Keeping Animals

An owner or occupier of property must not keep or allow to be kept without a permit, a greater number of each type of animal other than as displayed in the list below.

Should a lawfully kept animal bear offspring, the litter will be exempt from the below laws for 12 weeks.

If you are unsure as to your property zoning you can do a Property and parcel search.

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Obtaining a permit to keep animals

For information on how to apply for a permit please visit the Local Laws Permits page.

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Wildlife

Wellington Shire Council is not legislatively authorised to deal with issues relating to wildlife.

For enquiries regarding wildlife (eg. snakes, birds, possums etc.) please visit the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action website.

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Animal restrictions by zone‍

Certain animals are bound by State and Commonwealth legislation in regards to the amount that can be kept on a property. Further details are available from the Agriculture Victoria website.

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Cats

Farming Zone: 4 Maximum
Rural Living Zone: 4 Maximum
Multi-Dwelling/Flat Lot (Area less than 400 sq/m): 1 Maximum
Other Zone (Including General Residential): 2 Maximum

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Dogs

Farming Zone: 5 Maximum
Rural Living Zone: 3 Maximum
Multi-Dwelling/Flat Lot (Area less than 400 sq/m): 1 Maximum
Other Zone (Including General Residential): 2 Maximum

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Domestic Birds

Farming Zone: No Maximum Limit
Rural Living Zone: No Maximum Limit
Multi-Dwelling/Flat Lot (Area less than 400 sq/m): No Maximum Limit
Other Zone (Including General Residential): No Maximum Limit

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Domestic Fish

Farming Zone: No Maximum Limit
Rural Living Zone: No Maximum Limit
Multi-Dwelling/Flat Lot (Area less than 400 sq/m): No Maximum Limit
Other Zone (Including General Residential): No Maximum Limit

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Domestic Mice

Farming Zone: No Maximum Limit
Rural Living Zone: No Maximum Limit
Multi-Dwelling/Flat Lot (Area less than 400 sq/m): 2 Maximum
Other Zone (Including General Residential): 10 Maximum

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Domestic Rabbits

Farming Zone: No Maximum Limit
Rural Living Zone: No Maximum Limit
Multi-Dwelling/Flat Lot (Area less than 400 sq/m): 1 Maximum
Other Zone (Including General Residential): 2 Maximum

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Domestic Turtles, Frogs, Tortoises etc.

Farming Zone: No Maximum Limit
Rural Living Zone: No Maximum Limit
Multi-Dwelling/Flat Lot (Area less than 400 sq/m): No Maximum Limit
Other Zone (Including General Residential): No Maximum Limit

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Ferrets

Farming Zone: 10 Maximum
Rural Living Zone: 10 Maximum
Multi-Dwelling/Flat Lot (Area less than 400 sq/m): Not Permitted
Other Zone (Including General Residential): 2 Maximum

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Goats

Farming Zone: In accordance with State and Commonwealth legislation
Rural Living Zone: In accordance with State and Commonwealth legislation
Multi-Dwelling/Flat Lot (Area less than 400 sq/m): Not Permitted
Other Zone (Including General Residential): Permit Required

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Guinea Pigs

Farming Zone: No Maximum Limit
Rural Living Zone: No Maximum Limit
Multi-Dwelling/Flat Lot (Area less than 400 sq/m): 2 Maximum
Other Zone (Including General Residential): 2 Maximum

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Horses/Donkeys etc.

Farming Zone: In accordance with State and Commonwealth legislation
Rural Living Zone: In accordance with State and Commonwealth legislation
Multi-Dwelling/Flat Lot (Area less than 400 sq/m): Not Permitted
Other Zone (Including General Residential): Permit Required

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Livestock

Farming Zone: In accordance with State and Commonwealth legislation
Rural Living Zone: In accordance with State and Commonwealth legislation
Multi-Dwelling/Flat Lot (Area less than 400 sq/m): Not Permitted
Other Zone (Including General Residential): Permit Required

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Other Agricultural Animals (Not listed)

Farming Zone: In accordance with State and Commonwealth legislation
Rural Living Zone: In accordance with State and Commonwealth legislation
Multi-Dwelling/Flat Lot (Area less than 400 sq/m): Not permitted
Other Zone (Including General Residential): Not permitted

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Pigs

Farming Zone: In accordance with State and Commonwealth legislation
Rural Living Zone: In accordance with State and Commonwealth legislation
Multi-Dwelling/Flat Lot (Area less than 400 sq/m): Not Permitted
Other Zone (Including General Residential): Not Permitted

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Poultry

Farming Zone: Unrestricted
Rural Living Zone: 20 Maximum
Multi-Dwelling/Flat Lot (Area less than 400 sq/m): 1 Maximum
Other Zone (Including General Residential): 10 Maximum

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Roosters

Farming Zone: Unrestricted
Rural Living Zone: 1 Maximum
Multi-Dwelling/Flat Lot (Area less than 400 sq/m): 0
Other Zone (Including General Residential): Permit Required

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Sheep

Farming Zone: In accordance with State and Commonwealth legislation
Rural Living Zone: In accordance with State and Commonwealth legislation
Multi-Dwelling/Flat Lot (Area less than 400 sq/m): Not Permitted
Other Zone (Including General Residential): Permit Required