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Langford OKs backyard birds

Colwood takes first step toward allowing urban poultry

Langford will allow backyard poultry and rabbits on certain size lots in the city.

Residents on land greater than 550 square metres but less than 4,000 square metres will be able to keep up to four chickens, ducks, pigeons or rabbits in fenced enclosures council decided unanimously Nov. 5. For every 220 square metres over the minimum one more bird will be allowed.

This will not be allowed on duplex lots. Lots larger than 4,000 square metres already follow different rules.

Enclosures for the animals must be set back three metres from rear and side lot lines. The slaughtering of animals will still not be allowed on properties less than 4,000 square metres.

Up to two beehives will also be allowed on properties over 550 square metres and less than 800 square metres. One more beehive is allowed for every 400 square metres over that.

Colwood is taking the first steps to develop its own backyard hens bylaw. At a Planning and Land Use Committee meeting Nov. 6 committee passed a motion to recommend to council that staff put together some options to “liberalize rules concerning the keeping of poultry in residential areas.”

The committee also recommended the city ask the public what it thinks of loosening up the rules around having backyard poultry.

“There’s been some interest in the community and some councillors have been approached,” city planner Iain Bourhill said.

 

Bourhill said the format of public consultation hasn’t been decided yet.