Every council, side by side

Cat rules for every Victorian council.

Curfews, enclosure permits, cat limits, desexing and what's changing, for all 79 councils on one page. Filter by the kind of rule, or search for your council, then open its full guide for the detail and links to the council's own pages. Last reviewed October 2026.

Disclaimer

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 your own council 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 If any information here is wrong or out of date, please contact us so we can update it.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.

79 councils

Council	Curfew / containment	Enclosure permits	Cats allowed	Microchip / desex	Upcoming changes
Shire of AlpineVictorian High CountryFull guide	Changing24-hour cat curfew from 1 July 202724-hour cat curfew starts 1 July 2027; from then your cat must stay on your property at all times, day and night	No animal permit for a cat run within the limit; a big or tall build can need a building permit	Up to two cats without a permit; more needs council approval	Not compulsory, but desexed cats and pensioners pay less; microchip needed before you register	1 July 2027 24-hour cat curfew introduced
Rural City of AraratGrampians regionFull guide	No curfewNo cat curfewNo council curfew or containment law, but the council strongly encourages owners to keep cats on their own property	No animal permit for a cat run; a building permit can apply once it gets large or tall, so check with the council	Up to two cats in an urban area or four on rural land without a permit; more needs council approval under the local law	Not mandatory, but desexed cats pay a much lower registration fee	None announced
City of BallaratCentral HighlandsFull guide	Night curfewNight curfew, sunset to sunriseNight curfew: cats must stay on your property between sunset and sunrise.	No animal permit for a cat run itself; a building permit can apply based on size or height, so check with the council.	Up to two cats; keeping more needs an excess animal permit (farmland is exempt).	Not compulsory, but desexed cats cost much less to register; a microchip is required first.	None announced
City of BanyuleNorth-East MelbourneFull guide	Night curfewNight cat curfew 7pm-7amNight curfew 7pm to 7am, a two-year trial that started 1 February 2025 and currently runs until 31 January 2027; cats must be kept on your property during those hours.	No animal permit for a cat run; a building or planning permit can apply by size, height, boundary or overlay, so check with the council.	Up to 2 cats without a permit; an excess animal permit is needed beyond that.	Not compulsory, but desexed and microchipped cats pay a lower fee; microchip is required before registering.	31 January 2027 Curfew trial period ends June 2027 Council report on the curfew trial due
Shire of Bass CoastPhillip Island & Bass CoastFull guide	24/724/7 cat containment since 1 July 2023Yes. A 24/7 containment order has applied since 1 July 2023, so cats must be kept on your property at all times, day and night. A fine can apply if your cat wanders.	A cat run itself needs no animal permit. A building permit can be triggered by the size, height or siting of a structure, so check with the council's building team before you start.	Up to two cats on a block under 0.5 hectares, or up to four on 0.5 to 2 hectares. More than that needs an excess animal permit.	The council will not register a new cat unless it is desexed, or exempt under the Domestic Animals Act 1994. Desexed cats also pay a lower registration fee.	None announced
Shire of Baw BawWest GippslandFull guide	24/724-hour cat curfew24-hour curfew. Cats must be kept securely confined to your property at all times under the Community Local Law.	A cat run usually needs no animal permit. A bigger or taller build can trigger a building or planning permit, so check with the council.	Up to two cats on a residential block, or up to five on a rural property, before you need an Excess Animals Permit.	All cats in the shire must be desexed unless an exemption applies. Desexed cats and pension concession holders pay a lower fee.	None announced
City of BaysideBayside MelbourneFull guide	Night curfewOvernight cat curfewOvernight curfew: cats confined to your property 6pm to 6am, or 9pm to 6am during daylight saving. No 24-hour containment.	No animal permit for a cat run itself, but a building permit can apply depending on size and height, so check with the council.	Up to two cats without an excess animal permit; more needs council approval.	Cats must be desexed and microchipped before registration, with limited exceptions.	None announced
Rural City of BenallaNorth-East VictoriaFull guide	24/7Cats confined to property 24/7Cats must be securely confined to your property at all times, day and night, in place since February 2022	No animal permit for a cat run; a building permit can apply once it gets large or tall, so check with the council	Up to two cats on a residential property; more needs an excess animal permit	Not mandatory, but desexed cats and concession holders pay a lower registration fee with proof	None announced
City of BoroondaraInner-East MelbourneFull guide	ChangingSunset to sunrise curfew from 10 April 2027Councillors adopted a night-time cat curfew on 27 July 2026. From 10 April 2027 cats must be kept on their owner's property from sunset to sunrise. Cats registered with Boroondara on or before 9 April 2027 (and kept registered) won't have the curfew applied to them. A secure backyard or enclosure within your boundary is fine.	No council animal permit is needed for a cat enclosure. A building or planning permit can still apply for larger or taller structures, and Boroondara has extensive heritage overlays, so check with the council first.	Up to 2 cats aged over 3 months per property without a permit. More than that needs an Excess Animal Permit and a property inspection.	Desexing is recommended, not mandatory, but a desexed cat pays a much lower registration fee. Microchipping is required before you can register.	9 April 2027 Last day to register for curfew exemption 10 April 2027 Sunset to sunrise cat curfew starts 31 December 2029 Council review of cat management
