Backyard Chickens

The Backyard Chicken Coop Project was made permanent by Council at the February 20, 2024 Regular Council Meeting. The project allows for chicken coops in residential areas under certain conditions and restrictions with a maximum of ten chickens at any one time. 

Eligibility

Please be advised backyard chicken coops are not permitted on all properties in Kawartha Lakes. Check your address in the interactive Regulated Areas Map below to find out whether you're in an eligible area. Areas highlighted in red are prohibited.

Prohibited areas are determined based on one or multiple of the following criteria:

• Environmental Protection Area
• Conservation Authority Regulated Areas (Accessible in the map layers for viewing)
• Wellhead Protection Area
• Surface Water Intake Protection Area
• Floodplain
• Properties less than 0.25 acres
• Property not zoned as Residential

Properties serviced by a private on-site sewage disposal system will need to consider the requirements for clearance distances, for structural components of any backyard chicken enclosure, regardless of size or requirement for a Building Permit. The structural component will need to be placed a minimum of 1.5 metres from a septic tank/treatment tank and 5 metres to the distribution lines. The submission of an Application for a Sewage System Review for Additional Buildings may be required to confirm the clearance distances of the structure to the sewage system. This application can be obtained from the Building and Septic Division and please note fees will apply.

Backyard Chicken Coop Regulated Areas Map

If you're interested in applying for a license, we also recommend checking out the Additional Resources below.

Please note that while registration may now be free, a large coop may require a building permit and/or sewage system approval and that application process may include a fee. Visit our Building, Septic and Renovations page for more information on potential building permit or sewage system requirements.

Health and Biosecurity

Avian Influenza Reminder to Small Flock Owners - The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) remind all small flock owners how to keep their birds healthy during this upcoming wild bird migration season. Migration season increases the risk for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) which can cause severe illness and death in all domesticated birds. Avian Influenza cases have been reported in wild birds in southwestern Ontario, eastern Canada and several states in the U.S..

Small flock owners must be diligent in protecting their flock and their neighbouring flocks in the Ontario poultry industry by implementing biosecurity measures and reporting any signs of disease to your veterinarian immediately.

• How to prevent and detect disease in backyard flocks and pet birds