Poultry, pigeons and other animals
Poultry, pigeons and other animals

Poultry, pigeons and other animals

Poultry, pigeons and other animals

Information about keeping pigeons, poultry and other animals
Last updated on: 15 May 2024
In this article

Poultry restrictions

Poultry includes fowls, peafowls, turkeys, ducks and other domestic fowl.

How much poultry can you have?

People living in a residential area can only have up to six poultry birds at their home.

What are the rules for keeping poultry?

If you keep poultry, you need to make sure that:
  • All poultry are kept in a proper coop, except when they're let out for exercise
  • Poultry are kept at least five metres away from any house openings on other properties
  • Poultry are kept at least one metre away from the side or back boundary of your property
  • Poultry are kept at least six metres away from any street, public building, commercial place, or food business
  • The area is where poultry live is kept clean and free from poop, trash, food waste, and anything else that could smell bad.

Roosters

Customers can't keep roosters in any residential area.

How many pigeons can you have?

Customers living in a residential area can't keep more than 20 pigeons at their home.

What are the requirements for keeping pigeons?

Customers that keep pigeons need to make sure that:
  • All pigeons are kept in a proper pigeon loft, except when they're let out for exercise
  • The pigeon loft has no openings, including for ventilation, within six metres of any house on another property
  • Pigeons are kept at least one metre away from the side or back boundary of your property.
  • The pigeon loft has no openings, including for ventilation, within six metres of any street, public building, commercial place, or food business.

Rules for keeping aviary birds

Customers that keep aviary birds need to make sure that:
  • The bird aviary or cage is at least one metre away from any property boundary and at least six metres away from any house on another property
  • The noise from the birds must follow the noise levels in the Environmental Protection (Noise) Regulations 1997 and must not be too loud or annoying.

Noise considerations

When deciding to keep birds, customers need to think about the type of bird and how noisy they are.
The noise from the birds must follow the rules in the Environmental Protection (Noise) Regulations 1997, which customers can find on the Western Australian Legislation website (www.legislation.wa.gov.au).
Sometimes, people have had to get rid of certain birds because their noise bothered the neighbours. To keep noise down, make sure to keep the birds as far away from your neighbours as possible.

Large animals

Large animals include alpacas, cows, horses, sheep, goats, deer, camels, lamas, emus, ostriches and kangaroos. Pigs are not included.

Rules for keeping large animals

  • Customers can't keep a large animal unless they live in a rural or rural residential area.
  • Animals must be kept according to the rules of the local planning scheme for that area.
  • Customers living in a residential area with a density code of R2.5 (like the X-Kennel Zone lots in Canning Vale) must follow the local planning scheme rules for that zone
  • Large animals must not come closer than 10 metres to a house.

Exemption application process for poultry, pigeons and large animals

Sometimes, the rules about keeping poultry, pigeons, and large animals can be changed for responsible owners if it won't bother neighbours or cause health problems.
The City's Local Laws have special rules where customers can ask for an exemption (an approval) to keep more birds or have different distances than usual.
To apply for an exemption, customers need to include:
  • A statement explaining why they want an exemption
  • The number of birds they plan to keep
  • A site plan showing the size of their property, where the enclosure is, and how far it is from any boundaries and buildings on nearby lots
  • Proof of membership in a poultry or pigeon club (only if the customers has one)
  • A $66 application fee.
As part of this process, the City might inform the customer's neighbours who could be affected by their exemption request. They will have at least 14 days to share their thoughts with the City.
To get an application form, the customer should call the City at 1300 422 664.

Miniature pigs

A miniature pig is a pig that doesn't get taller than 700mm and doesn't weigh more than 100 kilograms when it's fully grown.

Rules for keeping miniature pigs

  • Customers can't keep regular pigs in the City, only miniature pigs
  • They need to apply to the City to keep one miniature pig on your property.
  • The pig must be sterilised.
  • They must show written proof that the pig is sterilised.
  • They must make sure the pig doesn't bother anyone
  • They must have proof that the pig's vaccinations and treatments for leptospirosis, erysipelas, roundworm, and tapeworm are up to date.

How can someone apply to keep a miniature pig?

Write to the City to ask for permission and include details about the miniature pig (breed, size, weight, the plan to care for it, and proof of sterilisation and vaccinations).
For more information, the customer should contact the City's Public Health and Amenity Team on 1300 422 664.

Issues with neighbours

  • Sometimes owners don't realise their animals are causing problems with their neighbours.
  • To help with this, the City encourages everyone to talk to their neighbours about any issues before making a complaint.
  • For more information on how to solve disputes with neighbours please click here

Anonymous requests

  • Customers can't make an official complaint about an animal owner anonymously.
  • They need to give their contact details when reporting the issue so the City can investigate it properly. Having their details will help keep the officers safe and allow the City to get more information if needed.
  • A customer's personal information won't be shared with anyone without their permission.

Raise a request

  • To report an issue with poultry, pigeons, and other animals, click the button below.
  • An officer will handle the customer's request within five (5) working days. This includes contacting the customer to clarify the complaint, checking for any safety risks for City staff, and explaining the complaint process.
  • Your contact details are required when lodging this issue to ensure a proper investigation can be completed.The customer's contact details are needed to make sure the investigation can be done properly
  • Please note, if the issue is about dogs or cats, go to the main Issue & Request page for help or call the City at 1300 4 CANNING (1300 422 664).