City of BrimbankWestern MelbourneFull guide	Changing24/7 containment from 2028No curfew today, but all cats must be kept on the property at all times from 1 January 2028. The transition period started in July 2026, and council plans a period of warnings after the start date before fines are issued.	A cat run needs no animal permit. A building permit can apply if it's large or tall, so check with the council.	Up to two cats without a permit; more than two needs an excess animal permit.	Brimbank has an order making desexing compulsory before a cat can be registered. Exemptions cover a written vet health exemption, members of an applicable organisation and registered breeding businesses. Microchip required too. Exempt cats pay a much higher fee.	2028 Warning period before fines 1 January 2028 24/7 cat containment starts
Shire of BulokeSouthern Mallee & WimmeraFull guide	No curfewNo fixed cat curfewNo council cat curfew. State trespass rules apply, so a cat that repeatedly enters other properties can be seized and impounded.	No animal permit for the cat run itself. A building permit can apply based on size, height, setback or overlay, so check with the council.	Two cats in a house, or one cat in a unit. To keep more you need a council permit.	Microchipping is required before first registration. Desexed cats and concession card holders pay a lower registration fee.	None announced
Shire of CampaspeGoulburn Valley & MurrayFull guide	No curfewNo cat curfew yetNo cat curfew or containment law at present. The council's animal management plan flags containment as an option, but no decision has been announced.	No animal permit for a cat run. A building permit can apply depending on size, height and setback. Check with the council.	No more than two cats on any property without a permit. Keeping more needs a council permit.	Microchip needed before you can register. Desexed cats pay a lower fee. Check current rates with the council.	None announced
Shire of CardiniaSouth-East MelbourneFull guide	24/724/7 cat containmentCats must stay on your property at all times. The 24-hour cat curfew is a council order under the Domestic Animals Act and has applied since 2000.	No animal permit for a cat run itself. A building permit may apply if it is over about 10 square metres or 3 metres high, or close to a boundary. Check with the council.	Up to two cats without a permit, or up to four on land over 4000 square metres. More than that needs an excess animal permit.	Council rules require all cats over 3 months to be desexed, and cats must be desexed before they can be registered.	None announced
City of CaseySouth-East MelbourneFull guide	24/7Cats confined to your propertyCats must be kept on your property at all times under the Casey Community Local Law 2025 and the Domestic Animals Act 1994. Cats can't be kept at all in some estates near the Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne.	No animal permit for a cat run itself. A building or planning permit can apply by size, height, setback or overlay, so check with the council.	Up to two cats without an excess animal permit, or up to four on land over 4,000 square metres. More than that needs a permit.	Cats must be microchipped and desexed before Casey will register them, unless a vet grants an exemption. Desexed cats and concession holders pay less.	None announced
Shire of Central GoldfieldsGoldfieldsFull guide	No curfewNo cat curfew currentlyNo council cat curfew at present, so cats aren't required to be confined. The 2026 to 2029 animal management plan proposes a 24-hour or dusk-till-dawn curfew order within its first two years.	No animal permit for a cat run itself; a building permit can apply based on size or height, so check with the council.	Up to two cats without a permit in residential or commercial areas, or four cats in rural or farming areas. More needs a council permit.	Not compulsory, but desexed and microchipped cats pay a lower fee; a microchip is required before you can register.	None announced
Shire of Colac OtwayOtways and Great Ocean RoadFull guide	Night curfewCat confinement 7pm to 7amCats must be confined to your property between 7pm and 7am, either indoors (or in another building) or in an escape-proof structure, under the council's Cat Confinement Order, in effect since 1 November 2023.	No animal permit for the cat run itself, but a building permit can apply to larger or taller structures, so check with the council.	Up to 3 cats on a block of 0.25ha or less, 4 on 0.25 to 1ha, or 5 above 1ha before you need a council permit.	Not compulsory, but desexed cats pay a much lower fee ($31 versus $138 for 2026-27, and council fees change each year). Microchipping is required before you can register.	None announced
Shire of CorangamiteSouth-West VictoriaFull guide	24/7Cats must be confined to your property at all timesNo set curfew hours, but council says cats must be kept on your property at all times, and the local law requires animals to be secured so they can't escape	No animal permit for a cat run; a building permit can apply once it gets large or tall, so check with the council	Up to 3 cats in an urban area or 5 elsewhere without a permit; more than that needs a council permit	Not mandatory, but desexed cats pay a lower fee and concession holders get a discount	None announced
City of DarebinInner-North MelbourneFull guide	Night curfewNight cat curfew 7pm to 7am dailyNight curfew since 1 Jan 2021: cats must stay on your property from 7pm to 7am, every day. Council's 2026-2029 plan reviews the curfew in 2026 and considers a 24-hour version, with a two-year lead time before any change starts.	No animal permit for a cat run. A building or planning permit can apply by size, height or heritage overlay, so check with the council.	Up to 2 cats without a permit; 3 or more needs a council animal permit.	Not compulsory yet, but council's 2026-2029 plan proposes making cat desexing mandatory, with a council decision slated for 2027. Desexed cats register far cheaper and there's a free cat desexing program. Microchipping is required.	2026 Council review of the 7pm to 7am curfew 2027 Council decision on mandatory cat desexing
