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 minimum standards are met to keep birds or poultry 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
  • dispose of waste to prevent smell or odour
  • manage noise and avoid excessive vocalisation.

If you are keeping poultry, minimum enclosure requirements must also be met. These are prescribed within Council's Subordinate Local Law No. 12.1 (Animal Management) 2013(PDF, 2MB).

They include that the pen must be located:

  • more than one metre from your property boundary
  • at the rear of, and behind, any residence
  • more than 10 metres from 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 and be a responsible pet owner.

Permit requirements

Restrictions apply to the number of birds or poultry that can be kept depending on the size of a property.

Budgerigars, canaries, similar-sized birds and pigeons

Property size Number allowed Permit applicable
Less than 300m2 4 Yes for more than 4
300m2 - 1999m2 20 Yes for more than 20
2000m2 or more 30 Yes for more than 30

Cockatiels and similar-sized birds

Property size Number allowed Permit applicable
Less than 300m2 2 Yes for more than 2
300m2 - 1999m2 10 Yes for more than 10
2000m2 or more 30 Yes for more than 30

Cockatoos, galahs and similar-sized birds

Property size Number allowed Permit applicable
Less than 300m2 1 Yes for more than 1
300m2 - 1999m2 2 Yes for more than 2
2000m2 or more 4 Yes for more than 4

Geese, turkeys and ducks

Property size Number allowed Permit applicable
Less than 4000m2 0 Prohibited
4000m2 or more 1 per 300m2 No

Domestic hens

Property size Number allowed Permit applicable
600m2 or less 0 Prohibited
More than 600m2 1 per 150m2 No

Roosters, peacocks, ostriches and emus

Property size Number allowed Permit applicable
Less than 4000m2 0 Prohibited
4000m2 or more Minimum standards No

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

Permits are lifetime permits while your animals are on your property. If circumstances change, such as moving house, please inform the City of Gold Coast.

Permit fees must be paid at the time of permit lodgement – these fees are non-refundable.

Once your application has been received, Council officers will assess your property to determine if additional animals are suitable and do not impact on your neighbours.

A permit holder must comply with the minimum standards or may be liable for an on-the-spot fine or be required to remove the animals from the property.

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, 222KB)

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, 222KB)

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, 222KB)

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 excess animals permit

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

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