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After two phases of a pilot project went well, Gatineau is opening the henhouse door to urban farmers. Also the beehive door.

People with a property of at least 350 square metres can build a shed for up to five hens that lay eggs, or keep a beehive.

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Formal approval is expected at a council meeting next Tuesday. Assuming that goes through, people will have to apply online to Gatineau anytime on or after March 20, and there are some rules:

• Production of hens or honey is allowed for personal consumption only, not for sale.

• There will no longer be a limit on the number of licences available. (Both pilot phases had limits on numbers.)

• Henhouses will be permitted in community gardens.

Gatineau has made agreements regarding urban hens and beekeeping with three organizations: Le Collectif apicole Apicentris, the SPCA de l’Outaouais, and la Coopérative agro alimentaire des Vallées Outaouais Laurentides.

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