Shire of East GippslandEast GippslandFull guide	24/724-hour cat containmentCats must stay on your property day and night. East Gippsland has run 24-hour containment since 2002, so there is no roaming, even during the day.	A cat run needs no animal permit. A building permit can apply once it gets large or tall, so check with the council.	Up to two cats in residential areas and six in farming areas. Keeping more needs the council's permission.	Microchipping is needed before registration and desexed cats pay a lower fee. The council has also run a discount desexing program for residents doing it tough, so ask what's on offer.	None announced
City of FrankstonBayside & South-East MelbourneFull guide	Night curfewDusk-to-dawn cat curfewCats must stay home dusk to dawn now, with a 24-hour curfew being phased in through 2026-2027	No animal permit for a cat run; a building or planning permit can apply depending on size, height and location	Up to two cats without a permit; more needs an excess animal permit, up to a limit of five	Microchip needed before registering; cats must be desexed to register unless you hold a valid exemption	2026 Education campaign and support ahead of the 24-hour rule 2027 24-hour cat confinement order due to be in place 2027 First review of the 24-hour confinement order
Shire of GannawarraLoddon MalleeFull guide	No curfewNo fixed cat curfewNo council cat curfew yet. Council promotes the voluntary Safe Cat, Safe Wildlife approach, cats are banned from certain designated public areas, and its 2026-2029 animal plan includes investigating an order to confine cats.	No animal permit for the cat run itself. A building permit can apply based on size, height, setback or overlay, so check with the council.	The Community Amenity Local Law 2023 sets a limit on how many cats you can keep. To go over it you need a council permit, so check with the council.	Microchipping is required before first registration. Desexing is not compulsory, but desexed cats and concession card holders pay a lower fee.	None announced
City of Glen EiraSouth-East MelbourneFull guide	ChangingNight curfew 7pm to 6am from late 2026Night-time curfew: cats kept on the property between 7pm and 6am, moving to full enforcement in late 2026.	A cat run needs no animal permit; a building or planning permit can apply to larger or taller structures, so check with the council.	Up to two cats without a permit; a council permit is needed to keep more.	Not compulsory, but desexed cats pay a lower fee; a microchip is needed before you register.	2026 Night-time curfew comes into effect (late 2026)
Shire of GlenelgSouth-West coastFull guide	Night curfewCat curfew 7pm to 7amNight curfew: cats must be securely confined to your property between 7pm and 7am.	No animal permit for a cat run, and the council actively backs them; a building permit can apply to larger structures.	Keeping more than two cats needs an Excess Animal Permit; rural limits can differ, so check with the council.	Microchip is required before you register; desexed cats pay a lower fee.	2027 Council campaigns on cat containment rules 2028 Report to council on mandatory cat desexing
Shire of Golden PlainsBetween Geelong & BallaratFull guide	No curfewNo formal cat curfewNo council curfew, and the 2026-2029 animal plan doesn't add one; owners are asked to contain cats and get a reduced rego fee for an approved enclosure	No animal permit for a cat run itself; a building permit may apply to larger structures, so check with the council	Up to two; keeping more needs an excess animal permit from the council	Desexed cats pay a much lower fee; subsidised desexing is available for eligible residents	None announced
City of Greater BendigoLoddon MalleeFull guide	24/724/7 cat containment24/7. Since 1 July 2024 cats must be kept securely on your property at all times, day and night.	Usually none for a freestanding cat run under 10 sqm floor area and under 3m high. Check with the council for anything larger or attached to the house.	Up to 3 cats at a residential property without a permit. You can apply to keep more.	Cats must be microchipped before you register. Desexing isn't compulsory, but desexed cats and concession holders pay a lower fee, set yearly by the council.	None announced
City of Greater DandenongSouth-East MelbourneFull guide	Night curfewDusk to dawn cat curfewNight curfew: cats must stay on your property from dusk until dawn, enforced since April 2024.	No animal permit for a cat run itself; a building permit can apply once it gets larger or is roofed, so check with the council.	Up to two cats without a permit; keeping more needs an excess animals permit.	Not compulsory, but desexed cats pay a much lower fee for life; a certificate is needed.	None announced
City of Greater GeelongGeelong & the BellarineFull guide	Night curfewCat curfew: sunset to sunriseNight curfew: cats must stay on your property from sunset to sunrise, indoors or in an enclosure. Commit to keeping your cat contained day and night and you get at least 50% off registration.	A cat run rarely needs an animal permit; a building permit can apply to larger or taller structures, so check with the council.	Up to 2 cats at most homes; more needs a multiple animal permit.	Cats must be desexed and microchipped before they can be registered.	None announced
City of Greater SheppartonGoulburn ValleyFull guide	24/724-hour cat curfew24-hour curfew, your cat must stay on your property day and night	No animal permit for a cat run; a building permit can apply over about 10 sqm or 3 m high. Check with the council	Up to 2 in residential areas (4 on farming land under 2 ha); more needs a permit	Cats must be desexed and microchipped before they can be registered	None announced
Shire of HepburnCentral HighlandsFull guide	Night curfewNight cat curfew, 6:30pm to 6:30amCats must stay on your property from 6:30pm to 6:30am, or 8:30pm to 6:30am during daylight saving. Shire-wide, in place since 1 July 2023.	A cat run needs no animal permit; a building or planning permit can apply depending on size, height, setback and any overlays.	Up to 2 cats under the council's Local Law No. 2, whatever the size of your block; keeping more needs an excess animal permit.	Not set as a blanket requirement across the shire, but desexed cats pay the lower registration fee.	None announced
