Backyard Hen Licences

Residents of zoned Residential Type 1 (R1) and are at least 1,000 m² properties who wish to obtain a backyard hen licence must complete an application, which includes a sworn declaration made in the presence of a Township Commissioner of Oaths at the municipal office at 35663 Fingal Line, Fingal, and pay a licence fee of $150 in order for a licence to be issued. Applications can also be completed by hard-copy version available version available at the municipal office. All applications will be reviewed to determine whether it meets the requirements of By-Law 2024-52.

The By-Law sets a yearly cap on the number of backyard hen licences so as not to exceed 20 approved licences per year. Once this cap has been reached, applications will be held on a waitlist in the sequence they were received. Upon licence availability, waitlisted applicants will be contacted and given 30 days to respond. Failure to inform the Township of their intention will result in their position forfeited and the subsequent applicant will be contacted.

Hen Regulations

• A backyard hen license permits the keeping of six (6) hens. "Hens" means a domesticated female chicken that is at least four months old.

• All deceased Backyard Hens shall be disposed of promptly in a sanitary manner.

• No roosters.
• Sale of eggs, manure, or other products derived from backyard hens is prohibited.
• Home slaughter on the property is prohibited.
• Owner of the hens must reside on the property where hens are kept.

Property Regulations

A person is not eligible for a Backyard Hen licence of such licence unless:

• The use or proposed use conforms with the Township’s Zoning By-law and zone provisions that apply to the property
• The property is Zoned Residential Type 1 (R1), and meets a minimum lot size of 1,000 m² (10,760 ft²).
• The property conforms to all applicable law, including but not limited to, the Health Protection and Promotion Act, laws regarding animal cruelty, and the Fire Protection and Prevention Act.
• The property complies with all other municipal By-Laws and there are no outstanding orders or unpaid fines.

Coop Regulations

Within any Residential One (R1) Zone, as defined by the Township’s Zoning By-Law, no backyard hen coop (including manure storage area) or outdoor run, shall be located within:

• Conservation Authority Regulated Area, unless a permit is granted by the Conservation Authority, as defined in the Zoning By-Law mapping
• A front yard or exterior side yard
• 2 m of any dwelling
• 3 m of any lot line
• 1.5 m of any structure
• 3 m from and downgradient of any well location to avoid potential water source contamination
• 3 m of any private sewage system (including tile bed)
• 15 m of any lot line on which a school is located

A maximum of one (1) backyard hen coop and one (1) outdoor run shall be permitted per property. A backyard hen coop shall be provided that has:

• A maximum ground floor area of 9.0 m²
• At least 0.37 m² of floor area for each hen
• A maximum height of 4.5 m

The backyard hen coop and manure storage area, exclusive of the outdoor enclosure, shall not cumulatively exceed an area of 10 m².

All backyard hen coops shall be a fully enclosed weatherproof structure or enclosure with ventilation and a heat source, built to prevent any rodent(s) from harbouring underneath or within its walls and to prevent entrance by any other animal. The interior shall include:

• At least one nesting box for egg laying
• At least one perch giving 0.3 m of space per hen
• At least one food and water container
• The floor must be constructed of a material that is resistant to moisture, mould, retains heat in the cold weather and excludes rodents and predators
• The floors must be lined with shavings, straw, or other appropriate materials to absorb manure and facilitate cleaning
• Hen boxes and a perch must be provided to accommodate all hens
• Dust bath area must be provided (helps control mites)

The backyard hen coop shall have a heat source that is a Canadian Standards Association (CSA) rated product and meets the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) standards upon installation. It is the owner's responsibility to follow the manufacturer's instructions for the heat source to ensure proper use.

All backyard hen coops must be kept in a clean and sanitary condition at all times, free of vermin, obnoxious smells and substances and in good repair.

All backyard hen coops and outdoor runs shall be secured against the entry of predators.

Backyard hens must be provided with food and clean water at all times, shelter, light and ventilation to assist in keeping the hens in good health. Food and water shall be kept in solid, rodent proof and weather proof containers. Uneaten food shall be removed in a timely manner.

All stored manure shall be covered by a fully enclosed container. No more than three (2) cubic feet of manure shall be stored. All other manure not used for composting or fertilizing shall be removed daily from the hen coop and outdoor run.

All backyard hens must be kept securely in a coop or outdoor run at all times. Backyard hens are not permitted to run at large.

The backyard hen coop must be locked from sunset to sunrise.