Curfew rules for cats in the City of Maroondah.

Yes. Under Maroondah's Local Law 2023 there is a night curfew, so your cat has to be confined to your property from sunset to sunrise each day. The council also recommends keeping cats safe at home around the clock. A fully enclosed cat run is one of the easiest ways to meet the curfew, since it keeps your cat on the property day and night without shutting it indoors.

Yes. Cats must be registered with Council once they reach 3 months of age, and registration is renewed every year, with renewals due by 10 April. You can register or renew online. First-time registration is charged pro rata, so the cost depends on how close you are to the April renewal date.

Microchipping is required before a cat can be registered in Maroondah. Desexing isn't compulsory, but desexed cats pay a much lower registration fee (roughly $59 a year versus $174 for an entire cat in 2026/27), and concession holders pay about half again. It is worth checking the current fee with Council, as fees are set each financial year.

You can keep up to 2 cats over 3 months of age on a property without a permit. If you want more than that and your land is 0.5ha or less, you need to apply for a Keeping Additional Animals permit, which is renewed each year. The same local law also covers how animals are housed and kept securely contained.

You don't need any animal permit to build an outdoor cat space. A building permit usually isn't required for a small freestanding structure that is 10m² or less in area and no more than 3m high, which covers most backyard cat runs. If yours is bigger, taller, close to a boundary, or your place has heritage or planning overlay controls, check with Maroondah Building Services first.

The council follows the standard Victorian rules for small structures. As a guide, a freestanding structure stays building-permit-free if it is 10m² or less and 3m or under in height, or no more than 2.4m high if it sits within 1m of a boundary and behind the front wall of the house. Go over those and a permit can be triggered, so it pays to confirm your design with Council before you start.

A council ranger can pick up a wandering cat, and it may be taken to Animal Aid in Coldstream to be cared for until you claim it. You will be charged a release fee to collect it, and separate council fines can also apply. Keeping your cat contained, especially overnight during the curfew, is the simplest way to avoid the stress and the bill.

You still have to meet the curfew wherever you live, so a contained outdoor space is a great fit for renters and apartments. If you rent, get your landlord's or owners corporation's okay first, and a freestanding or lean-to enclosure that stays within the small-structure size limits usually avoids permits. We can build a cat run that suits a courtyard, balcony or shared yard and can be taken with you if you move.

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 Maroondah. 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 Maroondah 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.