Local Laws Matters - Keeping Animals
Published on 31 October 2025
22. Keeping Animals
Council manages the number of animals permitted on a private property through the General Local Law. This clause of the General Local Law prescribes the maximum number of animals on a private property, unless a permit for excess animals has been applies for and obtained. The prescribed numbers of animals have been benchmarked with similar rural councils, and considerations to the following have been applied:
- Animals warefare,
- likelihood of nuisance from odour and noise.
Through Council inspections and reports from residents, council has become aware of increasing numbers of roosters being kept in residential areas - which is a breach of the Local Law.
To keep roosters, residents must apply for and obtain a permit.
When an excess animal permit is applied for, authorised officers will assess the above-mentioned considerations, as well as any possible views from neighbouring properties.
Table of Prescribed Numbers of Animals
|
Type of Animal
|
Number in Township Areas
|
Number in Rural Areas
|
|
Dogs
|
2
|
5
|
|
Cats
|
3
|
5
|
|
Hen fowls
|
12
|
No maximum limit
|
|
Roosters
|
0
|
No maximum limit
|
|
Pigeons
|
20
|
No maximum limit
|
|
Poultry
|
0
|
No maximum limit
|
|
Caged birds
|
20
|
No maximum limit
|
|
Rodents and Rabbits
|
4
|
No maximum limit
|
|
Horses or Donkeys
|
0
|
No maximum limit
|
|
Cattle
|
0
|
No maximum limit
|
|
Sheep
|
0
|
No maximum limit
|
|
Goats
|
0
|
No maximum limit
|
|
Pigs
|
0
|
3
|
|
Snakes
|
0
|
No maximum limit
|
|
Bees
|
0
|
No maximum limit
|
|
Other animals and birds
|
0
|
No maximum limit
|
For more information visit: Animal Registrations - Yarriambiack Shire Council.