Shire of HindmarshWimmera-MalleeFull guide	Night curfewDusk to dawn curfew in residential zonesUnder the Municipal Local Law, cats must not roam at large between dusk and dawn in a residential zone. Cats found wandering or not securely confined can mean a fine.	A cat run usually needs no animal permit. A building permit can apply once a structure gets larger or taller, so check with the council.	Up to two cats over 3 months in a residential or township zone without a permit. More than that needs an excess animal permit.	Not compulsory, but desexed cats pay a much lower registration fee and the council runs a low-cost desexing program. A microchip is required before registration.	None announced
City of Hobsons BayWestern Melbourne baysideFull guide	No curfewNo cat curfewNo cat curfew in Hobsons Bay yet. Cats don't have to be confined, but a proposed containment or curfew order is due to go to council in 2026 under its animal management plan.	A cat run needs no animal permit. A building or planning permit can apply for larger or taller structures, or ones near a boundary or in an overlay, so check with the council.	Up to 2 cats without a permit. Keeping more needs an additional animal permit, and the council rarely allows more than five of a type.	Cats must be microchipped before registering. Desexed cats pay a lower fee, and concession-card holders get a further discount.	2026 Proposed cat containment or curfew order due to council
Rural City of HorshamWimmeraFull guide	Night curfewCat curfew: sunset to sunriseCat curfew: keep your cat on your property from sunset to sunrise	No animal permit for a cat run; a building permit can apply depending on size, height or setback	2 cats in the urban area, 3 outside it (not farm land) and 5 on farm land; more needs an excess animal permit	Microchip required before you register; desexed cats pay a lower fee and pension card holders get 50% off	None announced
City of HumeNorthern MelbourneFull guide	No curfewNo cat curfew in force yetNo curfew in force yet. The council's new animal plan commits it to putting a cat curfew proposal to council in 2026, so check with the council for the latest.	A cat run usually needs no animal permit. A building permit can apply for larger or taller structures, so check with the council.	Without a permit: 1 cat in a flat, unit or townhouse, 2 on a house block under 4,000 square metres, 3 on 4,000 to 10,000 square metres and 4 above that. Any more needs a Multiple Animal Permit.	Microchip is required before you register. Desexing isn't compulsory but desexed cats pay a lower fee. The council's free desexing program has now closed, so ask your local vet.	2026 Cat curfew proposal due to go to council
Shire of IndigoNorth-East VictoriaFull guide	24/724-hour cat curfew24-hour curfew since 1 May 2024. Cats must stay on your property at all times.	No animal permit for a cat run. A building permit can apply to a larger or taller structure. Check with the council.	Up to 2 cats (and 2 dogs) without a permit. Keeping more needs written council approval.	Cats registered for the first time must be desexed. Microchip needed before registering.	None announced
City of KingstonBayside & South-East MelbourneFull guide	Night curfewNight curfew, sunset to sunriseCats must be securely confined to your property between sunset and sunrise. There is no 24/7 rule yet, but the council is reviewing the curfew and considering one for the future.	A cat run needs no animal permit; a building permit can apply for larger or taller structures, so check with the council.	Up to 2 cats on most blocks (up to 4 on blocks over 4000 sqm); more needs an excess animal permit.	Proof of microchipping is required to register; desexed cats and pensioners pay a lower fee.	None announced
City of KnoxOuter-East MelbourneFull guide	24/724-hour cat containment since April 2022Yes. A 24-hour cat curfew has applied since 10 April 2022, so cats must stay on your property at all times. A fine can apply if your cat wanders.	No building permit for portable cat enclosures or a freestanding backyard run under 10 sqm and less than 2.4 m high. A roofed enclosure attached to the house may need one, so check with the council.	Up to 2 cats without a permit on blocks under 4,000 sqm. From 1 January 2027 the new Amenity Local Law applies the 2-cat limit to every property, whatever its size. More than that needs an additional animal permit, renewed each year.	Cats must be desexed before they can be registered (compulsory desexing in Knox since 2011), unless there is a vet medical exemption.	1 January 2027 New Amenity Local Law takes effect
City of LatrobeLatrobe Valley, GippslandFull guide	Night curfewNight cat curfew 9pm to 6amNight curfew: cats must be securely confined to your property from 9pm to 6am, seven days a week. The order is due for review in 2026/27.	No animal permit for a cat run itself; a building permit can apply once a structure is over about 10 sqm or 3m high, or close to a boundary. Check with the council.	Up to 2 cats without a permit; a Keeping of Animals permit is needed for more. The council adopted a new Community Amenity Local Law in 2026, so check the current permit conditions with the council.	Cats must be desexed and microchipped to register, with limited exemptions.	2026 Curfew order due for review in 2026/27
Shire of LoddonLoddon MalleeFull guide	No curfewNo formal cat curfewNo night-time curfew has been declared, but the council says owners should keep their cats confined to their property at all times.	No animal permit for a cat run. A building permit can apply depending on size, height and setback. Check with the council.	Up to 2 cats without a permit on residential and rural living blocks, or 5 on farming land of 4 hectares or more. Any more needs a Local Law permit.	Microchip needed before you can register. Desexed cats pay a much lower fee. Check current rates with the council.	2027 Cat containment options paper goes to council 2027 Possible containment trial in one or two townships
