How many animals can I keep? 

There are restrictions on the numbers and types of animals you can keep in Yarra. The type of property you live in (house, flat or unit) will determine the number and types of animals you can keep.

You cannot keep any more animals or types of animals on your property other than the number of animals listed.

If your property is a house

Animal	Number
Dogs	2
Cats	2
Ferrets	2
Guinea pigs, rabbits, rats or mice	4
Chickens	5
Domestic birds/caged non poultry	15
Bee hives	2

You are not permitted to keep peafowl or guinea fowl, pheasants, turkeys, ducks and geese, roosters or poultry other than those specified.

If your property is a flat or unit

Animal	Number
Dogs	1
Cats	1
Domestic birds/caged non poultry	2
Guinea pigs, rabbits, rats, ferrets or mice	2

You are not permitted to keep farm animals, chickens, roosters, pheasants, peafowl or guinea fowl, turkeys, ducks and geese or poultry including those specified.

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

To apply for an excess animal permit, please find more information here.

Fines relating to animals

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.

Where can't I walk my dog off lead

Playgrounds

Dogs are prohibited in playgrounds at any time.

Dogs must be kept on-leash within 10 metres of unfenced playground areas.

Exercise equipment

Dogs must be kept on-leash within 10 metres of exercise equipment.

Shared pathways

Dogs must be kept on-leash on shared paths and 5 metres either side.

BBQ and picnic facilities

Dogs must be kept on-leash within 10 metres of all BBQ and picnic facilities.

Skate and BMX facilities

Dogs must be kept on-leash within 10 metres of all skate park and BMX facilities.

Sports activities

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.

Other authorised activities

Dogs must be kept on-leash within 10 metres of authorised school events or other approved public events.

Wetlands and garden beds

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

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.

Other Animals

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.

Keeping your chickens enclosed

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 City of Yarra Planning Scheme.