The City has a number of minimum standards, local laws and numbers of livestock allowed on your property. Learn more about your requirements and responsibilities as an owner and how to apply for a permit to keep additional animals.
Livestock is the general term used for farm animals or those animals used for cultivation for food, fibre or labour. These animals include cattle, horses, pigs, sheep, camels, goats, deer, llamas and the like.
For the protection of the animals and the local environment, there are a number of minimum standards, local laws and owner responsibilities you must meet in order to keep livestock on your property.
To keep your livestock without nuisance to your neighbours, you need to ensure that:
- livestock are confined your property at all times
- animals are adequately identified
- animals must not cause a noise, odour or pest nuisance
- adequate feed must be provided
- fences must be checked on a regular basis.
Stock register
You will need to register your livestock with the City. To do so, contact us via:
You will need to provide these details when you register:
- stock owner details
- property details
- stock description and number.
Agistment
Animal Management recommends you post appropriate signage with a contact number if your livestock are located on an agistment property. This will help residents or officers to notify you or the property owner/s if livestock are found lost or wandering.
Numbers allowed on a property size
Restrictions apply to the number of livestock that can be kept on a property.
| Type of animal |
Property size (metres2) |
Number allowed |
| Horses & cattle |
Less than 4000 |
Not allowed |
| Horses & cattle |
4000 or more |
1 per 4000m2 |
| Sheep, pigs & goats |
Less than 4000 |
Not allowed |
| Sheep, pigs & goats |
4000 or more |
1 per 4000m2 |
If you wish to keep more than the allowed number of livestock, you will need to apply for a permit.
Other legal requirements
- You may require development approval on your location and activity (i.e. horse stables or shelters). Refer to Planning & building for application requirements.
- Permit holder must comply with all the minimum standards or may be liable for an on-the-spot fine or be required to remove the animals from the property.
Apply using one of the options below.
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.