For more details on responsible pet ownership in Yarra
We enforce a night-time cat curfew to protect native wildlife and our community. All cat owners in Yarra are required to keep their pet cats within their property between 7pm and 7am.
Your responsibilities
- microchipping, desexing, vaccinating and registering your cat
- keeping your cat inside between the hours of 7pm and 7am
- prevent your cat from entering other's property without their permission
- we recommend keeping your cat within your property boundary during the day for its own protection and the protection of our wildlife.
SafeCat provides advice to help keep cats inside at night.
Legal requirements for cat owners
We may issue an infringement notice if your cat causes a problem related to:
- wandering on to another person's property without their permission
- roaming outside of your property between 7pm and 7am
- roaming outside your premises at any time without current Council registration details
Our cat curfew was introduced in 2024 following extensive community consultation with 75% in favour of a night-time cat curfew.
Our public spaces are often busy. It's vital that dog owners follow the rules to keep your pets safe and our public spaces enjoyable for all.
Your responsibilities:
- having control of your pet in public
- except in a designated reserve, keeping your dog on a leash when in public
- obeying on-leash and off-leash areas in parks and gardens
- microchipping, desexing, vaccinating and registering your dog
- is found off-leash in a leash-required area
- destroys Council property by digging or otherwise
- is found off-leash when Council or contract workers are undertaking maintenance works
- is found outside your premises or at large (your dog may also be impounded)
Dogs are prohibited in playgrounds at any time.
Dogs must be kept on-leash within 10 metres of unfenced playground areas.
Dogs must be kept on-leash within 10 metres of exercise equipment.
Dogs must be kept on-leash on shared paths and 5 metres either side.
Dogs must be kept on-leash within 10 metres of all BBQ and picnic facilities.
Dogs must be kept on-leash within 10 metres of all skate park and BMX facilities.
Dogs are allowed off-leash in unfenced sporting grounds only when the grounds are not in use for approved sporting events (including training).
Dogs must be kept on-leash within 10 metres of sporting grounds when they are in use for approved sporting events (including training).
Dogs are not allowed on any sports grounds enclosed by fencing (except Victoria Park and Citizens Park) or any synthetic sports grounds.
Dogs must be kept on-leash within 10 metres of authorised school events or other approved public events.
Dogs are not allowed in Alphington Park wetlands.
Dogs are prohibited in mulched areas and garden beds in our parks and gardens.
Commercial dog walkers must keep all dogs in their care on-leash at all times except when in a designated and fenced off-leash areas. A person must only have a maximum of four dogs at any given time. If you are operating as a commercial dog walker in Yarra, you will require a permit.
Chickens
If you keep chickens in your backyard, you must ensure the animals have easy access to food and water and can move freely around their enclosure. Care should also be taken to protect your chickens from the weather and from disease and injury.
It is your responsibility to ensure your chickens do not disrupt your neighbours. In order to limit disturbance, you cannot not locate your chicken enclosure within:
- the front setback of your property to the street
- the side setback to a side street (excluding a lane)
- a distance of 2 metres from the boundary of any adjoining land in separate ownership or occupation
- 3 metres from any dwelling on any adjoining land in separate ownership or occupation.
Bees
You are allowed to keep bees as a hobby in Yarra.
You can keep 2 recreational beehives only. If you want to keep more than 2 hives you must be registered as an apiarist with the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning.
Your hives and the positioning and maintenance of them must be compliant with the Apiary Code of Practice and the Yarra Planning Scheme.
Wildlife is protected Victoria making it illegal to wilfully disturb or destroy wildlife. Learn about pets and wildlife by following the link below.
Microchipping
Microchipping provides permanent and unique identification, helping reunite lost or stolen animals with their owners.
Learn more about microchipping, and how to keep your details up to date, from the RSPCA.
Pets during fireworks and thunderstorms
Yarra experiences thunderstorms throughout the year. At times, fireworks are also used for celebrations. These events can impact on our pets' wellbeing.
Keep your pets safe during these events by learning about pets during fireworks and thunderstorms from Animal Welfare Victoria.
Reporting concerns about animal welfare
We encourage you to report any concerns about animals on a property without adequate water, shelter, food or veterinary treatment to the RSPCA or call 03 9224 2222.
The type of property you live in determines the number and types of animals you can keep.
| Animal type | Number per house | Number per unit of flat |
|---|---|---|
| Dogs | 2 (over 3 months old) | 1 (over 3 months old) |
| Cats | 2 (over 3 months old) | 1 (over 3 months old) |
| Birds | 15 | 2 |
| Chickens | 5 | 0 |
| Roosters | 0 | 0 |
| Guinea pigs, rabbits, mice | 4 (in total) | 2 (in total) |
| Ferrets | 2 | 2 |
We may issue fines or prosecute residents who do not follow the laws relating to their animals and pets.
You may get a fine for the following:
- failing to register your dog or cat. All dogs and cats over 3 months of age are required to be registered with Yarra City Council
- failing to renew your dog or cat's registration by 10 April each year
- a registered animal in public without a registration tag
- failing to pick up after your dog
- failing to carry bags to pick up after your dog
- your dog is roaming and not securely confined on your property
- when in a public place your dog is not complying with the Yarra City Council orders, for example dog off-leash in an on-leash area, failure to carry a leash or dogs in playgrounds
- animals creating a nuisance or trespassing onto private property (for example, a barking dog)
- keeping prohibited or excessive numbers of animals on your property.
You can lodge an appeal against an animal fine that has been issued to you.
You will need to apply for an excess animal permit to keep more than the number of animals shown in the table above. Application and permit fees apply.