Backyard Chickens
You can keep up to 10 backyard chickens on eligible residential properties in Kawartha Lakes.
Before buying chickens or building a coop, check whether your property is eligible. If your property is eligible, you can apply for a free backyard chicken licence.
Can I keep backyard chickens on my property?
Backyard chickens are not permitted on every property in Kawartha Lakes. Use the Backyard Chicken Regulated Areas Map to search your address. Areas shown in red are not eligible.
Backyard Chicken Coop Regulated Areas Map
Prohibited areas include:
- 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
Not sure if your property qualifies?
Before You Build a Coop
If your property has a septic system, any structural part of your chicken enclosure must be at least:
- 1.5 metres from a septic or treatment tank
- 5 metres from sewage distribution lines
You may need to submit a Sewage System Review for Additional Buildings to confirm that your proposed coop meets these requirements.
Keep your Chickens Healthy
Diseases such as avian influenza can spread between wild birds and backyard flocks.
Help protect your chickens by:
- keeping wild birds away from their food and water
- keeping coops, feeders and water containers clean
- limiting unnecessary contact between your flock and other birds
- watching your chickens for signs of illness
- contacting your veterinarian right away if birds become sick or die unexpectedly
Additional Resources:
New to backyard chickens? The Province of Ontario has information about caring for a small flock, including housing, feeding, health and biosecurity. Learn how to raise healthy small flock poultry.
How to prevent and detect disease in backyard flocks and pet birds
Backyard chicken owners are encouraged to register with the Chicken Farmers of Ontario Family Food Grower Program. Registration can help you receive information about disease outbreaks, biosecurity and poultry health in your area.
Questions about Municipal Law Enforcement and Licencing?
Office Location: 37 Lindsay St South, Lindsay ON
Walk-in service: Tuesday to Thursday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm
Call: 705-324-9411 ext. 1212 or 1-888-822-2225 ext. 1212 during above business hours.
