SMITHS FALLS — A backyard hen pilot program launched with minimal rules and a “see what happens” approach is now forcing Smiths Falls council to decide how much oversight is actually needed.
Council opted to delay a decision Monday night after reviewing the results of the one-year pilot approved in April 2025, directing staff to bring back a revised bylaw for further consideration.
When the pilot was introduced, council removed licensing, inspections and most enforcement tools to reduce red tape and gauge community interest.
A year later, that approach has produced limited data and a divided council.
Fire Chief Rick Chesebrough told council the program generated seven complaints over 12 months, requiring about 15 hours of bylaw enforcement time at a cost of roughly $465.
Calls included hens running at large, odour concerns and one case involving birds being kept indoors in unsanitary conditions. Two loose chickens were not recovered.
Because the pilot did not include registration or inspections, the town does not know how many households are currently keeping hens.
“We can’t determine what the total effect is,” Chesebrough said, noting the complaint-based system limits the town’s ability to fully assess compliance.
Despite the low number of complaints, staff recommended moving forward with a permanent bylaw that would reintroduce several controls removed during the pilot, including licensing, inspections, enforcement mechanisms and defined penalties.
Council, however, was split on how far those measures should go.
Coun. Chris McGuire said the pilot results point to a program that is working and does not require additional time or resources.
“I think overall it’s been pretty successful,” he said, noting the relatively small number of complaints and minimal cost.
McGuire said council may be overthinking the issue and suggested the bylaw can be adjusted later if problems arise, rather than investing additional time and effort now.
Mayor Shawn Pankow raised questions about how the bylaw could be enforced without clearer tracking.
“This policy has essentially expired, as we’re over the year,” he said. “Are people in non-compliance now or are we in limbo?”
Coun. Jay Brennan said backyard hens do not belong in an urban setting, describing them as livestock and raising concerns about public health and compatibility with residential neighbourhoods.
“I don’t believe that they belong within an urban municipality,” he said, adding he supported delaying a decision to allow more time for consideration and input from the councillors who were not in attendance – Dawn Quinn and Steve Robinson.
Council ultimately agreed to defer a final decision and asked staff to prepare a revised version of the bylaw reflecting the discussion, including options for enforcement, registration and setback requirements.
The pilot was introduced last year despite concerns about enforcement, animal welfare and disease risk, including avian influenza.
A revised bylaw is expected to return to council in the coming weeks. The current pilot framework will remain in place until then.
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