Curfew rules for cats in the City of Bayside.

Yes. Bayside has an overnight cat curfew, so your cat has to be kept on your property from 6pm to 6am, and from 9pm to 6am during daylight saving. Council considered stepping up to 24-hour containment but decided not to proceed, so the overnight curfew is what applies now. A fully enclosed cat run makes this easy, because your cat can get outside time while staying on your land through the curfew hours.

Yes. You must register any cat that is 3 months of age or older with Bayside City Council. Registration is renewed each year, with renewals due by 10 April. You can register through the council's pet registration page or by contacting the council directly.

Yes to both. All cats must be microchipped before they are registered for the first time, and they must be desexed before registration as well. There are limited exceptions, such as a vet advising against desexing on health grounds, or cats owned by an applicable breeding body or registered domestic animal business. Desexed cats and concession holders pay a lower registration fee, and fees are set each year, so check the current amounts with the council.

You can keep up to two cats at a property without needing an excess animal permit. If you want more than that, you can apply to the council for an excess animal permit, which usually involves a property inspection by a council officer. It's worth confirming the current limit and process with the council before you take on extra cats.

You don't need an animal permit for the cat run itself. Bayside actually lists installing enclosures or cat fencing in your yard as an accepted way to keep your cat contained. A building permit is a separate question and can be triggered by the size and height of the structure, so it's best to check with the council or a registered building surveyor before you start.

Building permit rules generally hinge on how big and how tall a structure is, along with how close it sits to boundaries. As a rough guide across Victoria, small, low enclosures often sit under the threshold where a building permit is required, but that changes if your property has a heritage or environmental overlay. We design each cat enclosure to suit the site, and we'd always suggest confirming the specifics with the council.

A cat found roaming off your property, especially during curfew hours, can be picked up by the council and impounded, and you may face release fees or a fine. Making sure your cat is registered and microchipped means the council can identify you and get your cat home faster. A secure cat run is the simplest way to keep your cat on the property and out of trouble.

Yes, plenty of renters and apartment dwellers keep cats safely contained. If you rent, you'll want your landlord or agent to sign off, and in an apartment you may also need approval from the owners corporation. We can build freestanding or removable cat enclosures that suit a rental and can come with you when you move, which still helps you meet Bayside's overnight curfew.

A fully enclosed catio keeps your cat safely on your property, which is exactly what containment rules ask for, while still giving them fresh air and the sounds and smells of outside. We build a range of escape-proof enclosures, from a discreet patio catio to a side run or netting over the whole backyard, so there's an option to suit your home. Build a quote to get started.

Yes, we build custom catios right across greater Melbourne, including the City of Bayside. If you're not sure you're in range, get in touch and we'll let you know.

Always confirm the current rules with the council directly via the City of Bayside website (opens in a new tab). The guide above is research we've collated to help you get started, not legal advice, see the note at the foot of this page.