Southgate has decided to add roosters, hens, ducks and other fowl to the list of animals you are not allowed to keep in urban areas.
Council had originally asked staff to look into whether a limited or pilot program for backyard flocks would work.
That’s following a Dundalk mother appealing to council to allow their family to keep their own backyard chickens.
However, last week, council voted to change its Exotic Animals Bylaw to make it an offence to keep backyard poultry, anywhere outside of those places it is already allowed.
Although this was called the “status quo” approach, right now there are no regulations on backyard flocks, so this change would clearly prohibit them.
The report laid out seven options, but council took the course recommended by planning staff.
The Southgate Residential Zone 6, with a larger lot size than in settlement areas allows animals which tables state are equal to one “Nutrient Unit”. In the case of fowl that’s 20. The report says that there’s no rule prohibiting chickens now. Up to this time, it has been more or less “live and let live” – except when complaints are made to the township.
Bylaw matters are private so the township can’t speak about complaints coming in on the matter.
BURDEN OF ZONING
A number of the approaches considered by staff included changing zoning, a process that requires a public meeting.
The report also recommended an Official Plan Amendment be gone through to set policy in order to allow chickens through a temporary use bylaw. That in turn might include a planning justification report, staff said.
If council decided to go ahead with a licencing program like neighboring Grey Highlands, staff recommended public engagement.
The report said that Dundalk mother Sara McNulty’s statements are the only public comments received. Ms McNulty personally posted on local Facebook groups, which received support in those online forums.
The report said allowing chickens might lead to egg sales. In Grey Highlands, the bylaw prohibited any sale of products, eggs or meat, as well as any butchering.
The nine-page report called on council to decide what planning projects should be dropped in order to address the backyard chicken issue. It went on to consider staffing impacts in planning and bylaw.
Staff recommended that any change in rules about backyard poultry go to open houses. That takes township time and money.
The report stated that the one full-time bylaw position is already at capacity.
Municipal Support Services (contracted to do enforcement for Southgate) also serves Grey Highlands, which does allow backyard flocks.
The report notes that there could be legal costs if bylaw actions were appealed.
COUNCIL DISCUSSION
Coun. Jim Ferguson said he didn’t see a big issue with township rules allowing a few hens in the backyard in settlements.
Coun. Jason Rice said he agreed with that. But, he added, “the problem is nobody follows the rules.”
Coun. Barbara Dobreen thought neighbours should be notified if there were chickens next door, and questioned if smaller lots and townhouses were suitable for the use. Fees would have to be charged to totally offset all costs, in her opinion.
She suggested that it was something that could be considered in the next Zoning Bylaw or Official Plan review.
Public works manager John Watson confirmed, in answer to her question, that waste can go in the green bins.
When it came time for the decision, Coun. Ferguson was the lone vote against prohibiting chickens, with the vote 4-1 with Councillor Monica Singh Soares and Councillor Joan John absent for the vote. Both were participating online, and Coun. John explained later she had a technical difficulty being heard during the vote.
OTHER AREAS
Grey Highlands has had a bylaw regulating backyard poultry since 2022. It was created after a long debate and voices both for and against. There was much staff and council time related to the decision.
Those keeping fowl must register (no cost) with the township, and the bylaw is enforced on a complaint basis, like others.
The registration form asks residents to confirm that they have read OMAFRA small flock guidelines and biosecurity (health) information.
They must also agree to provide hens with a coop with enough space and food and water. Fines for breaking these are $125 for each infraction
The details of the bylaw spell out many specific rules for storing food, enclosing the hens and hygiene.
The bylaw limits birds to no more than four hens on one lot within a Residential, Multiple Residential or Development zone; and no more than six on one lot within a Rural Residential, Agricultural, Restricted Agriculture or Rural zone.
Other areas that permit a small number of chickens in urban backyards are Georgian Bluffs and the Town of Minto, staff said.
West Grey does not allow backyard chickens in urban areas. Back in 2019, its council allowed a one-year trial after what one councillor of the day called “an inordinate amount of council time and staff resources on this simple request from a small number of residents who want to be allowed to engage in a harmless pastime”.
However, in 2026 the municipality does not allow chickens in urban areas, according to a “Frequently Asked Questions” list on its website.
By M.T. Fernandes, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Original Published on Jun 25, 2026 at 14:25
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