If you want to keep animals on your property, you must comply with the law.

Domestic animals are an important part of many households. But they need to be kept in a way that protects the public from nuisance, maintains public health and safety, and protects the welfare of the animal.

Council enforcement staff are obliged to follow up and act on any complaints, as per the Animal Nuisance Bylaw 2013.

Keeping chickens

You can keep chickens on your property, but this depends on whether you live in an urban development or not as some developers enforce their own restrictions.

For example, some developers prohibit residents from keeping animals such as chickens. This helps residents maintain a particular lifestyle.

Please note we do not enforce restrictions such as these. We’ll only intervene if there are animals creating a nuisance.

Keeping roosters

If you’d like to keep a rooster, you’ll need to apply for a permit. 


Checklist: Read this before you download and complete the Rooster Permit form:

  1. Is your rooster(s) effectively confined within an appropriate enclosure? Your enclosure must suit the number of birds, their size and breed.
  2. Is the enclosure soundproofed to reduce noise?
  3. Is the enclosure at least 1m from the boundary fence and 5m from roads?
  4. Is the enclosure regularly cleaned and maintained to prevent vermin (mice, rats, stoats) as well as odour and fly nuisance?

Apply for a rooster permit

 

How to report a crowing rooster

If your neighbours have a crowing rooster, try approaching them first with your concerns. If the problem persists, you can report it as an animal nuisance issue.

Related pages

Keeping bees and livestock

Animals are an important part of many households, but they need to be kept in a way that protects the public from…

Report an animal nuisance

If you’re concerned about a dog barking loudly, a rooster crowing or an animal roaming freely or howling in distress…

Bylaws

Share this page

Feedback

Has this page been helpful?
Thanks for your feedback.

Last updated 30 June 2022