Shire of Macedon RangesCentral VictoriaFull guide	Night curfewSunset-to-sunrise cat curfewNight curfew now: cats must stay on your property from sunset to sunrise (in place since 1 July 2020, and kept in the new Dog and Cat Order 2026 from 1 October 2026). The council's 2026-2029 animal plan moves to 24-hour containment in 2029, pushed back from the 2028 date first proposed.	No animal permit needed for a cat run. A building permit can be triggered by size, height or boundary setbacks, and bushfire, environmental or heritage overlays are common across the shire. Check with the council.	Up to 2 cats on land under 4,000 sqm (1 acre), or up to 4 on land of 4,000 sqm or more, without a permit; keeping more needs council approval. Planning controls may also apply.	Not compulsory across the shire yet, but desexed cats pay a much lower fee, and the council runs low-cost desexing days for eligible residents. Mandatory desexing is being looked at under the new animal management plan.	2029 24-hour cat containment due to start
City of ManninghamNorth-East MelbourneFull guide	24/724-hour cat confinement since April 202424-hour Cat Confinement Order since 1 April 2024. Your cat must stay within your property boundary at all times, not just at night.	No animal permit needed for a cat run. A building permit is usually not required under about 10 sqm and 3 m high, but check setbacks and any overlays.	Up to 2 cats on a residential block without a permit. More than that needs an additional animal permit ($160 application fee).	Not compulsory in Manningham, but desexed cats pay a much lower registration fee (about $45 vs $183 in 2026-27).	None announced
Shire of MansfieldHigh CountryFull guide	No curfewNo mandatory cat curfewNo set curfew, but the council encourages keeping your cat contained to your property and, under state law, cats can't trespass on other properties.	A cat run itself needs no animal permit. A building permit can apply once a structure is larger or taller, so check with the council first.	Up to 2 cats on land up to 4000m2, or up to 4 cats on land over 4000m2 or in a Rural Zone, without a permit under the Community Local Law 2026-2035. More than that needs a council permit.	Not stated as compulsory shire-wide, but desexed cats pay a lower fee (bring a desexing certificate or a vet letter). Check with the council.	None announced
City of MaribyrnongInner-West MelbourneFull guide	Night curfewCat curfew 7pm to 7amNight curfew since 1 July 2026: cats must be confined to your property, indoors or in a secure enclosure, between 7pm and 7am each day.	A freestanding cat run under 10 sqm and 3m high usually needs no building permit. Check with the council for anything larger.	Up to three cats on a standard property, or two in a flat, before you need a multiple pet permit.	Microchipping is required before registration. Desexed cats pay a lower fee and the council supports desexing; check the current rule with the council.	None announced
City of MaroondahOuter-East MelbourneFull guide	Night curfewNight curfew: cats in from sunset to sunriseNight curfew under Local Law 2023: cats must be confined to your property from sunset to sunrise each day. Council also recommends keeping cats safe at home at all times.	No animal permit needed for a cat run. A building permit generally isn't required for a freestanding structure 10m² or less and 3m or under in height; larger, taller or heritage/overlay sites can trigger one.	Up to 2 cats over 3 months old without a permit. More than that on a block of 0.5ha or less needs a Keeping Additional Animals permit.	Not compulsory, but desexed cats pay far less to register (around $59 vs $174 a year for 2026/27, and council fees change yearly), so it is strongly encouraged.	None announced
City of MelbourneInner Melbourne / CBDFull guide	Night curfewNight curfew 6pm to 8amNight curfew: cats must stay on your property from 6pm to 8am, and are banned from waterways and 14 major parks at all times. The order has been in force since 1 October 2025.	A cat run needs no animal permit. A freestanding one under 10 sqm and 3 m high generally needs no building permit either. Check with the council for attached, larger or heritage-overlay builds.	A permit may be needed to keep more than a set number, and apartments can have tighter limits. Check the number with the council.	All cats in the City of Melbourne must be desexed (in force since 1 October 2025), and microchipped before they can be registered.	None announced
City of MeltonOuter-West MelbourneFull guide	24/7Keep your cat on your propertyNo timed curfew, but the local law requires you to keep your cat contained on your property so it can't escape. Cats are banned in Eynesbury.	A cat run needs no animal permit, but the local law sets boundary setbacks and a building permit can apply if it's large or tall. Check with the council.	Up to two cats without a permit on land of 4,000 square metres or less, up to five on land under 20,000 square metres. Going over the limit needs an animal permit.	Microchip before registering. Cats must be desexed to be registered (limited exemptions); desexed cats and concession holders pay less.	None announced
City of Merri-bekInner-North MelbourneFull guide	ChangingCat curfew from 1 April 2027No curfew yet. From 1 April 2027, an overnight 7pm to 7am curfew for cats registered before then, and 24-hour containment for cats registered after	A cat run needs no animal permit; a bigger or taller build can trigger a building or planning permit, so check with the council	Up to 2 cats at a house, or 1 in a flat, unit or apartment, before you need an excess animal permit	Compulsory to register a cat for the first time; cats must also be microchipped before you register	1 April 2027 Cat curfew starts
Rural City of MilduraSunraysia / MalleeFull guide	No curfewNo set cat curfewNo set curfew hours, but the council asks that all cats be kept confined to your property	No animal permit for a cat run; a building or planning permit can apply by size, height or setback	Up to two without a permit; more than two needs a council permit (Local Law No. 2)	Not mandatory, but desexed cats pay a lower fee; microchip required before you register	None announced
Shire of MitchellJust north of MelbourneFull guide	Night curfewOvernight cat curfew, sunset to sunriseOvernight curfew, sunset to sunrise, in place since 2019. Your cat must stay on your property at night.	A cat run needs no animal permit, and a small freestanding one usually needs no building permit either, but check size and boundary setbacks with the council.	Up to 2 cats on a residential block (under 0.4ha), 3 on rural land over 0.4ha and 4 on farming zoned land without a permit. More than that needs an extra animals permit.	Desexed cats pay a lower registration fee, concession card holders pay less again, and the council runs a discounted desexing scheme.	None announced
