Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Hens/Bees Bylaws active Jan 1st, 2014

Courtesy of the City of Williams Lake:

The City of Williams Lake has recently adopted bylaws to allow the keeping of hens (not roosters), as well as beekeeping on single family and two family residential properties. While this is an exciting opportunity for a number of residents, the City wishes to remind residents that certain regulations must be adhered to and procedures must be followed in order to proceed with these activities.

1. The bylaws enabling these activities are not to come into effect until January 1, 2014. Adoption was delayed to ensure that residents take the opportunity to properly prepare for these activities and acquire their animals only after they have fulfilled all requirements of and acquired the necessary license(s).
2. A license, similar to a dog license, is required prior to beginning the activity of hen or beekeeping.
3. The regulations are in place to ensure the safety and welfare of animals and their owners, as well as the continued comfort and enjoyment of living on neighbouring properties.

The City will be preparing public education material, licensing procedural documents, and, possibly workshops to educate interested residents on how to develop suitable facilities and obtain licenses through the winter. If you are interested in being advised of such workshops, please contact Chris Hutton, Planning Technician at chutton@williamslake.ca or (250) 392-1770.

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