Step 1: You
What you need to know
In Hamilton, if you have three or more dogs over the age of three months housed on an individual premises, a multiple dog permit is required under the Dog Control bylaw.
We retain the right to:
- Refuse to grant a permit to keep more than two dogs aged three months or older.
- Revoke a permit to keep more than two dogs aged three months or older if these conditions are breached at any time; when the council will give notice in writing that one or more of the dogs must be removed from the property within such time as the council may consider appropriate in the particular case
- Impose reasonable conditions on any permit to keep more than two dogs aged three months or older.
A site inspection may be needed before we can grant a permit. Our Animal Control Officer will make a time during normal working hours to inspect your property to assess whether it’s suitable for more than two dogs. The inspection will check the type and suitability of the dog accommodation, the exercise space available and hygiene standards.
Please be aware that if your dog(s) move from the address stated on this application where the permit has been granted, you will have to reapply by completing a new application.
Neighbour approval
Dog owners applying for a new permit are required to approach their boundary neighbours for their written approval for them to keep more than two dogs on their property. Additional neighbours’ written consent may be required in high density housing areas.
All that is required is for each neighbour to complete the table on the last page.
Objections by neighbours to a permit application will be taken into consideration, however will not necessarily prevent this permit being issued.
Owner history
Dog owner complaint history will be reviewed once this application has been received. If any substantiated complaints have been received by Animal Education and Control, the permit may be declined.
Fees you can expect
| Inspection Fee for Keeping More than 2 Dogs | |||||||
| First application fee | $90.00 | ||||||
| Annual renewal fee | $43.00 | ||||||
How to pay
We accept cash, and credit card (Visa and MasterCard) payments. Please note a 1% surcharge applies for credit card payments. You can pay us:
By visiting
Animal Education and Control
217 Ellis StreetHamilton 3204
Open seven days, 12.30pm to 4pm (excluding public holidays).
Council offices
260 Anglesea StreetHamilton City CouncilHamilton 3204
Open Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm.
By internet transfer
Particular: Multidog
Reference: Dog owner's surname
If you have any questions about the permit process, please contact Animal Education and Control on (07) 838 6632 between 8am – 4.30pm, Monday to Friday
Permit conditions
1.
All requirements of the Dog Control Act 1996 and Hamilton City Councils Bylaws must be met at all times.
2.
Any permit issued is specific to one property. Any move to a new property requires a new permit application with the relevant fee.
3.
Any increase in dogs will require a further application for a variance in the permit at the relevant fee.
4.
A portion of the property must be fenced. The fences must be able to contain and retain all dogs on the property. In addition to this there must be unrestricted access to at least one door at the dwelling. This is so that no person is likely to be endangered, threatened, or inconvenienced by the keeping of more than two dogs.
5.
All dog faeces are to be removed on a regular basis and disposed of in a lawful manner. The property is to be kept in a clean state.
6.
Ensure that the dogs receive proper care and attention and are supplied with proper and sufficient food, water, and shelter.
7.
Where the dogs are not normally confined inside a dwelling house, adequate kenneling of sufficient size to meet the needs of the dogs must be provided.
8.
The property must be open to inspection by an authorised council officer at any reasonable time as deemed necessary by council.
9.
All dogs on the property of a greater age than three months must be registered for the current year. Should dogs not be registered, or any new unregistered dogs found on the property – your application may be declined, or your permit may be revoked.
10.
All deaths, sales, or transfers of dogs (including pups born on the property) are to be notified in writing to the council within 14 days. Failure to do so may result in an infringement notice being issued and the permit being revoked.
11.
The permit is only valid for the dogs specified on the permit (one dog cannot be swapped for another), once it is issued. Any changes will require applying for a new permit with the relevant cost.
12.
The permit must be renewed annually, on or before the expiry date. Failure to do so will result in the dog owner having to re-apply in full and pay the full application fee.
Step 2: You
Submit your application
In person
Animal Education and Control
217 Ellis StreetHamilton 3240
Open seven days, 12.30pm to 4pm (excluding public holidays).
Council offices
260 Anglesea StreetHamilton 3240
Open Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm.
By email
Online
Step 3: Council
What happens next?
Once your application has been received one of our Animal Control Officers will complete a property inspection. From there a member of the team will contact you with the outcome of the application.
Permit renewal
If your permit is approved, our team will contact you yearly to conduct a review to ensure the conditions of your permit are being met. The permit may be modified or revoked if conditions are breached.
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Last updated 30 April 2024