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Animal restrictions under local law
Maroondah City Council Local Law 2023 references keeping animals. This protects both the safety of the neighbourhood, as well as the welfare of animals and pets. The local law covers:
- numbers of animals that can live on a property
- animal housing
- the secure confinement of animals within the area.
How many animals can I have without a permit?
Without a permit, the number of animals on one property at any time must not be more than the maximum number listed below:
|
Type of animal
|
Maximum Number
|
|
Dogs
A dog of either sex or desexed that is over the age of 3 months. For more information visit the Animal Welfare Victoria website
|
2 |
|
Cats
A cat of either sex or desexed that is over the age of 3 months. For more information visit the Animal Welfare Victoria website.
|
2 |
|
Domestic birds
Any small birds such as canaries, finches, budgerigars and the like. For more information visit the Animal Welfare Victoria website.
|
20 |
|
Large birds
Any cockatoo, parrot, pheasant, peafowl, goose or turkey or other similar sized bird but excludes poultry, pigeons and any domestic bird.
|
None |
| Poultry - Roosters |
None |
|
Poultry - Except roosters
Includes chickens, ducks, fowl and other domestic fowl or similar sized bird but does not include any large bird, rooster or domestic bird. For more information visit the Animal Welfare Victoria website.
|
5 |
| Racing pigeons |
20 |
|
Ferrets, guinea pigs, rabbits or rodents
Includes any rabbits, guinea pigs, mice, rats and hamsters and other mammals characterised by incisors adapted for gnawing and nibbling.
|
5 |
| Horse/Donkeys |
None |
| Cattle |
None |
| Sheep |
None |
| Goats |
None |
| Pigs |
None |
| Any other agricultural animals |
None |
For more information visit Animal Welfare Victoria website.
Keeping bees
Keeping bees is restricted by the Victorian Apiary Code of Practice and you may need a planning permit to keep hives on your property.
A planning permit is required if:
- bees will be kept on properties designated as Low Density Residential Zone (LDRZ) in the Maroondah Planning Scheme. To find the zoning for your property, search your address in VicPlan.
- the maximum number of hives is exceeded, as defined in the Apiary Code of Practice, which specifies hives permitted by land area.
Keeping additional animals permit
You will need to apply for a Keeping additional animals permit if your land is less than or equal to 0.5ha, and you would like to keep more than:
- two dogs, and/or
- two cats, and/or
- five rodents, and/or
- 20 domestic birds, and/or
- 20 pigeons, and/or
- five poultry.
Roosters are not permitted.
Apply for permit
Renew permit
You will be sent a renewal each year. Permits are renewed annually on 10 April upon payment of fee.
Breeding animals
If you are applying to keep extra animals as you are breeding them, you must be a registered breeder with:
- Dogs Victoria,
- Master Dog Breeders and Associates (MDBA), or
- Feline Control Council.
If you are not a member of any of these organisations, and have 3 or more fertile female dogs or cats, and you sell puppies/kittens, you will need to be registered as a Domestic animal business and obtain a Source Number from the State Government.