Bird & poultry requirements & permits

Many Gold Coast residents own birds for a variety of reasons, including companionship and special interest. Learn about your requirements and responsibilities when owning birds or poultry and the numbers allowed on your property.

To ensure that your birds or poultry are kept without causing nuisance to your neighbours, you are required to:

  • keep your birds or poultry contained to an aviary or enclosure
  • keep seed or any bird food in a sealed, vermin-proof container
  • thoroughly clean aviaries and enclosures on a weekly basis
  • avoid excessive vocalisation from your birds.

Minimum enclosure standards must also be met to keep poultry. These are prescribed within Council's Local Law No. 12 (Animal Management) 2013(PDF, 363KB) and include that the pen must not be located:

  • less than one metre from your property boundary
  • at the rear of, and behind, any residence
  • within 10 metres of any residence, food storage or preparation area.

To learn more about your birds and poultry and where to seek help, see our page on how to care for them.

Permit requirements

Restrictions apply to the number of birds or poultry that can be kept on a property. Visit the Quick guide to keeping pets on the Gold Coast(PDF, 624KB) to find out about the number and type of animals that may be kept on your property size.

Exclusions apply to members of approved aviculture societies and the Pigeon Racing Association. Contact us for further information.

If you wish to keep more than the allowed number of birds and poultry, you will need to apply for a permit.

Apply by using one of the options below.

By email

Step 1.Gather your documents

To apply for a permit to keep excess birds and/or poultry, you need to provide:

  • your contact details – including your residential address, postal address and phone number
  • Pension Concession Card or Department of Veterans Affairs Card (if applicable).

Step 2.Complete the application form

Download and complete the Permit to keep excess animals form(PDF, 250KB)

Step 3.Send us your completed application form

Email to: mail@goldcoast.qld.gov.au

A request for payment will be issued via email to process your application.

In person

Step 1.Gather your documents

To apply for a permit to keep excess birds and/or poultry, you need to provide:

  • your contact details – including your residential address, postal address and phone number
  • Pension Concession Card or Department of Veterans Affairs Card (if applicable).

Step 2.Complete the application form

Download, print and complete the Permit to keep excess animals form(PDF, 250KB)

Step 3.Visit one of our customer service centres

Our customer service centres are open Monday to Friday between 8.15am and 4.30pm.

Payment for this permit can be made by MasterCard, Visa, debit card or cheque. EFTPOS is available at our customer service centres.

By mail

Step 1.Gather your documents

To apply for a permit to keep excess birds and/or poultry, you need to provide:

  • your contact details – including your residential address, postal address and phone number
  • Pension Concession Card or Department of Veterans Affairs Card (if applicable).

Step 2.Complete the application form

Download, print and complete the Permit to keep excess animals form(PDF, 250KB)

Step 3.Send us your completed application form

Post to:

City of Gold Coast
PO Box 5042
GCMC QLD 9726

Include a cheque or money order made payable to City of Gold Coast for the permit fee amount.

Amend animal breeder or excess animals permit

Use the Amend animal breeder / excess animals permit form to apply to let us know of the following changes:

  • approval holder contact details (e.g. address, email, nominate a new contact person)
  • business name and/or contact details
  • dog/cat/livestock details, including removing/adding animals to your permit.

Report a problem

For Animal Management enquiries, contact us on 07 5667 5990.

Use our online Report a problem – Animals page to let us know about property owners who may not be meeting their responsibilities as an owner or are keeping more than the allowable number of animals.

Learn more about

Local laws

Related information

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