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 28
28. General hygiene requirements for keeping of animals and poultry
(1) The premises and any equipment, apparatus, container or receptacle used in connection with keeping of animals, shall be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition and in good repair.
(2) Portable storage receptacles of an impervious material and with close fitting lids must be provided for storage of manure and/or animal waste.
(3) Potable drinking water supply must be provided and situated next to or in every stable or any enclosure used to accommodate animals, including poultry and birds
(4) Manure storage containers shall be kept on a platform that enables the surface underneath the receptacle to be cleaned.
(5) Manure from an enclosure must be removed at least once every three (3) days and placed in the manure storage containers.
(6) If the amount of manure generated on the premises is of large quantities, it may be required that a manure storage area be provided for storage of manure prior to removal.
(7) The manure storage area, if needed, shall have a roofed platform constructed of concrete or other impervious material and the platform shall be graded and drained so as to prevent pooling of liquid waste.
(8) (8)The contents of the manure storage receptacles must be removed from the premises at least once every seven days and disposed of in a way that will not create a public health nuisance. The composting of animal manure on residential or commercial premises is not permitted.
(9) All feed must be stored in a rodent-proof storeroom and all loose feed in rodent- proof receptacles with close fitting lids in the storeroom.
(10) Adequate measures must be taken to keep the premises free of pests and to prevent offensive odours arising from the keeping of such animals, birds and poultry.
(11) All animal bedding must be removed from the stables/enclosures at least once a week and shall be stored in the manure receptacles in a manure storage area until it is removed from the premises and suitably disposed of.
(12) Amenities must be provided to effectively clean all structures housing animals, poultry and birds.
(13) Any animal that dies on any premises must be removed from the premises within 24 hours of its death, to prevent a health nuisance or nuisance from occurring.
(14) Where the premises are provided with an animal mortuary, carcasses must be kept in the cold storage facilities until they are removed from the premises.
(15) Disposal of dead animals shall be conducted in a manner which prevents a health nuisance and in compliance with relevant legislation.
(16) Subsections (14) and (15) do not apply to similar facilities provided for in terms of the Meat Safety Act No. 40 of 2000, registered veterinarian facilities or pounds.
(1) The premises and any equipment, apparatus, container or receptacle used in connection with keeping of animals, shall be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition and in good repair.
(2) Portable storage receptacles of an impervious material and with close fitting lids must be provided for storage of manure and/or animal waste.
(3) Potable drinking water supply must be provided and situated next to or in every stable or any enclosure used to accommodate animals, including poultry and birds
(4) Manure storage containers shall be kept on a platform that enables the surface underneath the receptacle to be cleaned.
(5) Manure from an enclosure must be removed at least once every three (3) days and placed in the manure storage containers.
(6) If the amount of manure generated on the premises is of large quantities, it may be required that a manure storage area be provided for storage of manure prior to removal.
(7) The manure storage area, if needed, shall have a roofed platform constructed of concrete or other impervious material and the platform shall be graded and drained so as to prevent pooling of liquid waste.
(8) (8)The contents of the manure storage receptacles must be removed from the premises at least once every seven days and disposed of in a way that will not create a public health nuisance. The composting of animal manure on residential or commercial premises is not permitted.
(9) All feed must be stored in a rodent-proof storeroom and all loose feed in rodent- proof receptacles with close fitting lids in the storeroom.
(10) Adequate measures must be taken to keep the premises free of pests and to prevent offensive odours arising from the keeping of such animals, birds and poultry.
(11) All animal bedding must be removed from the stables/enclosures at least once a week and shall be stored in the manure receptacles in a manure storage area until it is removed from the premises and suitably disposed of.
(12) Amenities must be provided to effectively clean all structures housing animals, poultry and birds.
(13) Any animal that dies on any premises must be removed from the premises within 24 hours of its death, to prevent a health nuisance or nuisance from occurring.
(14) Where the premises are provided with an animal mortuary, carcasses must be kept in the cold storage facilities until they are removed from the premises.
(15) Disposal of dead animals shall be conducted in a manner which prevents a health nuisance and in compliance with relevant legislation.
(16) Subsections (14) and (15) do not apply to similar facilities provided for in terms of the Meat Safety Act No. 40 of 2000, registered veterinarian facilities or pounds.
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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