Keeping of Animals

The keeping of horses, cattle, cows, goats, pigs, sheep, and alpacas is not permitted in residential areas.

In accordance with Keeping of Poultry - Local Government (General) Regulation 2021, the keeping of poultry in residential areas is permitted provided you comply with the following requirements:

• Poultry is to be kept in a way that isn't a nuisance or dangerous to health. Poultry yards are to be located in the rear yard, kept clean and free from offensive odours.
• Chickens (Gallus Gallus) or Guineafowls must not be kept within 4.5 metres (or such greater distance as Council may determine in a particular case) of a dwelling, public hall, school or premises used for the manufacture, preparation, sale or storage of food.
• Ducks, geese, or turkeys must not be kept within 30 metres (or such greater distance as Council may determine in a particular case) of a dwelling, public hall, school or premises used for the manufacture, preparation, sale or storage of food.
• Roosters are not permitted to be kept.
• Rodents and other pest species are to be controlled.
• Feed should be kept in vermin proof containers until it is used for consumption.
• Feed, when given to an animal, shall be placed in containers, dishes or other means that can be taken away and cleaned at the end of the day.
• The maximum number of poultry (chickens or Guineafowls) that can be kept on a residential premises is five. The maximum number of poultry that can be kept on a large lot on rural residential premises is ten, in accordance with development standards: s.2.42 State Environment Planning Policy (Exempt and Complying Development Codes) 2008.
• Poultry must be housed in a purpose built structure. Development consent may be required for the structure. Please refer to the State Environment Planning Policy (Exempt and Complying Development Codes) 2008.

Keeping of horses and cattle

In accordance with Keeping of horses and cattle - Loval Government (General) Regulation 2021, horses and cattle being kept on rural premises must comply with the following requirements:

• Horses and cattle must not be kept within 9 metres (or such greater distance as the council may determine in a particular case) of a dwelling, school, shop, office, factory, workshop, church or other place of public worship, public hall or premises used for the manufacture, preparation or storage of food.
• They must be kept under such conditions as not to create a nuisance or to be dangerous or injurious to health.
• The floors of stables must be paved with concrete or mineral asphalt or other equally impervious material, and must be properly graded to drain. Development consent may be required for stables.
• Horse yards and cattle yards must be so enclosed as to prevent the escape of horses and cattle.
• Manure is to be collected and lawfully disposed of on a daily basis.
• Horses and cattle must be provided with a purpose built animal shelter. Development consent may be required. Please refer to the State Environment Planning Policy (Exempt and Complying Development Codes) 2008.

Keeping of pigs (swine)

In accordance with Keeping of pigs (swine) - Local Government (General) Regulation 2021, pigs (swine) being kept on rural premises must comply with the following requirements:

• Swine must not be kept in such a place or manner as to pollute any water supplied for use (or used, or likely to be used) by a person for drinking or domestic purposes, or in a dairy.
• Swine's dung must not be deposited in such a place or manner as to pollute any water.
• Swine must not be kept (and swine's dung must not be deposited) within 60 metres (or such greater distance as the council may determine in a particular case) of a dwelling, shop, office, factory, church or other place of public worship, workshop, school or public place in a city, town, village or other urban part of an area.
• Swine must be provided with a purpose built animal shelter. Development consent may be required. Please refer to the State Environment Planning Policy (Exempt and Complying Development Codes) 2008.

No commercial operation is to be undertaken, unless it is permissible within the land use zone or prior development consent has been obtained. If a complaint is received by Council and it is determined that the above requirements are not being adhered to, an Order under the Local Government Act 1993 may be issued to the owner of the property to regulate the number or manner in which they are kept.

For further information please contact our Environmental Health Officers on 02 4645 4000.