The number of chickens or ducks that can be kept in the City of Nanaimo depends on the size of your property:

• Less than 450m2 (0.11 acre): no more than 4 chickens or ducks
• Less than 1 acre: no more than 6 chickens or ducks
• 1 acre or more: no maximum

No roosters may be kept on any property less than 1 acre

A minimum enclosure of 4 square feet per chicken or duck must be provided

Any structure containing poultry, whether portable or stationary, is subject to the setback requirements of the zone

Structures housing poultry must be kept clean, dry, and free from odours

Areas within and surrounding any structure housing poultry must be kept free from vermin

Any diseased chicken or duck must be killed and the carcass destroyed

No slaughtering of chickens or ducks may occur on the property

Chicken and duck manure and waste products must be composted or disposed of to prevent odours

Chickens or ducks are not permitted within a dwelling unit

Poultry may not stray or trespass anywhere other than the property of the owner and may not roam on any un-fenced land

Failure to comply with these conditions can result in fines of up to $100 per day. The impound fee for any poultry found at large is $10 and the board fee is $5 per day.

Other Poultry

Domesticated fowl such as geese, turkeys and quail are permitted to be kept on properties of at least one acre. They may not stray or trespass in any public place or on any private property and may not graze on unfenced land.