

pollinators;

BEES

48.1 No person shall keep or harbour any bees on any parcel of land unless:

a) the parcel is located within any A Zone.

b) the parcel is located within any RS Zone and has an area greater than 465 m2 (5,005 sq. ft.).

Limitation

48.2 No person shall keep more than four hives on any parcel of land in any RS Zone.

Placement of Hives

49. Except where any hive or other device for the housing of bees is contained within a greenhouse, no person shall place any hive or any other device for the housing of bees on any parcel of land within 6.05 metres (20 feet) of any property line.

food production;

urbn agriculture;

beekeeping/apiculture;

pollinators;

livestock'

Requirements for keeping bees

21 (1) A person who keeps bees must (a) provide adequate water for the bees on the person’s property,

(b) maintain the bees in a condition that will reasonably prevent swarming, and

(c) keep hives at least 7.6 m away from each property line, unless there is a solid fence or hedge at least 1.8 m tall parallel to the property line.

(2) The Fence Bylaw applies to a fence erected in accordance with paragraph (1)(c).

urban agriculture;

food production;

zoning;

urban gardens/orchard;

urban agriculture;

water management;

food production;

urban gardens/orchard;

stormwater management;

pilot project;

[Implement the City’s Greenways Plan as shown in Map 6, seeking opportunities to enhance recreational opportunities, identity, green features and the pedestrian and cycling experience by]...

...Piloting green infrastructure and urban food production in greenways

food production;

food processing, storage and distribution;

food access, sales and procurement;

nutrition and public health;

economic development;

partnerships/advocacy/liaising;

food processing;

wildlife and ecosystem management;

local food culture;

Participate in coordinated community and regional efforts to develop a more sustainable food system that considers all stages of the food system as shown in Figure 18, and that:

17.1.1 Contributes to the economic development, environmental management, and social well-being of Victoria and the region;

17.1.2 Encourages local and regional food production and processing, and protection of productive farmland;

17.1.3 Recognizes access to safe, sufficient, culturally appropriate and nutritious food as a basic need for all citizens;

and,17.1.4 Celebrates local food culture, cuisine, and indigenous and local food traditions.

urban agriculture;

food production;

urban gardens/orchard;

edible landscaping;

Review and develop City policy to increase the number of allotment gardens, commons gardens, edible landscapes, food-bearing trees and other types of food production activities that considers other uses and identifies:

17.4.1 The land types and potential City-held sites where different food production activities might be supported;

17.4.2 The roles and responsibilities of participants; 

17.4.3 Mechanisms to encourage and support food production sites on City-held lands, other publicly-held lands, and on private lands;

and 17.4.4 Mechanisms to acquire land for food production purposes, where appropriate.

urban agriculture;

food production;

urban agriculture;

wildlife/environmental/pest management;

food production;

urban gardens/orchard;

pilot project;

food production;

urban agriculture;

food production;

urban agriculture;

urban gardens/orchard;

urban agriculture;

food production;

urban gardens/orchard;

residential development;

urban chickens;

beekeeping/apiculture;

pollinators;

livestock;

Support the keeping of small livestock in the city by:

17.13.1 Maintaining regulatory support for the keeping of poultry and honeybees;

and,17.13.2 Reviewing regulations to consider the keeping of other small livestock for food production, appropriate to an urban environment, in collaboration with senior levels of government and the health authority.

zoning;

urban farm;

urban farm;home occupations/ home-based business;

commercial development;

institutional development;

residential development;

greenhouses;

Explore expanded small-scale commercial urban agriculture through a review of policy and regulations to consider the opportunities for, and implications of:

17.14.1 Enabling infrastructure and human resources needed to support small-scale commercial urban agriculture as a home occupation;

17.14.2 Using residential accessory buildings for commercial agricultural purposes; and, 17.14.3 Allowing commercial urban agriculture uses, including greenhouses, in commercial and industrial zones.

waste management;

urban agriculture;

food production;

food processing, storage and distribution;

pilot project;

food processing;

food recovery/gleaning/donation;

food processing;

farmland trust;

partnerships/advocacy/liaising;

Work with neighbouring municipalities, the Capital Regional District, the provincial government and other food system stakeholders to increase the regional food supply by:

17.19.1 Establishing policies, tools and initiatives to protect and expand working farmland, such as a regional farmland trust; and,

17.19.2 Implementing strategies to support and re-establish key food system infrastructure such as meat, fruit and vegetable processing facilities. 

nutrition and public health;

food sales, access and procurement;

emergency preparedness;

research and data collection;

emergency preparedness;

climate change and greenhouse gases;

composting;

commercial development;

residential development;

Encourage the Capital Regional District to undertake a regionally coordinated approach to the recycling of food waste that retains biological nutrients regionally by:

