FORT MCMURRAY – During their latest council meeting, the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo passed a bylaw supporting a backyard hens pilot project.
The program will run for two years starting May 1, 2021 and is limited to 50 properties across the municipality with single or semi-detached dwellings on at least a 400 square meter lot.
A backyard hens license will allow approved properties to have anywhere from two to four four hens in a coop. Roosters are not permitted under this Bylaw.
To be eligible for the program, applicants must:
Reside on the parcel where the hens will be kept, and the parcel must be at least 400 square meters with a single detached or semidetached dwelling.
Complete a hen training course.
Implement biosecurity measures that are adequate to reduce the risk of exposing hens to infectious disease.
Notify their adjoining neighbours with a notification letter.
Submit a complete application with supporting documents.
Obtain a Provincial Premise ID (PID) as required by the Government of Alberta
Those interested in applying are strongly encouraged to read Bylaw No. 21/006 – Backyard Hen Bylaw and Guidelines and Requirements on the Municipal website – before applying for a license.
For more information and to apply for a Backyard Hens license, please visit rmwb.ca/hens.
