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Urban Hens

Contacts

Municipal Office

395 Mulock Drive P.O. Box 328 Station Main, Newmarket, Ontario
L3Y 4X7
905-895-5193

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Background:

In 2015, Council received a deputation from a resident encouraging the Town to regulate backyard hens. On February 8, 2016, Council endorsed a 12 month pilot project in Ward 2 for up to five (5) residential properties, effective March 1, 2016.

Current Status of the By-law:

On June 6, 2017, Council expanded the pilot project making it town-wide and amended the Animal Control By-law to remove chickens from the prohibited animals list.

Regulations:

An application must be submitted to the Town for approval with required documentation;
A maximum of three hens per lot is permitted on any residential property (excludes Multi-Residential);
All hens must be at least four months old;
The keeping of roosters is prohibited;
A tenant must obtain permission from the property owner to keep hens on the owner's property;
Permission must be obtained from all abutting property owners;
The owner of the hens must reside on the property where the hens are kept;
Hens must be kept in their coops from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.;
A minimum enclosure size of 10 square feet per hen;
Hens must be kept in an enclosed hen run when not in their coop;
Hen coops and runs shall be a distance of 1.2m from the rear lot line and 1.2m from any side lot line of the dwelling lot on which the hen coop is located;
Hen coops and hen runs shall be a minimum distance of 3m from all windows and doors of dwellings that are located on an abutting property;
Hen coops shall be less than 2.4m in height;
Hen coops are not permitted in any front yard;
Hen coops and hen runs shall be maintained in a clean condition and the coop shall be kept free of obnoxious odours, substances and vermin; and
Home slaughter of hens is prohibited and any deceased hens shall be disposed of at a livestock disposal facility or through the services of a veterinarian