17.26.1 Promoting household composting systems;

17.26.2 Establishing a household organic waste collection program with opportunities for finished compost to be made available for farmers and other food producers within the region;

and,17.26.3 Developing strategies to encourage organic waste diversion from multi-unit housing and commercial properties.

food production;

urban agriculture;

beekeeping/apiculture;

pollinators;

livestock;

Beekeeping:

Notwithstanding Section 304, the keeping of ‘bees’ are permitted as an accessory use to a ‘dwelling, single family’, ‘dwelling duplex’ or in any Public (P) zone provided that:

a) Not more than two ‘beehives’ and two ‘nucleus colonies’ are permitted on ‘lots’ equal to or less than 1,000 m2 in area.

b) Not more than four ‘beehives’ and four ‘nucleus colonies’ are permitted on ‘lots’ larger than 1,000 m2 in area.

c) Each ‘beehive’ and ‘nucleus colony’ shall be located to the rear of the principal building on a ‘lot.

d) Each ‘beehive’ and ‘nucleus colony’ shall comply with one of the following siting requirements: i. be raised a minimum of 2.5 m above grade; ii. be located a minimum of 7.5 m from all ‘lot’ lines; or iii. be behind a continuous ‘fence’ or hedge a minimum of 1.8 m in height located parallel to an adjacent property line and extending a minimum of 6.0 m horizontally beyond the ‘beehive’ or ‘nucleus colony’ in either direction.

e) In the P zones: i. written permission is obtained from the property owner; and ii. the keeping of ‘bees’ is for educational purposes.

siting and coverage;

ALR;

See document for siting and coverage regulations for buildings and structures in Agricultural Zone A1.

farm home plate;

ALR;

‘Farm Home Plate’ and ‘Farm Home Plate’ – ‘Migrant Farm Worker Housing’:

See document for regulations and related to farm home plate in Agricultural Zone A

residential development;

farm worker accommodation:

ALR;

Area of a ‘Farm House’, ‘Additional Farm House’ or ‘Migrant Farm Worker Housing’:

See document for regulations and related to area of a farm house,  additional farm house or migrant farm worker housing in Agricultural Zone A.

residential development;

ALR;

Additional Farm House:

See document for regulations and related to additional farm house in Agricultural Zone A1.

farm worker accommodation;

ALR;

‘Migrant Farm Worker Housing‘:

See document for regulations related to migrant farm worker housing in Agricultural Zone A1.

food processing, storage and distribution;

‘Agricultural Product’ and ‘Mushroom Growing Medium’ Storage, Processing and Preparation:

A minimum of 50% of the total volume of the ‘Agricultural Products’ or ‘Mushroom Growing Medium’ stored on a ‘Lot’ or processed or prepared by ‘On-farm Processing’ or ‘On-Farm Product Preparation’ on a ‘Lot’:

a) must be consumed as animal feed or used in the production of mushrooms, on a farm owned or operated by the owner or lessee of the ‘Lot’: or

b) must have been harvested, grown, raised, or produced on a farm owned or operated by the owner or lessee of the ‘Lot’.

composting;

ALR;

Agricultural Waste Management and ‘On-Farm Composting’

See document for regulations related to agricultural waste management and 'on- farm' composting in Agricultural Zone A1.

farm retail/gate sales

ALR;

Farm Retail Sales

See document for regulations related to farm retail sales in Agricultural Zone A1.

farm home plate;

farm residence maximum setback;

FARM HOME PLATE

1) A farm residence and all farm residence accessory facilities must be located within the farm home plate.

2) The area of the farm home plate is limited to the greater of 10% of the lot area or 1000m2 , up to a maximum of 2000m2 .

3) A farm residence must be entirely located within an area no more than 50m from the front lot line or the exterior side lot line, whichever provides access to the farm residence. 4) Farm residence accessory facilities on lots with a lot width of more than 33m must be entirely located within an area no more than 60m from the front lot line or the exterior side lot line, whichever provides access to the farm residence.

urban agriculture;

food production;

beekeeping/apiculture;

pollinators;

livestock;

ACCESSORY HOBBY BEEKEEPING

14.1. Accessory hobby beekeeping must comply with the following regulations:

a. A maximum of 2 beehives and 2 nucleus colonies may be located on a lot;

b. The lot must have a minimum width of 14 metres (46 ft.);

c. A beehive or nucleus colony must not be located in a front or side yard;

d. A beehive or nucleus colony must not be located within 2 metres (6.6 ft.) of a rear lot line; and,

e. A solid fence or landscape screen with a minimum height of 2 metres (6.6 ft) must enclose a rear yard containing a beehive or nucleus colony.

food production;

urban agriculture;

urban chickens;

livestock;

FARM ANIMALS

Poultry, Pigeons or Doves - No poultry, pigeons, or doves shall be kept in any part of a dwelling house or in any store or other place of business, except in a business licensed through the Town of Smithers to sell or keep such fowl.