Shire of MoiraGoulburn Valley & MurrayFull guide	No curfewNo cat curfewNo shire-wide cat curfew, but wandering and nuisance rules still apply	No animal permit for a cat run; a building permit can apply by size or height - check with the council	Up to two cats without a permit; more needs an excess animal permit	Microchip needed before registering; desexed cats and concession holders pay a lower fee	None announced
City of MonashSouth-East MelbourneFull guide	Night curfewNight-time cat curfewNight-time curfew: cats must be confined to your property from sunset or 7pm (whichever is later) until sunrise.	No animal permit for the run itself; a small enclosure under about 10 sqm and 3m high usually needs no building permit. Check with the council.	Up to two cats without a permit; keeping more needs an excess animal permit.	Cats must be desexed to be registered for the first time (since 1 January 2015), unless exempt under the Act, such as on vet advice or for registered breeders. Microchip needed before registration.	None announced
City of Moonee ValleyInner North-West MelbourneFull guide	No curfewCat curfew encouraged, not mandatoryCouncil supports a cat curfew: keep cats inside your property from sunset to sunrise, with full-time confinement encouraged. It's guidance, not a strict 24/7 law.	No animal permit for the cat run itself. A building permit can apply for larger or taller structures, so check with the council before you build.	One cat on properties under 150 square metres, two on 150 square metres and over. More needs an Additional Animal Permit.	Not mandatory, but desexed cats pay a much lower registration fee.	None announced
Shire of MooraboolBetween Melbourne & BallaratFull guide	Night curfewNight curfew, 6pm to 7amNight-time curfew since 1 July 2021. Cats must stay on your property from 6pm to 7am, or 8:30pm to 7am during daylight saving.	A cat run usually needs no animal permit. A building permit can be triggered by size, height or setback, and overlays can change things. Check with the council.	Set by Council's Community Local Law and based on your land size. Extra animals need a permit, so check with the council.	A microchip is required before you can register. Desexed cats pay a lower fee, and desexing helps curb roaming.	2026 Council study of the current cat curfew
Shire of Mornington PeninsulaMornington PeninsulaFull guide	24/724-hour cat curfew24-hour curfew. Cats must stay on your property at all times, day and night.	No animal permit for a cat run. A building or planning permit can apply on larger or overlay-affected blocks.	Up to two cats without a permit on any size block under the Community Amenity Local Law 2022. More needs an Excess Animal Permit.	Registered cats must be desexed (limited exemptions). Microchip needed before registration.	None announced
Shire of Mount AlexanderCentral Victoria goldfieldsFull guide	24/724-hour cat curfew24-hour cat curfew adopted in April 2026, replacing the old sunset to sunrise curfew: cats must stay on your property at all times. Education period runs to October 2026, with fines possible from November 2026	No animal permit needed for a cat run; a small, low enclosure is usually building-permit exempt, but heritage overlays can apply	Up to two cats on blocks under 5 acres and in flats or units, three on 5 to 20 acres and five on 20 acres or more. More needs an excess animal permit	Microchip needed before you can register; desexed cats and concession holders pay a lower fee	November 2026 Fines can be issued for wandering cats
Shire of MoyneSouth-West coastFull guide	No curfewNo cat curfewNo cat curfew in Moyne, but a wandering cat that becomes a nuisance can be trapped and impounded.	No animal permit for a cat run. A building or planning permit can apply by size, height or in heritage areas, so check with the council.	Up to 3 cats on a lot of 2000 sqm or less, or 4 on a larger lot, before you need a permit.	Not compulsory, but desexed cats and cats over 10 pay a much lower registration fee.	None announced
Shire of MurrindindiNorth-East of MelbourneFull guide	No curfewNo set cat curfewNo shire-wide curfew in force. The council's new Domestic Animal Management Plan leans toward keeping cats on the property, and under state law cats can't trespass on other land. Check with the council.	A cat run itself needs no animal permit. A building permit can apply once a structure is larger or taller, so check with the council first.	Up to two cats on a residential property or five on a rural property without a permit. More needs an Additional Animal Permit.	Not compulsory shire-wide yet, but the council is heading that way and desexed cats pay a lower fee. Bring a desexing certificate or a vet letter.	2026 Cat confinement laws to be drafted for Council
Shire of NillumbikNorth-East MelbourneFull guide	24/724/7 cat containment order24/7 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.	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.	Up to two cats (3 months or older) without a permit. More than two needs a council permit.	All cats must be desexed and microchipped before council will register them. Exemptions are limited, mainly registered breeders.	October 2027 Two-year education transition period ends
Shire of Northern GrampiansGrampians / WimmeraFull guide	No curfewNo shire-wide cat curfewNo general shire-wide curfew, but Halls Gap is a total cat-free zone. A cat run keeps yours safely on your property.	No animal permit for a cat run. A building or planning permit can apply by size, height or overlay, so check with the council.	Up to two on blocks under 2 hectares, up to four on larger blocks, more needs an excess animal permit. No cats in Halls Gap.	Not compulsory, but desexed cats and concession holders pay a lower fee. Check with the council.	None announced
