City of Vernon Animal Regulation and Animal Pound Bylaw, Bylaw No.5252

 The keeping of animals where permitted in the Zoning Bylaw as an agricultural use, shall comply with the following restrictions:

(i) In the A1, A2, A3 zones, as defined in the Zoning Bylaw, where the lot is a ½ acre (.20 ha.) in area or less: three (3) rabbits or three (3) urban hens as regulated in Schedule A, or a combination thereof are permitted.

(ii) In the A1, A2, A3 zones, as defined in the Zoning Bylaw, where the lot is more than ½ acre (.20 ha.) but less than 1 acre (.40 ha.) in PAGE 6 BYLAW NUMBER 5252 area: ten (10) rabbits or ten (10) poultry or a combination thereof are permitted.

(iii) In the A1, A2, A3 and RR zones, as defined in the Zoning Bylaw, where the lot is more than 1 acre (.40 ha.) but less than two acres (.81 ha.) in area: one (1) horse, or one (1) cow, or one (1) sheep, or one (1) other large animal; plus ten (10) rabbits or ten (10) poultry or a combination thereof are permitted.

(iv) In the RR zone, as defined in the Zoning Bylaw, where the lot is or exceeds 2 acres (.81 ha.) in area: not more than two (2) of any of horses, cattle, sheep, or a combination thereof; plus an additional (3) animals consisting of horses, cattle, or sheep, or a combination thereof if temporarily kept as part of an Animal Clinic, Minor or Major as defined in the Zoning Bylaw; plus twenty (20) rabbits or twenty (20) poultry, or a combination thereof are permitted.

(v) In the A1, A2, A3 zones, as defined in the Zoning Bylaw, where the lot is more than 2 acres (.81 ha.) in area, the number of animals and poultry is limited to a reasonable number of animals, to be determined by the poundkeeper acting reasonably, in relation to the primary or secondary uses to which the lot is put. 

food production;

urban agriculture;

livestock;

urban chickens; 

URBAN HEN REGULATIONS

1. No owner shall allow his or her urban hen to run at large.

2. No person shall keep more than 3 hens, except as an agricultural use within an agricultural zone as established by the Zoning Bylaw.

3. An owner of urban hens shall keep them on a lot that has: a) at least one single family detached dwelling on it; b) a frontage of at least 12 meters; and, c) a depth of at least 20 meters.

4. Every owner of urban hens shall provide a coop for the urban hens.

5. All coops shall be located in the rear yard of a lot and shall fully enclose the urban hens and prevent them from escaping. “Chicken tractors” may be used to move urban hens to new areas for foraging during daylight hours.

6. Rear Yard Siting of Coops a) If a property line is 23 meters or more from any neighbouring residential structure, a coop shall be located a minimum of 1 meter from the rear lot line.. b) If a property line is less than 23 meters from a neighbouring residential structure, or the neighbouring lot is vacant, a coop shall be located at least 3 meters from the rear lot line. c) Every coop shall be located at least 3 meters from any side lot line of the lot on which the coop is located. 

7. Every coop shall be designed and constructed to ensure proper ventilation and sufficient space for the urban hens and shall be maintained in accordance with good animal husbandry practices and shall keep all vermin out. Every coop shall be constructed in such a manner that a person may easily access the coop to remove feces, clean nest boxes, and undertake other maintenance of the coop and care of the urban hens.

8. All dead urban hens shall be legally disposed of immediately, and in any event, within 24 hours.

9. No backyard slaughter is allowed.

10. Hygienic storage of and prompt removal of feces is required. No accumulation of more than 1 cubic meter of composted manure is allowed.

11. All types of food supply shall be protected against vermin.

12. No person may keep urban hens unless registered with the Clerk or designate and upon paying the required fees and charges, as outlined in the City’s Fees and Charges Bylaw, as amended from time to time.

13. If the owner of urban hens suspects any urban hen is infected with a communicable disease, the owner shall immediately contain the urban hen or urban hens affected and consult a veterinarian licensed to practice in British Columbia to diagnose the condition. If the diagnosis confirms that the urban hen is infected with a communicable disease, the owner shall immediately notify the Public Health Department of Interior Health and comply with any direction that may be issued by a Public Health Inspector in this regard.