It could be cluck, cluck, go for the raising of chickens in the Village of Montrose.
A resident pitched the idea to council at a Jan. 6, 2025, meeting, requesting a bylaw to allow villagers to raise chickens.
Now, after discussion at the latest council meeting on March 3, Montrose officials have agreed to review a "draft bylaw" that could make backyard hens a reality— but only within limits and with public input.
The proposed guidelines would restrict chickens to a low maximum number and only on larger, specifically located lots on the village's outskirts.
"Council determined that if they decided to move this draft bylaw forward to consideration, a public meeting would be held to determine the level of resident’s support before any decision is made," Montrose chief administrator Larry Plotnikoff told the Trail Times.
The draft bylaw could take inspiration from Fruitvale's Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 922, enacted in 2020, which permits backyard hens under strict regulations.
In Fruitvale, the bylaw permits a maximum of four hens per residential property, while roosters are strictly prohibited within village limits.
Before acquiring hens, residents must submit a Hen Registration Form and obtain a British Columbia Poultry Premises Identification number from the Ministry of Agriculture.
Hens must be housed in a weather-proof coop with an attached outdoor enclosure, both located within a fully fenced rear yard.
Each hen requires at least 0.37 square meters (4 square feet) of interior coop space and 0.92 square meters (10 square feet) of outdoor enclosure space.
Additionally, coops must comply with setback requirements outlined in the Village of Fruitvale Zoning Bylaw No. 846.
The bylaw also includes specific restrictions.
Slaughtering hens or burying carcasses on residential properties is prohibited.
Selling manure from hens is not allowed, though residents may give it away for free.