City of Port PhillipInner bayside MelbourneFull guide	Night curfewNight curfew, sunset to sunriseNight curfew from sunset to sunrise, every day of the year. Cats must stay on your property, indoors or in a suitable cat enclosure.	No animal permit for the run itself. A building or planning permit can apply depending on size, height, boundary setback or a heritage overlay, so check with the council.	Up to two cats at a house, flat or unit. Keeping more needs a multiple (excess) animal permit.	A microchip is needed before registration, and all newly registered cats must be desexed. Desexed cats pay a lower fee.	None announced
Shire of PyreneesCentral-West VictoriaFull guide	Night curfewCats confined at night in townshipsConfine your cat at night within the township zones; check the council for local details	No animal permit for a cat run; a building or planning permit can apply by size, height or overlay, so check with the council	Limits apply under the General Local Law 2019, based on land size and zone; check with the council	Compulsory unless you're a registered breeder or exempt; microchipping also required before registration	None announced
Borough of QueenscliffeBellarine PeninsulaFull guide	Night curfewNight curfew, 8pm to 6am dailyYes. A night-time cat curfew applies, so cats must be confined to your property from 8pm, or 9pm during daylight saving, to 6am every day. A secure enclosure makes it easy to comply.	A cat run itself needs no animal permit. A building permit can be triggered by the size or height of a structure, so check with the council's building team first.	Up to two cats in a residential area without a permit. To keep more than that, you need to apply to the council for a permit.	The council will not register a cat unless it is desexed first. Any cat being registered for the first time must also be microchipped, and desexed cats pay a lower fee.	None announced
Shire of South GippslandSouth GippslandFull guide	Changing24-hour cat containment planned by 2029The council's Domestic Animal Management Plan 2026-2029 commits to introducing a 24 hour cat containment order across the Shire. Its pages don't list a start date yet, so check with the council for where it's at.	A cat run itself needs no animal permit; a building or planning permit can apply for larger or taller structures, so check with the council.	Up to two cats without a permit; keeping more than two needs a council permit for extra animals.	Not currently compulsory, but desexed cats pay a lower registration fee and the council is looking at a mandatory desexing order.	None announced
Shire of Southern GrampiansSouth-West VictoriaFull guide	Night curfewCat curfew sunset to sunriseCat curfew from sunset to sunrise: your cat must be confined to your property overnight, inside or in an escape-proof structure. Council's 2026-2029 animal plan flags looking at a 24 hour curfew in 2028.	No animal permit for a cat run; a building permit can apply to larger or taller structures.	Up to two cats per residential household. More than two needs a permit from the council.	Microchip is required before you register; desexed cats pay a lower fee.	2028 Council plans to look at a 24 hour cat curfew
City of StonningtonInner South-East MelbourneFull guide	No curfewNo blanket cat curfewNo formal cat curfew, but the council's Keeping of Animals Policy expects animals to be kept confined to their property and not cause a nuisance.	A cat run needs no animal permit; a building or planning permit can apply to larger or taller structures, or in a heritage overlay, so check with the council.	Up to two cats without a permit; a council permit is needed to keep more.	Cats generally must be desexed before the council will register them, with limited exemptions; a microchip is also needed before you register.	None announced
Shire of StrathbogieCentral VictoriaFull guide	No curfewNo cat curfew currentlyNo council cat curfew. Your cat just can't trespass onto other properties, which is the state default. A curfew is only being investigated.	No animal permit for a cat run itself. A building or planning permit can apply depending on size, height and overlays, so check with the council.	Up to 2 cats on a standard block, up to 5 on land over 10,000 sqm. More needs an Excess Animal Permit.	Not compulsory here, but encouraged and it usually means a lower fee. Microchipping is required before you can register.	None announced
Shire of Surf CoastGreat Ocean Road / Surf CoastFull guide	24/724-hour cat curfew24-hour curfew shire-wide since 2023; cats must stay on your property at all times unless safely restrained	No animal permit for a cat run; a building or planning permit can apply by size or overlay, so check with the council	Up to 2 cats in residential areas and up to 5 on a rural property without a permit; apply to the council to keep more	Desexed cats pay a lower fee; a microchip is needed before you register	None announced
Rural City of Swan HillMallee / MurrayFull guide	24/724-hour cat containment24-hour containment order since 1 January 2025, enforced with fines since 1 July 2025. Cats must stay on your property unless on a lead or in a carrier.	A cat run needs no animal permit. A small enclosure usually needs no building permit, but confirm size, height and boundary rules with the council.	Up to 2 cats without a permit, in residential, rural living and farming zones alike. More needs an excess animal permit.	Not compulsory, but desexed cats pay a lower fee and concession holders get a discount. Check the council for current amounts.	None announced
Shire of TowongUpper Murray / North-EastFull guide	Night curfewCat curfew 9pm to 6amOvernight curfew from 9pm to 6am, every day. Cats must be kept on your property during those hours.	No animal permit for the cat run itself. A building or planning permit can apply depending on size, height, setbacks or a bushfire overlay, so check with the council.	Up to two cats on properties under 10 hectares. More needs a council permit.	Not compulsory, but strongly encouraged, and desexed cats usually pay less. A local law also bans selling or giving away an undesexed cat under 10 years old.	None announced
