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Urban Hen Pilot Program

1-Year Pilot Program

Town of Lamont Council passed Bylaw 03-24, Urban Hen Pilot Program on February 13, 2024 which is allowing up to 5 residents to apply for a license to have 2-4 laying hens for a period of 1 year. Council will then have a chance to review the successes and failures of the program and chose whether or not to continue the program. 

Residents must provide the following information with their applications:

  • Proof of completion of an urban hen keeping training course 
  • Proof of registration for a Premises Identification Number
  • Signed Neighbour Consent Forms from every adjacent neighbour
  •  Site Sketch complete with the hen enclosure location relative to adjacent properties and residential buildings, coop and run floor areas, and associated setback distances (structures larger than 100 square feet will require a development permit)

 

Application for Urban Hen Pilot Program License

Neighbour Consent Form

Hen Enclosure General Guidelines

Example Site Sketch

Bylaw 03-24, Urban Hen Pilot Program

General Guidelines

SITE REQUIREMENTS FOR HEN COOP AND RUN

  • An approved site may house only one coop and run (hen enclosure).
  • A hen enclosure must be located within the rear yard of the lot behind a detached or semi-detached dwelling as follows:
    • A minimum of 3.0 m (10 ft) from a dwelling unit.
    • A minimum 1.0 m (3.2 ft) from any lot line.
    • A minimum 1.0 m (3.2) ft from any other buildings.
    • A minimum 4.0 m (12.8 ft) from any street adjacent to the property.
  • Rear yards must be fully enclosed with fencing at least 5 ft (1.82 m) in height.
  • Some properties, due to the size of a backyard, existing structures, or other factors may not be deemed suitable for urban hen keeping through the application process.

NUMBER OF HENS AND ENCLOSURE SIZE

  • Approved sites must keep a minimum of two (2) hens and a maximum of four (4) hens.
  • Roosters are NOT permitted.
  • Young hens (also called pullets) shall not be younger than sixteen (16) weeks old.
  • The coop must provide each urban hen with at least 0.37 m2 (4 sq ft) of interior floor area.
  • The run must provide each hen at least 0.92 m2 (10 sq ft) of outdoor enclosure.
  • The enclosure must be no larger than 10 m2 (108 sq ft) in area.
  • The enclosure must be not more than 2 m (6.5 ft) in height.
  • All coops must contain sufficient perch locations, have adequate ventilation, and be weather and predator proof.

NUISANCE CONDITIONS

  • The site and enclosure must be properly maintained to prevent negative impacts, including but not limited to attracting nuisance animals, and excessive smells or noise.

STANDARD OF CARE

  • Hen sites shall adhere to good management and husbandry practices, maintain hens in such a condition to prevent distress, disease, and welfare issues.
  • Hens require appropriate food, liquid (unfrozen) water, shelter, light, warmth, ventilation, veterinary care and opportunities for essential behaviours such as scratching, pecking, dustbathing and roosting, in order to be comfortable and healthy.
  • Animal Control must be notified immediately of any disease or welfare issues that arise that may affect the public and the steps taken to rectify the situation.
  • In the winter months, runs are required to be wrapped. Runs can be wrapped with a hard material like corrugated plastic or a soft material like polyethylene film (poly wrap) or a tarp.
  • Adequate ventilation in the run and coop area is important to reduce moisture and mitigate the conditions that contribute to frostbite.
  • Commercially manufactured coops and runs may need to be modified to ensure proper ventilation and insulation.

WASTE & DISPOSAL

  • Manure must be removed, discarded, and/or properly composted to prevent nuisance complaints.
  • Manure must be stored in a fully enclosed container, and no more than 3 cubic feet of manure stored at any time.
  • There is to be no on-site slaughter or euthanizing of hens within the Town limits.
  • Removal methods include (but are not limited to) humane euthanasia by a veterinarian, relocation to a farm, or taking hens to a licensed abattoir.

TRAINING

  • The Applicant/Licensee must complete an accepted urban hen keeping course.
  • The Town recommends the “Chickens 101” course provided by River City Chickens Collective, an information course for urban chicken keepers. This course is approved by municipalities including Edmonton, St. Albert, Leduc and Airdrie for application for backyard hen-keeping license. http://www.rivercitychickens.org/

INSPECTIONS

  • An initial inspection of the coop, hens, and site will be conducted prior to final site approval and license being granted from the Town of Lamont.
  • The Licensee(s) shall make themselves and the enclosure available for inspection on reasonable request from the Town of Lamont.

REGISTRATION

  • The Licensee must comply with all Provincial regulations around the keeping of hens.
  • The Province of Alberta requires all owners of poultry to register their flocks into the provincial database and obtain a Premises Identification (PID) Number. The PID enables the province to keep track of livestock site locations in case of potential disease outbreak. The Province will maintain communication with site owners should any information or incidents occur that would require site owners to take action.

ENFORCEMENT

  • Bylaw Enforcement Officers will respond to all complaints and initiate investigations when warranted.
  • When enforcement or other animal husbandry issues arise, Town Administration will work with hen keepers, neighbors, and other external stakeholders to ensure they are addressed and resolved in a timely manner.
  • Failing to comply with the guidelines and regulations of the Urban Hen Keeping Pilot Program Bylaw may result in a fine, or a license being revoked.