Backyard Chickens

Following a three (3) year pilot program licensing the keeping of backyard chickens, Council has approved the continuance of the licensing program, with a limit of no more than 25 licenses being issued across the Township annually.

• Backyard Chickens Licensing By-law No. 2023-087

Each year applications will be received and considered in sequence; however, priority will be given to applicants who are renewing their existing license. Once the limit of 25 licenses has been met applicants will be waitlisted in sequence.

Waitlisted applicants will be contacted in sequence as licenses become available. Contacted waitlists will have 30 days to advise staff if they wish to proceed with processing their submitted application.

To be approved to have backyard chickens, you must submit a complete application with the required supporting documents to the Clerks department for approval. Backyard Chicken License Holders wishing to continue their participation are required to renew their license annually, as it will expire on March 31 of each year. Renewing applicants may lose their license if they fail to renew before the deadline.

Current Licenses and Waitlist Numbers:

• There are currently 13 active licenses and 12 available licenses.
• There are currently 1 pending applications
• There are currently 0 waitlisted applicants.

These numbers will be updated regularly to reflect current numbers. 

Application Forms:

To be approved to have backyard chickens, you must submit a complete application with the required supporting documents to the Clerks department for approval. Applicants are required to renew their license annually, as it will expire on March 31 of each year.

• Application Form
• Renewal Form

All applicants including renewals are required to review the following education materials:

1. Keeping Your Birds Healthy (OMAFRA);
2. Biosecurity Recommendations for Small Flock Poultry Owners (OMAFRA);
3. Small Flock Poultry: Raising Healthy Birds (OMAFRA);  
4. Rodent Control in Livestock and Poultry Facilities (OMAFRA); and,
5. Keeping your family healthy with backyard poultry, including chicks and ducklings (Ministry of Health).

For further information, please contact the Clerk's Department.