Permitted Areas for Hens

ln residential zones R-l, R-2, R-6 and P-1 in auxiliary to a Community Garden (as well as existing permitted zoned R-7 and A-1 and the Fall Fair Grounds) the keeping of hens will be permitted for personal use, provided that no neighbourhood health, environmental or nuisance problems result.

Keeping of Hens

The keeping of hens for domestic purpose is permitted as an auxiliary use to a detached, singte-family dwelling on any lot with an area greater than 550mt ¡5,920 f() in R-1, R-2, R-6 and P-1 Zones, subject to the following conditions:

a) The owner of the propefty resides on the property where the hens are kept, or obtains written permission from the property owner;

b) Roosters are prohibited;

c) The keeping of hens is limited to a maximum of: i. six (6) hens as an auxiliary use for a detached, single-family dwelling; ii. twelve (12) hens on a P-1 property in conjunction with a Community Garden; iii. twelve (12) poultry for each 0.4 ha of parcel area in zones A-1 or R-7.

d) Hens must be kept in a run that is: i. fenced on all sides and entirely covered from above in a manner that will keep predators and vermin from entering and hems from escaping; ii. of sufficient size to provide at least 1.0 m' (10.76 f() of roofed outdoor enclosure per hen; and iii. sited at least 3.0 m (9.84 ft) from the principal building and 1.5 m from the side or rear property line, while being located to the side or rear of the principal building.

e) At least one (1) coop must be provided in such a way that it: i. is kept clean and be monitored daily for suitable cleanliness; ii. is sited at least 3.0 m (9.84 ft) from the principal building and 1.5 m from the side or rear property line, while being located to the side or rear of the principal building; iii. altows at least 0.5 mz (ffi f() of coop floor area per hen; and iv. includes af /easf one perch no shorter than fifteen (15) cm, per hen and one nest box, per 4 hens

 f) All hens must be provided sufficient food, water, shelter, light, ventilation, veterinary care; and opportunities for essential behaviors such as scratching, dust-bathing, and roosting; to maintain good health; 6-4. TOWN OF SMITHERS BYLAW NO. 1780 Page 10

g) That feed be stored in such a manner as to not provide an attractant to bears, other wildlife, or vermin;

h) Manure must be stored within a fully enclosed structure, with no more than O.O8*t P fÛ of manure stored at one time;

i) All manure not used for composting or fertilizing must be removed from the property;

j) Biosecurity procedures musf be followed as recommended by the Canadian Food lnspection Agency;

k) Hens are permitted for personal use only, and selling eggs, manure, meat, or other products derived from hens is prohibited;

l) Slaughtering or euthanizing hens within Town limits is prohibited unless at a certified facility; and m) Backyard hen flocks must be registered for a fee of $15 with the Town of Smithers by completing Schedule 'C' of this Bylaw.

KEEPING OF FARM ANIMALS

No person shall cause or permit any cattle or farm animals to be kept or harboured within the Town, whether on private property or not, unless as allowed in the R-7 Rural Residential Hobby Farm, A-1 Agricultural Zone, or as allowed on the Fall Fair Grounds.

urban agriculture;

urban-agriculture conflict and edge planning;

urban farm;

nuisance complaints;

Urban Agriculture

a) Urban agriculture shall not generate pedestrian or vehicular traffic, or parking, in excess of that which is characteristic of the Zone in which it is.

b) Urban agriculture activity shall not generate odour, waste, noise, smoke, glare, fire hazard, visual impact, or any other hazard or nuisance, in excess of that which is characteristic of the Zone in which it is located under normal circumstances wherein no urban agriculture exists.

waste management;

urban agriculture;

urban agriculture;

food sales, access and procurement;

farm retail/gate sales;

urban farm;

urban agriculture;

food production;

beekeeping/apiculture;

polinators;

livestock;

e) Beekeeping (beekeeping for domestic purposes) is permitted on all lots allowing urban agriculture provided that:

i) lots have a minimum lot width of 15.0metres (49.2feet);

ii) lots have a minimum lot area is 550.0square metres (1,804.4sqaure feet); Zoning Bylaw No. 1027, 2016 Page 43 As Adopted September 6, 2016 Part 4 – Additional Zoning Regulations for Certain Uses or Circumstances

