Excess animal permits

You need an excess animal permit if you want to keep more than the number of animals shown in the table.

A permit is required to help protect the health of pets and prevent inconvenience to your neighbours.

Animal type Number per house Number per unit or 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 (in total)

What are the excess animal permit fees?

  • Application fee: $65
  • Permit fee: $63

How do I prepare my excess animal permit application?

Follow the steps below to prepare your application:

  • Step 1: Download and complete an excess animal permit application.
  • Step 2: Submit your application to us.
  • Step 3: Pay the application fee once you receive the invoice from us.

How do I submit my application?

You can submit your application in 3 ways:

Approval of applications

Once the completed application has been received, your application will be assessed by an authorised officer. If your application is successful, we will send you an invoice for an excess animal permit. When you pay the fee we will issue you with the permit.

For more information call Yarra City Council on 9205 5555 or email [email protected]

Domestic animal business registration

Any business which makes a profit from selling pets, boarding pets or training pets is a domestic animal business.

The following businesses need to register with us if they are located in the City of Yarra:

  • an animal shelter, pound or pet shop
  • an enterprise which is run for profit that undertakes the breeding of dogs or cats
  • an enterprise which is run for profit that undertakes rearing, training or boarding of dogs or cats

Under the Domestic Animals Act 1994, all domestic animal businesses are required to be registered with their local council. The registration is for 12 months and is renewable on 9 April each year.

Businesses must comply with the requirements of the relevant codes of practice.

These codes of practice have been made by the State Government and set out how your business must operate. Codes of practice can be found on the State Government website.  

What are animal business permit fees?

The cost of registration is currently $455. This fee is subject to change each year.

How do I prepare my animal business permit application?

Follow the steps below to prepare your application:

How do I submit my application?

You can submit your application in 3 ways:

Approval of applications

Once the completed application has been received, your application will be assessed by an authorised officer. If your application is successful, we will send you an invoice for the relevant annual licence fee.

Once the annual licence fee has been paid we will send you the domestic animal business permit.

If you have a question about excess animal permits, you can ask us. 

For more information call Yarra City Council on 03 9205 5555 or email [email protected]

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