PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
City of Cape Town Draft Animal Keeping By-law
Sun, 27 September 2026
This page is part of a more easily readable version of the controversial Draft Animal Keeping By-law published for public comment until 29 September 2026. There are links below to the other 44 sections.
Comments and submissions should be emailed to animal.bylaw@capetown.gov.za
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SECTION 27
27. Requirements for keeping of animals on premises
(1) Premises used in connection with the keeping of animals and poultry must be operated under a permit issued in terms of this By-Law, except premises used for the keeping of animals and poultry on property zoned for agricultural farming or agricultural purposes in terms of the City’s Municipal Planning By-law, 2015, where the primary use of the land is for farming with animals and poultry.
(2) No person may keep, breed or operate the following animals on any residential premises without applying to the City for a permit –
(a) cattle, horses, mules, donkeys or any animal of similar or bigger size;
(b) goats or sheep or any animal of similar or smaller size;
(c) any poultry, excluding 5 chicken hens;
(d) more than 5 birds kept in captivity;
(e) any rabbits; and
(f) exotic animals.
(3) No person shall keep any varieties of rock dove or feral pigeons of the species Columba livia on any residential premises, unless under a valid permit issued in terms of this By-Law and proof of Pigeon Racing Club or Show Pigeon Club Membership.
(4) Applications to keep any varieties of rock dove or feral pigeons of the species Columba livia on any residential premises must be in writing in the prescribed format and may be considered and resolved by the City after consideration of substantiated comments received from abutting and affected neighbours and proof of Club Membership.
(5) No person may keep any pigs on any residential premises in the City.
(6) No person may keep any roosters on any residential premises in the City.
(1) Premises used in connection with the keeping of animals and poultry must be operated under a permit issued in terms of this By-Law, except premises used for the keeping of animals and poultry on property zoned for agricultural farming or agricultural purposes in terms of the City’s Municipal Planning By-law, 2015, where the primary use of the land is for farming with animals and poultry.
(2) No person may keep, breed or operate the following animals on any residential premises without applying to the City for a permit –
(a) cattle, horses, mules, donkeys or any animal of similar or bigger size;
(b) goats or sheep or any animal of similar or smaller size;
(c) any poultry, excluding 5 chicken hens;
(d) more than 5 birds kept in captivity;
(e) any rabbits; and
(f) exotic animals.
(3) No person shall keep any varieties of rock dove or feral pigeons of the species Columba livia on any residential premises, unless under a valid permit issued in terms of this By-Law and proof of Pigeon Racing Club or Show Pigeon Club Membership.
(4) Applications to keep any varieties of rock dove or feral pigeons of the species Columba livia on any residential premises must be in writing in the prescribed format and may be considered and resolved by the City after consideration of substantiated comments received from abutting and affected neighbours and proof of Club Membership.
(5) No person may keep any pigs on any residential premises in the City.
(6) No person may keep any roosters on any residential premises in the City.
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Comments and submissions should be emailed to animal.bylaw@capetown.gov.za
Other sections
CHAPTER 1 – General Provisions
CHAPTER 2 – Keeping of Animals
CHAPTER 3 – Bee Keeping
CHAPTER 4 – Enforcement