Regulations For Backyard Hens
Kingston residents are now permitted to keep up to six hens in their backyards provided they abide by the regulations outlined below. These regulations for keeping egg-laying hens will be in place during an 18-month pilot period (beginning June 8, 2011). Applications to register for a hen coop license are available at right and must be submitted to Licensing and Enforcement Divsion at City Hall, 216 Ontario St. Those considering keeping backyard hens will need to fully understand the applicable regulations and responsibilities. Here's a run-down of what is required of those keeping a hen coop:
Anyone wishing to keep backyard hens must first register with the Building & Licensing Division:
- The license fee for a hen coop is $10 (or in accordance with and changes to the fees and licensing bylaw) renewable each calendar year, on or before December 31, with the Licensing and Enforcement Divsion.
- All hens must be at least four months old to ensure you are not getting a rooster.
- A maximum of 6 hens are permitted on a residential property.
- A tenant must obtain permission from the property owner to keep hens on the owner's property and the owner of the hens must reside on the property where the hens are kept.
- Hens must be in their coops between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. Hens can be in their run outside of these hours. Hens are not permitted to be at large (outside their coop or run) at any time.
- A coop is a fully enclosed weather proof building where hens are kept and includes nest boxes for egg laying, perches for the hens to sleep on and food and water containers. Only one coop is permitted per property.
- A hen run is a covered secure enclosure attached to the coop to allow hens to be outdoors.
- Hen coops and runs must be at least 1.2m from the rear or side lot line, 15m from any school, 7.5m from a church or business, and 3m from all windows and doors for abutting properties and they are not permitted in front or side yards. Eggs and manure can not be sold. Home slaughter of hens is prohibited. Deceased hens shall be disposed of at a livestock disposal facility or through the services of a veterinarian.
- Hen coops and runs must be clean and free of obnoxious odours substances and vermin. Stored manure shall be kept in an enclosed structure and no more than three cubic feet shall be stored at any one time. Manure must be disposed of in accordance with Municipal bylaws — no waste the consistency of "swill" (sloppy liquid mixture) is to be collected. This means that hen waste would have to be solid, and it would need to be bagged.
- Applicants for coops will need to make abutting neighbours aware that they are applying to keep a coop. If neighbours refuse to sign a document verifying that they have been made aware of plans for a chicken coop, or if neighbours refuse to confirm that they have received notification, then the applicant can swear an affidavit that they have notified their neighbours.
