Allow Backyard Hens
Let's make Barrie a sustainable city by allowing backyard hens for the purpose of household egg consumption.
Many major North American cities, including Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Victoria, New York, Seattle, Chicago and Los Angeles, together with Ontario communities such as Niagara Falls, Brampton, Newmarket,
and Guelph, allow the small-scale raising of hens. Now it's Barrie's turn to join this positive and growing trend.
Hens have existed in cities since the dawn of time an
d continue to thrive in communities around the world to this day. The benefits of raising them include:
Fresh, healthy and delicious home-grown eggs, free of pesticides and antibiotics;
Reduced municipal solid waste as hens consume table scraps and other organic waste;
Reduced backyard pest populations as hens consume weeds and bugs;
Opportunities to teach children about food sources and responsible animal care; and
The addition of great "poultry pets" to families -- hens are people-friendly, nonaggressive and always entertaining to watch.
Sharon
shared this idea
The City of Barrie is in the process of creating a new comprehensive Zoning By-law, which will be designed to implement the vision and policies of Barrie’s recently adopted Official Plan.
Due to public interest, the new Zoning By-law proposes to establish zoning standards for chicken enclosures and use provisions for backyard chickens (see section 4.9).
To download the first draft of the new Zoning By-law and for full information, please visit BuildingBarrie.ca/zoning.
The first draft of the new Zoning By-law is open for public feedback online until April 28, 2023. Public meetings are also being held to gather feedback:
In-person Public Information Centre
An in-person Public Information Centre will be held on April 19 from 4pm to 7pm at the Barrie City Hall Rotunda (70 Collier Street). The public is welcome to drop in to provide feedback. No pre-registration required
Virtual Public Information Centre
A virtual Public Information Centre will be held on April 20 from 2–3pm. Please register in advance to attend.
City staff will collect public and stakeholder feedback from the first draft of the Zoning By-law and incorporate this into a second draft, which is planned to be released in summer 2023.
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Robin Nibourg
commented
It's crazy that this is even a question! Make backyard chickens great again!!
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Karla Martins commented
Would be great to legalize, backyard chickens in Barrie!
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Kacie
commented
Bring chickens to Barrie! Please!!
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Rayne Hogan
commented
I
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monkey balls commented
Dub
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Avery Pennell commented
This topic was brought to council in 2023 due to 500 voted on the first suggestion, and was brought to council for discussion, it was then approved for an investigation but was quickly withdrawn due to the council being too low in staff
Let’s bring this topic back to 500 and votes so it can be brought to council for discussion. -
Steve
commented
agree no big animals or 100s of chickens doing there business (feces) and it drying up then when owner needs to clean it up. It gets airborne and neighbour will inhale or have a coating on there lawnchairs or tables and not know. Fecal matter from any animal will shut you down. Very dangerous
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Robert Bettinelli commented
Critical. - Update??
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Rui Raposo commented
Any update on this issue?
Lots of voters are wondering why is this taking so long to be approved... -
Michelle Dada
commented
It is understood that until December 2001, when council passed a by-law to ban the birds, a resident could have up to 20 hens on a property.
Many local and comparable municipalities have permitted backyard hens in recent years including Orillia, Newmarket, Georgina and Toronto.
Generally, the number of hens are limited for each residential property and there are coop/enclosure size and setback requirements clearly set out through the application or by-law to ensure there are no negative impacts. As an example, roosters are not permitted.
Backyard hens were brought forward in 2020 to General Committee as an Item for Discussion and included on staff’s “Pending List” with no action taken to date. The Pending List has since been cleared of items not currently actioned. It is understood that Council is presently in the process of confirming the process for bringing items forward.
Current staff response remains that Domestic Foul (chickens or backyard hens) remain prohibited under the City of Barrie Animal Control bylaw. At this time, staff are not reviewing or making any changes to allow domestic foul, including through their ongoing zoning by-law review.
Staff has suggested coordinating actions through the Barrie.ca Suggestion portal and specifically to the Ward Councillor for direction from Council appears to be the only clear path forward at this time.
Looking to 2023, it is time that Barrie residents have the of opportunity to increase access to fresh, sustainable and healthy food and the freedom for activities that can enrich our connection to nature. Backyard hens are a simple solution and this practice has been proven to be working in other local municipalities. There are local businesses that even offer chicken coop rental programs.
Let's show our new Council that this matter is important to residents so that it is prioritized.
Nature based initiatives can help make happier and healthier families as we continue to work through challenging times.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read this, and for providing your vote(s)!
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Steven J Hood commented
Please revisit this pilot project. Barrie residence deserve the ability to provide food for themselves
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Sara Li commented
It's been well over 4 years since this suggestion was made. How much longer will this be under review for?
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Fiona
commented
This has been an ongoing issue, get it together Barrie.
Backyard hens allow for sustainability in helping keep down bug and pest population, enrich soil vegetation and also give back eggs!! They are not only easy to care for, but help provide fun in learning and caring for animals for kids and families to enjoy.
I don't know why Barrie is so against this? Or they keep hesitating to move forward the motion to approve it???! Get with the times Barrie; what is the harm in having a little bit of country in your backyard? Its better than the sprawling student accommodations that have no problem getting approved.
Just say yes to backyard chickens! -
julie morin
commented
Any new updates yet??? Does it really take a year for something to get on the council’s agenda? Would love to be able to have the chance to keep a few hens for fresh eggs.
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Joshua Sh commented
This should be a pretty easy exercise? You an always make updates as it goes? Just limit it to 3-5 hens and no roosters.. with minim backyard size... ?
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[Deleted User]
commented
I will be extremely happy if we can keep a few hens in our backyard! Please, my children will be so excited to raise them and to collect fresh eggs without antibiotics!!!
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Brandon Heckhaus
commented
Having backyard chickens in NO way compares to eating rotting animals in deplorable conditions. Wow my eyes hurt from that eye roll.
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Andrew Cowan
commented
Lessons should be learned from our current pandemic humans living to close to animals in city environments is never a wise choice a farm is a farm and a city backyard is not !!
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Anonymous
commented
Can I please have backyard chickens? What a great addition to my growing vegetable garden. Plus chickens eat insect pests....which means less pesticide use.
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Anonymous
commented
Any progress? Hurry up please! This is obviously the right thing to do. Dont let short sightedness get in the way. We NEED to be more sustainable!