Keeping Other Animals and Birds

At present, the rules applying to the keeping of animals other than cats and dogs varies according to which part of the Sunshine Coast you live in. If you are unsure which area you live in, use council's local office finder.

Animals

Caloundra area

Generally speaking, animals kept in the Caloundra area must be enclosed to prevent the animal from escaping and conditions within the enclosure must ensure the comfort of the animal and the prevention of disease and injury.

Fences must be at least 1.2 metres in height and be suitably constructed so as to prevent the animals from escaping.

See the Caloundra Local Law 4.1 for specific requirements about enclosures for animals such as cattle, sheep, deer, donkeys, horses, goats and pigs. Bulls and stallions also have their own specific fencing requirements.

Maroochy area

Generally, animals other than cats and dogs may not be kept on any land in the Maroochy area that is:

less than one hectare in area
within three metres of any dwelling located on the same land or within 12 metres of any dwelling on adjacent land
within 15 metres of any premises where food for sale for human consumption is stored or sold

unless a permit has been issued by council.

'Animals' include cattle, horses, camels, sheep, goats, deer and llamas.

Within urban areas, the following requirements apply:

A permit is required to keep more than two animals on any urban property.
A proper enclosure to contain all animals must be provided.
Bulls or stallions are not permitted.
All manure or offensive matter is to be cleaned up daily and placed in fly and vermin proof containers. The contents of these containers are to be emptied and appropriately disposed of at least three times a week.
Pigs may not be kept in the Maroochy area without a permit in any zone, and permits are difficult to obtain. Requirements include having the animal effectively contained and at least 60 metres for any dwelling or road and at least 30 metres from any boundary.

Noosa area

Most pets can be kept on residential land providing they do not cause a nuisance with noise, smell or straying. In rural residential areas, the keeping of horses, cows, etc is restricted to one animal per hectare, however no farming or commercial activity is permitted.

Poultry and birds

Caloundra area

Up to 20 poultry or birds can be kept on a property if they are adequately enclosed to prevent escape and the enclosure is not within:

2 metres of a side or rear boundary
10 metres of a residence or an adjoining premises
10 metres of a road.

The enclosure must have a minimum floor area of one square metre per bird and be constructed so it can be hygienically cleaned.

Roosters can only be kept on properties of less than five hectares if the distance from the boundary to the nearest adjoining residence is more than 100 metres.

Maroochy area

Poultry in the Maroochy area must be kept:

in a fowl house or similar structure
no less than 12 metres from residential premises on adjacent land
one metre from any side or rear boundary of the land
20 metres from any front boundary of the land.

On any land other than rural land, a licence is required to keep:

more than 10 poultry
a rooster
guinea fowl, geese or peacocks.

If you are keeping or breeding aviary birds, the aviary, cage or enclosure must be no less than:

10 metres from any residential premises on adjacent land
one metre from any boundary of the land.

If you are keeping pigeons, the loft or other housing structures must be situated 20 metres from any residential premises on adjacent land. You must obtain a licence to keep pigeons on any land other than rural land.

Noosa area

Poultry in the Noosa area must comply with the following restrictions:

the coup must be kept clean from waste
the coup must be whitewashed every six months
no less than nine metres from a dwelling
no more than six poultry
no rooster may be kept.

A permit is required to keep more that the above.

Up to 20 aviary birds or pigeons may be kept on a property in the Noosa area.