Cat rules and catios in the Shire of Mansfield.

Mansfield doesn't have a set cat curfew that we could find on the council's pages. Instead the council encourages owners to keep their cat contained to their own property and even suggests a cat enclosure to do it, and under the Domestic Animals Act 1994 your cat isn't allowed to trespass on other people's land. A fully enclosed cat run is the simplest way to meet that, since it keeps your cat safely on your property around the clock. The council's new Domestic Animal Management Plan 2026-2029 doesn't add a curfew either, but it's worth checking the council's page for the latest.

Yes. Cats over three months old must be registered with the council, and registration is renewed every year by 10 April. If it's your first time registering, the council asks you to come in person and bring proof of microchipping plus any supporting paperwork. See the council's Register an Animal page for how to apply.

Your cat needs to be microchipped before it can be registered. Desexing isn't listed as compulsory for every cat, but desexed cats pay a reduced registration fee, so you'll need a desexing certificate or a vet letter confirming a desexing appointment within six months of first registering to get that rate. Fees are set by the council each year, so check the current amounts with them.

Under the council's Community Local Law 2026-2035 you can keep up to 2 cats without a permit on land up to 4000 square metres, or up to 4 cats if your land is over 4000 square metres or in a Rural Zone. If you want more than that, you'll need to apply for a council permit, which the council assesses on its merits. It's worth a quick call to the local laws team to confirm what applies to your property. A cat enclosure can make keeping multiple cats a lot easier to manage either way.

Keeping a cat run on your own land doesn't need an animal permit. What can come into play is a building permit, which is triggered by the size and height of the structure rather than the fact it's for a cat. As a general guide in Victoria a small, low structure is often exempt, but that depends on your block, so it's worth a quick call to the council's building surveyor before you start. We build to sit within those limits wherever we can.

Yes, the usual building rules around height and setbacks from boundaries can apply, and an overlay on your land (for bushfire, environment or heritage, which are common around Mansfield and the high country) may add extra conditions. The exact figures depend on your property, so we recommend confirming them with the council. We design each enclosure to fit comfortably within your setbacks and height limits.

Cats aren't allowed to trespass on other people's property, and the council hires out humane cat traps to residents dealing with nuisance or roaming cats. A wandering cat can be picked up and impounded. The council waives impound fees the first time your pet is impounded, but release fees apply after that, and you may also cop a fine if your cat is at large or unregistered. Keeping your cat registered and microchipped makes it far quicker to reunite you, and a secure enclosure avoids the problem in the first place.

Yes. If you rent, you'll want your landlord's okay first, and we can build freestanding or removable enclosures that don't permanently alter the property. If you're in an apartment or unit, a window or balcony enclosure can work well, though you should check with your body corporate or owners corporation before building. We can tailor a design to suit your situation.

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 Mansfield. 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 Mansfield 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.