Rural City of WangarattaNorth-East VictoriaFull guide	No curfewNo cat curfew in force yetNo dedicated cat curfew yet, though the council is developing a containment policy. The local law still says pets must not wander off your property.	No animal permit for the cat run itself, but a building permit can be triggered by size or height, so check with the council.	Up to two cats without a permit. You need a permit to keep more than two.	Not compulsory locally yet, but a desexed cat is cheaper to register and the council is looking at mandatory desexing.	June 2027 Target to finalise containment and desexing policies
City of WarrnamboolSouth-West coastFull guide	Night curfewSunset-to-sunrise cat curfewNight curfew, sunset to sunrise, confined to the owner's property	No animal permit for the run; a building permit may apply by size or height	Up to two; more than two needs a council permit	Not compulsory but encouraged; desexed cats pay a reduced fee	None announced
Shire of WellingtonGippslandFull guide	24/724-hour cat curfew24-hour curfew: cats must stay on your property at all times	No animal permit for the run itself; a building permit can apply if it's large or tall	Usually 2 in town zones, up to 4 on rural or farming land; more needs a permit	Microchip required before registering; desexed cats and concession holders pay less	None announced
Shire of West WimmeraFar-West WimmeraFull guide	No curfewNo cat curfewNo council cat curfew in West Wimmera. Cats don't have to be confined, but wandering cats can be trapped, so keeping yours on your own property is the safe bet. The draft 2026-2029 animal management plan lists considering a containment order in 2026-27.	A cat run itself needs no animal permit. A building permit can apply depending on size and height, so check with the council's building services before you build.	In the townships, two cats on blocks up to 0.4 hectare and four cats on larger blocks. A local law permit is needed to keep more.	Microchipping is required before you register. Desexing isn't listed as compulsory, but desexed cats and pensioners pay a lower fee; check current amounts with the council.	None announced
City of WhitehorseEastern MelbourneFull guide	Night curfew8pm to 6am cat curfewNight curfew: cats must be confined indoors or in a suitable enclosure from 8pm to 6am (Order No 9). Also banned from Council bushland reserves at all times. Council plans to consult on a 24/7 curfew in 2027.	No animal permit needed for a cat enclosure. A building permit can apply once roof area is over 10 sqm or the structure is tall and close to a boundary.	Up to 2 cats without a permit. A third is allowed if Council records show it is 10 years or older; more than that needs a permit.	Cats registered with Council for the first time must be desexed unless exempt (Order No 8), and all cats must be microchipped. Desexed cats also pay a much lower rego fee; fees are set each year, so check the current amount.	2027 Community consultation on a 24/7 cat curfew
City of WhittleseaOuter-North MelbourneFull guide	24/724-hour cat containment since 202324-hour cat confinement since 1 August 2023. Cats must be kept on your property at all times, day and night.	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.	Up to two cats without a permit. Three or more needs an excess animals permit.	Mandatory. All cats must be desexed before registration unless an exemption applies.	None announced
City of WodongaNorth-East Victoria / Murray borderFull guide	Night curfewNight curfew, 7pm to 7amNight curfew. Cats must stay on your property between 7pm and 7am, seven days a week.	No animal permit for a cat run. A building permit can apply to a larger or taller structure. Check with the council.	Up to two cats over three months old on any property (Rural 1 land excepted). More than that needs a permit, and you'll need to ask your adjoining neighbours.	Not compulsory, but desexed cats and pensioners pay a lower fee (fees change yearly). Microchip needed before registering.	None announced
City of WyndhamOuter-West MelbourneFull guide	24/724-hour cat containmentCats must stay on your property 24 hours a day from 1 January 2026, up from the old 10pm to 6am curfew. Warnings only during 2026, with fines for the extended hours from December 2026	A cat run itself needs no animal permit, but a building permit can be triggered by size, height or setback, so check with the council	Up to 3 on a standard residential block, 2 for a unit or townhouse and 4 on rural land; keeping more needs an excess animal permit	Cats must be desexed before you can register them, with limited exemptions, and microchipping is required too	December 2026 Fines start for 24-hour containment breaches
City of YarraInner MelbourneFull guide	Night curfewNight curfew 7pm to 7amNight-time curfew, 7pm to 7am, every day	No animal permit for a cat run; a building permit can apply by size and height	Up to two per house, one per flat or unit, without a permit	Required before a cat can be registered or renewed	None announced
Shire of Yarra RangesOuter-East MelbourneFull guide	24/724/7 cat curfew24/7 cat curfew. Cats must stay within your property boundary at all times, kept indoors, in a secure yard, or in a cat enclosure.	No animal permit needed for a backyard cat run. A building or planning permit can be triggered by size, height, boundary setbacks, or the bushfire/environmental overlays common across the Ranges. Check with the council.	An excess animal permit may be needed above a certain number. Council doesn't publish one fixed figure; it depends on your land size and location, so check with the council.	Cats registered for the first time must be desexed (rule in place since 10 April 2010), unless kept for breeding by a registered domestic animal business, registered with an approved cat organisation, or a vet advises against it. Desexed cats pay a lower fee.	None announced
Shire of YarriambiackWimmera-MalleeFull guide	No curfewNo cat curfew, containment encouragedNo round-the-clock curfew, but the council asks you to confine your cat at night and keep it on your property at all times with good fencing or an enclosure.	A cat run needs no animal permit. A building permit can apply once a structure gets larger or taller, so check with the council.	Up to 3 cats in township areas and up to 5 in rural areas without a permit. More than that needs a council permit.	Desexing isn't compulsory, but desexed cats pay a much lower registration fee. A microchip is required before you can register.	None announced