Night curfew rules across the City of Maribyrnong.

Yes. Since 1 July 2026 the City of Maribyrnong has run a night-time cat curfew, so cats must be confined to your property between 7pm and 7am every day, whether that's indoors or in a secure enclosure. During those hours your cat can't be left to roam the streets. The council has said it will focus on education in the curfew's first year and review the rule down the track, including revisiting a 24/7 curfew. A fully enclosed cat run in your own yard is one of the easiest ways to meet the rule, because it keeps your cat safely on your property overnight while still giving it fresh air and outdoor time.

Yes. Under the Domestic Animals Act 1994 and the council's local rules, every cat over three months old must be registered with the council. Registration runs on a yearly cycle and is due for renewal by 10 April each year. You can register through the council's Pet Registrations page or by contacting them directly.

Your cat has to be microchipped before you can register it with the council. Desexed cats pay a lower registration fee and the council actively encourages desexing, with subsidised help available for eligible residents. The council's Domestic Animal Management Plan 2026-29 includes bringing in mandatory desexing, so it's worth checking the current rule with the council before you register.

The council's local law lets you keep up to three cats on a standard property before a permit is needed. If you live in a flat, the limit is two. To keep more than that you'll need to apply to the council for a multiple pet permit, which involves a property inspection and a check with your neighbours.

A cat enclosure on its own doesn't need an animal permit. Whether a building permit is needed comes down to size and siting: as a general guide in Victoria, a freestanding enclosure under 10 square metres in floor area and under 3 metres high usually doesn't need one. If yours is bigger, taller, attached to the house or sits close to a boundary, check with the council's building team first.

Yes, the usual Victorian building rules apply. A freestanding enclosure generally needs to stay under 3 metres high to avoid triggering a building permit, and if it's within a metre of a boundary it should be kept under about 2.4 metres. Setbacks and any planning overlays on your property can also come into play, so it's worth a quick check with the council before you start.

If your cat is found roaming during curfew hours, the council says its first step is to educate and support you, with info and practical tips on keeping your cat contained. If the problem keeps up, neighbours can borrow a council cat trap, and fines or impoundment are on the table for ongoing non-compliance. A registered, microchipped cat is far easier for the council to reunite with you quickly. Keeping your cat contained at home, either in the house or in a secure enclosure, is the simplest way to avoid the whole situation.

You can, but you'll usually need your landlord's or owners corporation's permission first, since you're altering the property. Freestanding or window-style enclosures that don't need fixing to the building are often the easiest option for renters and apartments. If you're in a flat, remember the council's two-cat limit before a permit is required, and check your lease or body corporate rules.

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 Maribyrnong. 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 Maribyrnong 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.