Chickens in Burnaby backyards are now a step closer to reality.
Last month, the city's social planning committee passed a recommendation requesting council authorize staff to prepare amendments to the Burnaby zoning and animal control bylaws to allow the keeping of chickens in local backyards.
Staff presented a proposed framework in March that included:
- Introduce and update definitions in the bylaws
- Only residents living in single-family dwellings are permitted to keep chickens as an accessory use
- Minimize the risk of predation through proper and secure pen coop construction
- Secure feed to eliminate the risk of pest intrusion and spoilage and attracting other animals
- Residents are permitted to keep a minimum of two chickens and not more than four
- Only hens are to be permitted, which are defined as female chickens over the age of four months
- No roosters are permitted
- No sale of eggs is permitted on the premises
- No slaughter of chickens is permitted on the premises
- Registration of chicken(s) with the Ministry of Agriculture B.C. Premises ID program required
- Review the city's information package on keeping of backyard chickens
In the March report, staff said they consulted with Fraser Health for the potential health risks relating to keeping backyard chickens, including mitigation measures, as well as B.C.'s ministry of agriculture, food and fisheries.
Starting this year, the ministry will require owners to register livestock, which would include poultry, through a traceability program.
"Ministry staff advised that this program is intended for large and small scale livestock and hobby farms, including backyard chickens,” the report said.
"There is no cost to register and obtain a premises ID number from the ministry. The responsibility will be on the owner to practice the safe and healthy keeping of chickens, however, the ministry and local governments can facilitate risks by providing general regulations and educational resources."
Burnaby city staff also discussed potential nuisances including pests, noise and odour with a Fraser Health medical health officer, the report states.
"The review concluded that appropriate care, maintenance, sanitization and disposal of backyard chicken waste can reduce the potential of attracting pests and limiting noise and odour issues."
At Monday's (April 4) regular meeting, Coun. James Wang said he would like to see changes made to the proposed framework that currently would only allow those with a 6,000-sq-ft. minimum property to have chickens.
"To me, I don't think it's good for many other residents in Burnaby that only have 4,000, 3,000, 5,000 [sq. ft.]. I hope we can look into this issue and maybe can extend it to more people.
"Maybe consider for small lots, consider starting from one chicken, but definitely I think starting from 6,000 square feet property, many others don't have these opportunities."
Coun. Pietro Calendino supported Wang's suggestions, believing backyard poultry should be allowed on any property.
"I would suggest they should be permitted in all single-family or even duel family residential lots, regardless of size.
"If it is a matter of food security, why would we be leaving part of the population out of that?"
In response, city staff said the 6,000 sq-ft. framework was taken from research they conducted when looking at other municipalities, which was presented with the proposed framework.
The motion was carried unanimously and staff will report back to council and the social planning committee with the necessary changes to the bylaws.
