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 31
31. Standards and Requirements to operate a commercial kennel or cattery that offers temporary overnight accommodation for dogs and cats away from their primary residence.
(1) Applications for a permit to operate a kennel or cattery will only be considered on properties of 4000m² in extent or greater that have the requisite land use approval.
(2) An application for a permit must be accompanied by an approved building plan indicating all existing or proposed structures on the property, including buildings or structures to be used to house animals. (3) The City may refuse to approve an application or grant approval subject to specific conditions if, in its opinion, the property, owing to its location, siting or geographical features or size, is unsuitable for operating a kennel or cattery.
(4) Enclosures for dogs and cats must be designed so as to ensure that every dog or cat can be kept separate from each other, and are easy to clean and access.
(5) The floors must be constructed of concrete or other impervious material brought to a smooth finish and graded to a channel at least 100 mm wide, extending the full width of the floor, which channel must be graded and drained into a gully connected to the municipal sewer by means of a pipe at least 100 mm in diameter;
(6) A curb at least 150 mm high should be provided along the edge of the channel, to prevent any storm water runoff from entering the channel.
(7) The individual enclosures per animal should be adequate in size to allow free, unobstructed movement of the animal kept therein.
(8) Every enclosure must have an adequate roofed shelter that complies with the following requirements:
(a) Every wall must be constructed of brick, stone, concrete or other impervious material;
(b) Every wall must be of a smooth internal surface;
(c) The floor must be of concrete or other impervious material brought to a smooth finish without cracks or open joints, and the surface between the floors and the walls of a permanent structure shall be coved; and
(d) Every shelter must have adequate access for cleaning and eliminating pests.
(9) Individual dog kennels that comply with the following requirements may be utilised, instead of the shelter contemplated above, if the following requirements are met:
(a) the kennel must be constructed of an approved weatherproof and insulating material or other similar material and must be movable;
(b) the kennel must be placed on a base constructed of concrete or other impervious material with an easily cleanable finish; and (c) a sleeping board, which will enable the dog to keep dry, must be provided in any kennel that does not have a waterproof base.
(10) A concrete apron extending at least one-metre-wide around the edges of the enclosure must be provided.
(11) The apron must be graded and drained in a way that drains storm water away from the enclosure.
(12) A water supply, adequate for drinking and cleaning purposes, must be provided in or adjacent to the enclosure complex.
(13) A shelter, enclosure or kennel complex may not be situated within 5m of any dwelling or other building or structure used for human habitation, a place where food is stored and prepared for human consumption or the boundary of the premises.
(14) If deemed necessary by the City, a separate room or roofed area may be provided for the preparation of food for the animals.
(15) The floor of the food preparation area referred to in paragraph (i) shall be constructed of concrete or other impervious material brought to a smooth finish. The internal wall surfaces of the room or roofed area should be smooth and easily cleanable.
(16) Adequate washing facilities for food bowls and utensils must be provided.
(17) A rodent-proof storeroom must be provided for the storage of animal food.
(18) All dog and cat manure must be removed on a daily basis and placed in a manure storage receptacle. Such manure must be suitably disposed of at least once every 7 days without creating a nuisance.
(1) Applications for a permit to operate a kennel or cattery will only be considered on properties of 4000m² in extent or greater that have the requisite land use approval.
(2) An application for a permit must be accompanied by an approved building plan indicating all existing or proposed structures on the property, including buildings or structures to be used to house animals. (3) The City may refuse to approve an application or grant approval subject to specific conditions if, in its opinion, the property, owing to its location, siting or geographical features or size, is unsuitable for operating a kennel or cattery.
(4) Enclosures for dogs and cats must be designed so as to ensure that every dog or cat can be kept separate from each other, and are easy to clean and access.
(5) The floors must be constructed of concrete or other impervious material brought to a smooth finish and graded to a channel at least 100 mm wide, extending the full width of the floor, which channel must be graded and drained into a gully connected to the municipal sewer by means of a pipe at least 100 mm in diameter;
(6) A curb at least 150 mm high should be provided along the edge of the channel, to prevent any storm water runoff from entering the channel.
(7) The individual enclosures per animal should be adequate in size to allow free, unobstructed movement of the animal kept therein.
(8) Every enclosure must have an adequate roofed shelter that complies with the following requirements:
(a) Every wall must be constructed of brick, stone, concrete or other impervious material;
(b) Every wall must be of a smooth internal surface;
(c) The floor must be of concrete or other impervious material brought to a smooth finish without cracks or open joints, and the surface between the floors and the walls of a permanent structure shall be coved; and
(d) Every shelter must have adequate access for cleaning and eliminating pests.
(9) Individual dog kennels that comply with the following requirements may be utilised, instead of the shelter contemplated above, if the following requirements are met:
(a) the kennel must be constructed of an approved weatherproof and insulating material or other similar material and must be movable;
(b) the kennel must be placed on a base constructed of concrete or other impervious material with an easily cleanable finish; and (c) a sleeping board, which will enable the dog to keep dry, must be provided in any kennel that does not have a waterproof base.
(10) A concrete apron extending at least one-metre-wide around the edges of the enclosure must be provided.
(11) The apron must be graded and drained in a way that drains storm water away from the enclosure.
(12) A water supply, adequate for drinking and cleaning purposes, must be provided in or adjacent to the enclosure complex.
(13) A shelter, enclosure or kennel complex may not be situated within 5m of any dwelling or other building or structure used for human habitation, a place where food is stored and prepared for human consumption or the boundary of the premises.
(14) If deemed necessary by the City, a separate room or roofed area may be provided for the preparation of food for the animals.
(15) The floor of the food preparation area referred to in paragraph (i) shall be constructed of concrete or other impervious material brought to a smooth finish. The internal wall surfaces of the room or roofed area should be smooth and easily cleanable.
(16) Adequate washing facilities for food bowls and utensils must be provided.
(17) A rodent-proof storeroom must be provided for the storage of animal food.
(18) All dog and cat manure must be removed on a daily basis and placed in a manure storage receptacle. Such manure must be suitably disposed of at least once every 7 days without creating a nuisance.
See next section
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