Keeping of Cats and Dogs

The Shire’s Local Planning Scheme No.3 (LPS3) provides restrictions for keeping cats and dogs in certain zones, depending on the number of animals to be kept.

These requirements are to be considered in conjunction with the Shire’s Dog, Cat and Kennel/Cattery Local Laws.

Pets

Where six (6) or less dogs or cats are proposed to be kept simply as family pets and where there is no commercial aspect to keeping them including breeding and boarding, then no development approval is required from the Shire’s Planning Team.

Dogs or cats kept as pets require registration. Information on this process can be found here: Animals » Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale (sjshire.wa.gov.au)

Small Scale Commercial

Where six (6) or less dogs or cats are to be kept for breeding or other commercial purposes, then this constitutes a "Home Business" according to the land use definitions of LPS3.

Development approval from the Shire’s Planning Team may be required in this case. Information on Home Business applications can be found here: Home Business » Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale (sjshire.wa.gov.au)

Large Scale Keeping of Animals

In any instance where more than six (6) dogs or cats are proposed to be kept, regardless if they are intended to be breeding animals, this will constitute an "Animal Establishment" according to the land use definitions of LPS3.

The Animal Establishment land use is only able to be considered for approval in properties zoned Rural or Rural Smallholding. Development approval from the Shire’s Planning Team is required.

Key considerations in such applications include:

• Scale and degree of the proposal;
• Amenity of the locality;
• Noise management;
• Waste management;
• Scale, location and form of any additional structures; and
• Consideration of the area where animals are to be kept.