Curfew rules for cats in the Shire of Hepburn.

Yes. Since 1 July 2023 Hepburn Shire has had a cat curfew that applies right across the shire, and your cat has to be securely confined to your property between sunset and sunrise. That means no roaming the neighbourhood overnight. A fully enclosed cat run is one of the easiest ways to give your cat safe outdoor time while keeping it on your land and inside the rules. It's worth checking the council's cat curfew page for the current detail.

Yes. Cats over three months old have to be registered with the council, and registration is renewed every year by 10 April. Your cat needs to be microchipped before it can be registered. Fees are set each year, so check the council's pet registrations page for the current amount.

Microchipping is required before you can register your cat with the council. Desexing isn't spelled out as compulsory across the whole shire, but desexed cats pay the lower registration fee, and concession or pension holders may get a further discount. Desexing also helps with the roaming and breeding the curfew is trying to cut down on, so check with the council if you're unsure what applies to you.

The number of cats you can keep without a permit is set by the council's General Local Law No. 2, and it can depend on the size of your block. If you want to keep more than the standard number, you'll need an excess animal permit from the council. The best move is to confirm the current limit with the council before you go over it.

A cat run on its own doesn't need an animal permit. What can come into play is a building or planning permit, and that depends on the size, height and where you put the structure. As a rough guide in Victoria a small, freestanding outbuilding under about 10 square metres and no more than 3 metres high often doesn't need a building permit, but that's not a guarantee, so check with the council's building and planning team before you start.

There can be. Height, floor area and how close the structure sits to a boundary all feed into whether you need a building permit, and an overlay on your property (things like bushfire, heritage or environmental overlays, which are common around Daylesford and the wider shire) can add planning requirements. A good enclosure builder will keep the structure within the exempt range where possible. If you're close to a boundary or on a sensitive block, check with the council first.

If your cat is off your property during the curfew, or is picked up wandering, it can be impounded and you may face a fine. You'd usually pay a release fee to get it back, and repeat issues can cost more. Keeping your cat contained, whether indoors or in a secure enclosure, is the simplest way to avoid all of that. Contact the council straight away if your cat has gone missing.

You can, but you'll want your landlord or owners corporation on board first, since it's their property or shared space. Freestanding and window-box style enclosures are popular with renters because they can be built to be removable and leave no lasting damage. The council rules on registration and the curfew apply the same whether you own or rent, so a secure run is a smart way to stay compliant. Have a chat with us about a setup that suits your place.

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 Shire of Hepburn. 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 Shire of Hepburn 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.