Custom catios in Yan Yean.
Escape-proof cat enclosures for Yan Yean homes, measured, built and installed by Carl, a local carpenter based in Nillumbik. Here's what the local cat rules mean for you, and what's worth knowing before you build.
Which cat rules apply in Yan Yean?
Most of Yan Yean, about 94% of its addresses, is in the City of Whittlesea, with a small part in the Shire of Nillumbik (about 5.7%). The reservoir and most of the land are in Whittlesea, with a small strip on the eastern side in Nillumbik. Not sure which side you're on? Type your address into VicPlan, or check your rates notice. A fully enclosed run meets the strictest of these rules, so it has you covered either way.
City of Whittlesea
24-hour cat containment since 2023 · about 94% of Yan Yean
- Cat containment
- 24-hour cat confinement since 1 August 2023. Cats must be kept on your property at all times, day and night.
- Registration
- Cats 3 months and over must be registered and microchipped, renewed yearly (due 10 April).
- Desexing
- Mandatory. All cats must be desexed before registration unless an exemption applies.
- Cats per property
- Up to two cats without a permit. Three or more needs an excess animals permit.
- Enclosure permit
- No animal permit to build a cat run. A building or planning permit may apply by size, height or setback, so check with the council.
Shire of Nillumbik
24/7 cat containment order · about 5.7% of Yan Yean
- Cat containment
- 24/7 confinement order in force. Your cat must stay on your property at all times unless securely confined. Started 30 September 2025, with an education-focused transition to October 2027.
- Registration
- Cats 3 months and older must be registered. The year runs 10 April to 9 April. Cat fee is $64.20, or $32.10 concession (as at 1 July 2026).
- Desexing
- All cats must be desexed and microchipped before council will register them. Exemptions are limited, mainly registered breeders.
- Cats per property
- Up to two cats (3 months or older) without a permit. More than two needs a council permit.
- Enclosure permit
- No animal permit needed, and council encourages enclosures. Usually no building permit under about 10 sq m and 3 m high, but green wedge overlays can trigger a planning permit. Check with council.
Council rules last reviewed October 2026. Local notes last reviewed September 2026.
Building a cat enclosure in Yan Yean.
Yan Yean is a scattered rural locality around Yan Yean Reservoir, made up of farms and larger rural holdings. Larger properties leave room for a generous run built off the house.
Yan Yean Reservoir Park's wetlands attract birds such as musk ducks, glossy ibis, white-faced herons and superb fairy-wrens, and kangaroos are common in the park.
Most of Yan Yean is a designated Bushfire Prone Area, with the Bushfire Management Overlay over parts of it. Apart from the reservoir land, it is largely Green Wedge Zone and Rural Conservation Zone, and the reservoir area is covered by a heritage overlay for the historic Yan Yean Water Supply System. You can look up the overlays on your own block for free on VicPlan (opens in a new tab).
Cat enclosures in Yan Yean, answered.
The things Yan Yean locals ask us before they build.
This information is not professional or legal advice, it's research we've collated to help you get started. Council rules change, so always check the current details with the City of Whittlesea (opens in a new tab) before you build. If any information here is wrong or out of date, please contact us so we can update it. We don't guarantee the accuracy of the information provided.
Do you build cat enclosures in Yan Yean?
Yes. Carl is based in Nillumbik and builds across Melbourne's north and east, Yan Yean included. Build a quote online, or get in touch and we'll book a free site visit.
Which council's cat rules apply in Yan Yean?
Most of Yan Yean, about 94% of its addresses, is in the City of Whittlesea, with a small part in the Shire of Nillumbik (about 5.7%). The reservoir and most of the land are in Whittlesea, with a small strip on the eastern side in Nillumbik. The rules that apply are the ones for the council your address is in. Type your address into VicPlan (opens in a new tab) and it will tell you, or check your rates notice. Each council has its own guide: Whittlesea and Nillumbik.
Do I need a permit for a cat enclosure in Yan Yean?
In Whittlesea: No animal permit to build a cat run. A building or planning permit may apply by size, height or setback, so check with the council. In Nillumbik: No animal permit needed, and council encourages enclosures. Usually no building permit under about 10 sq m and 3 m high, but green wedge overlays can trigger a planning permit. Check with council. It's also worth looking up your block on VicPlan (opens in a new tab), the state's free planning map, since overlays can change what needs a permit. We design around whatever applies.
How much does a cat enclosure cost in Yan Yean?
Every enclosure is built to fit the property, so there's no set price list. We come out to Yan Yean, measure up and give you a free written quote before any work starts. Here's how pricing works.
Cat enclosures near Yan Yean.
Enclosures to suit Yan Yean homes.
From a small window catio to netting over the whole backyard, here's what we build in Yan Yean and the suburbs around it.
Planning a cat enclosure in Yan Yean?
Tell us about your cats and your space. We'll be in touch to book a free site visit in Yan Yean, and can talk through what your council expects.
After a free quote? The quote builder gets you a sharper answer, faster. For anything else, use the form below and we'll get back to you.
