Local laws regulate the keeping of poultry and large animals within the City of Cockburn. Animal owners must ensure that animals are kept in a manner that does not cause a nuisance and complies with the requirements of the City’s Keeping of Animals Local Law 2026. For more information, contact the City's Health Services
All animal owners and occupiers must:
- Keep premises free from excrement, filth, food waste, and any other matter that may become offensive, injurious to health, or attract vermin.
- Take effective action to keep premises, as far as possible, free from insects, pests, and vermin.
- Ensure animal enclosures and surrounding areas are maintained in a clean and sanitary condition.
- Store animal feed in vermin-proof containers.
- Ensure animals do not cause a nuisance to neighbouring properties.
- Keep animals only on premises that are effectively drained and where drainage does not flow towards the wall or foundation of any building
Poultry Numbers Permitted Without a Permit
Poultry may only be kept for domestic purposes on land zoned Residential, Resource, Rural or Rural Living. The maximum number of poultry that may be kept without a permit depends on the lot size:
| Lot Size |
Maximum Poultry |
| Up to 600m² |
4 |
| 601m² to 800m² |
6 |
| 801m² to 1,000m² |
10 |
| 1,001m² to 5,000m² |
15 |
| More than 5,000m² |
30 |
Applications may be made to the City to keep numbers above these limits.
Poultry Restrictions
- Roosters, geese, turkeys, peafowl, and any other poultry likely to cause a nuisance are not permitted on residentially zoned land
- Poultry cannot be kept on land containing grouped or multiple dwellings, except where no more than two grouped dwellings are permitted.
Poultry Keeping Requirements
Where poultry are kept, owners must ensure:
- Poultry are enclosed at all times in a properly constructed and securely fastened enclosure.
- Enclosures are maintained in a clean, sanitary condition and good repair.
- All poultry feed is stored in vermin-proof containers.
- Poultry do not cause a nuisance to neighbouring properties.
Pigeon Numbers Permitted Without a Permit
Pigeons may only be kept on land zoned Residential, Resource, Rural or Rural Living.
Without a permit, up to 20 pigeons may be kept on a property. An application may be made to the City to keep more than 20 pigeons on land zoned Resource, Rural or Rural Living, provided the owner is a current financial member of a recognised incorporated racing pigeon body or is a registered pigeon fancier.
Pigeon Restrictions
Pigeons cannot be kept:
- On land less than 600m².
- Within a caravan park.
- On land containing grouped or multiple dwellings, except where no more than two grouped dwellings are permitted.
Pigeon Keeping Requirements
Where pigeons are kept, owners must ensure:
- Pigeons are enclosed at all times in a properly constructed and securely fastened enclosure.
- Enclosures comply with the construction requirements of the Code of Practice for Pigeon Keeping and Racing in Western Australia.
- Enclosures are maintained in a clean, sanitary condition and good repair.
- Enclosures are located at least 5 metres from adjoining dwellings and 9 metres from a public place or thoroughfare, unless otherwise approved by the City.
- All pigeon feed is stored in vermin-proof containers.
- Pigeons do not cause a nuisance to neighbouring properties.
- Pigeons are not exercised in a Residential zone. Outside a Residential zone, pigeons may only be exercised during the times specified in the Code of Practice.
Permit Conditions
Where a permit has been issued to keep more than 20 pigeons, permit holders must ensure:
- Homing and racing pigeons are only released for exercise during the hours specified in the Code of Practice.
- All other pigeons remain confined within approved cages, enclosures or lofts.
- Lofts and surrounding areas are maintained in a clean and sanitary condition.
- Loft litter is disposed of immediately by burial or by being securely bagged and placed in a household rubbish bin to prevent a nuisance.
Under the Local Law, a large animal includes animals such as cows, goats, horses, sheep, deer, camels, llamas, alpacas, pigs, emus and ostriches, including certain recognised miniature breeds.
Keeping Large Animals
Large animals may only be kept where:
- They comply with the requirements of the Local Law or an approved planning approval.
- No more than two large animals are kept on the property.
- The property is located within a Resource, Rural or Rural Living zone.
- Animals are kept at least 9 metres from any adjoining dwelling, public place or thoroughfare.
- The property is fenced to effectively confine the animals.
Miniature Large Animals
Up to two miniature cows, miniature goats, miniature horses or miniature sheep may be kept on land within Residential, Resource, Rural or Rural Living zones, provided:
- No other large animals are kept on the property.
- Animals are kept at least 9 metres from adjoining dwellings, public places and thoroughfares.
- Adequate fencing is provided to confine the animals.
Please contact the City’s Health Services for more information on poultry, livestock and large animals on 08 9411 3444 or at [email protected]