iii) a solid fence or dense hedge, known as a “flyway barrier,” at least 1.8metres (6.0feet) in height, shall be placed along the side of the hive that contains the entrance to the hive, and shall be located within 1.5metres (5.0feet) of the hive and shall extend at least 0.6metres (2.0feet) on either side of the hive. No such flyway barrier shall be required if all beehives are located at least 7.6metres (25.0feet) from all property lines and for hives that are located on porches or balconies at least 3.0metres (10.0feet) abovegrade, except if such porch or balcony is located less than 1.5metres (5.0feet) from a property line;

iv) hives shall be at least 6.0metres (19.6feet) from any neighbouring house, sidewalks, streets and public areas (e.g., parks);

v) honey bees shall be housed in hives;

vi) hives shall be registered with the Provincial authority, BC Ministry of Agriculture and Lands (BCMAL) [for additional information contact the Provincial Apiculturist Apiary Inspector];

vii) only two hives with colonies shall be permitted on each lot;

viii) hives shall be securely located to prevent accidental disturbance or trespass by people and pets, and to prevent damage from wildlife;

ix) hives shall be equipped with adequate ventilation and near a water source; x) honey production is for personal consumption only; and

xi) beekeeping is not permitted in multi-family residential areas, including strata developments, or commercial and industrial areas.

urban agriculture;

food production;

urban chickens;

livestock;

f) The keeping of hens is permitted on all lots allowing urban agriculture use, provided that:

i) a coop and run shall be located at least 1.5metres (4.9feet) from all property lines unless there is a solid barrier such as a wall or fence;

ii) coops and runs shall not be located within a 4.5metre (14.8feet) buffer of habitable structures on adjacent property(ies);

iii) runs shall not exceed 4.5metres (14.8feet) in height;

iv) hens shall only be located in the rear yard;

v) the maximum number of hens shall be six (6) per lot;

vi) roosters are not permitted;

vii) sales of eggs, manure and other products associated with the keeping of hens are prohibited;

viii) coops and runs shall be maintained in a clean condition and the coop shall be kept free of obnoxious odours, substances and vermin;

ix) stored manure shall be kept in an enclosed structure such as a compost bin and no more than 3.0cubic metres (105.9cubic feet) shall be stored at any one time;

x) manure shall be disposed of in accordance with municipal bylaws; hen waste must be solid and bagged; and

xi) home slaughter of hens is prohibited and any deceased hens shall be disposed of at a livestock disposal facility or through the services of a veterinarian.

food production;

urban agriculture;

urban agriculture;

food sales, access and procurement;

urban farm;

farm retail/gate sales;

Market Gardens

a) In zones permitting market gardens, the following is permitted:

i) only food and value-added products made from produce grown on site may be sold;

ii) selling requires a Business License from the Village;

iii) sales are only allowed between 7am and 9pm; iv) sales are allowed up to six months between April 1 and September 30 in each calendar year; and v) only one sign is permitted per lot (see Part 5.0 Signage).

urban agriculture;

urban- agriculture conflict and edge planning;

nuisance complaints;

urban farm;

b) Market gardens must not:

i) generate pedestrian or vehicular traffic, or parking, in excess of that which is characteristic of the Zone in which it is located;

ii) generate odour, waste, noise, smoke, glare, and fire hazard, visual impact, or any other hazard or nuisance, in excess of that which is characteristic of the Zone in which it is located under normal circumstances wherein no urban agriculture exists;

iii) Include the growing and sale of mushrooms;

iv) include composting for producing mushroom growing media; and v) include medical marihuana facilities, marihuana dispensary, or any portion thereof, or be used for the growing of marihuana or other controlled substances.

urban agriculture;

food sales, access and procurement;

farm retail/gate sales

urban farm;

signs in agricultural areas;

...b) Signs pertaining to the commercial components on a lot where a mixed use, residential multifamily, commercial, public assembly, industrial, agricultural, or retail development is permitted, provided that the signs permitted by this Part shall only be located on those portions of the lot and building that contain the commercial component. ....

urban agriculture;

land access;

urban agriculture;

education;

urban gardens/orchard;

community food system education;

urban farm;

farm retail/farm gate sales;

urban agriculture;

food processing, storage and distribution;

food distribution;

urban farm;

farmers' markets;

edible landscaping;

commercial development;

institutional development;

residential development;

urban gardens/orchard;

edible landscaping;

food production;

education;

urban agriculture;

beekeeping/apiculture;

pollinators;

community food system education;

livestock; 

food production;

education;

urban agriculture;

urban chickens;

community food system education;

livestock; 

community kitchen;

residential development;

food sales, access and procurement;

nutrition and public health;

food sales, access and procurement;

nutrition and public health;

mobile/street food vending; 

pilot project;

grocery stores;

local procurement;

mobile/street food vending;

food sales, access and procurement;

economic development;