Urban chickens, fair or foul?

The District of Lake Country is looking to formalize bylaws around the keeping of backyard chickens in urban areas.

While bylaws currently prohibit the keeping of poultry within an urban residential zone, those regulations have not been enforced on urban lots where chickens were kept in 2019.

“Lake Country residents have expressed a desire to raise chickens on lots throughout the district that traditionally supported single family residences,” staff wrote in its report.

“Staff propose zoning bylaws amendments that would authorize and regulate the keeping of backyard chickens on lots in urban areas.

“In addition to specific zones and minimum lot sizes, the proposed amendments would regulate backyard enclosures, required maintenance and the management of hens.”

Staff say they would also monitor the regulations and provide council with an update within 12 months of implementation.

Council had asked staff to look into the issue in 2019 and also placed a moratorium on enforcement of current regulations until that review was complete.

“Since 2019, staff have documented an increased number of inquiries into the keeping of chickens on urban residential lots in the district.”

Staff did note there have been historic concerns among residents concerning noise, odour and pest management, but also stated a number of communities in the Okanagan and across the province have created bylaws allowing poultry on residential lots.

A proposed bylaw would allow residents to keep up to four hens on rural residential or small scale multiple housing zones with a minimum lot size of 1,000 square metres and a maximum of two dwelling units.

The bylaw would also require chickens to be kept in enclosures and not allowed to run free.

Chickens could not be slaughtered on the property and the sale of eggs, manure or other products would not be permitted.

The issue will go to a public hearing if council gives first two readings to the bylaw on Tuesday.