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
See next section
SECTION 32
32. Standards and requirements for keeping of large and small livestock
(1) The owner, person in charge or occupier of any premises must keep any livestock in an enclosure and a shelter designed for that purpose.
(2) Applications for a permit to keep any large livestock will only be considered on properties of 4000m² in extent or greater where a maximum of 2 large animals may be kept. Thereafter, for every additional 2000m², one large animal may be added.
(3) An application for a permit to keep livestock must be accompanied by an approved building plan indicating all existing or proposed structures and fences on the property. (4) Detailed building plans and specifications of structures wherein it is proposed to keep animals must be submitted for approval. If the structure requires approval in terms of the National Building Regulations and Standards Act, 1977 (Act 103 of 1977) the plan must be submitted to Urban Planning for approval.
(5) The City may refuse to approve an application or grant approval for a permit to keep livestock subject to specific conditions if, in its opinion, the property, owing to its location, siting or geographical features or size, is unsuitable for the keeping of animals.
(6) Any shelter to keep animals must be located at least ―
(a) 15 meters away from the boundary of any land or property, a dwelling or other structure used for people to live in;
(b) 50 meters away from any water source or water supply meant for human use, and
(c) more than 6 meters from the edge of the erf if that boundary touches a road or public place.
(7) Livestock must have access to shelter of at least 10m² to accommodate up to a maximum of five animals.
(8) The fencing of all enclosures must be strong enough to prevent the animals from breaking out.
(9) The walls and partitions of any shelters must be constructed of brick, stone, concrete or other durable material, and brought to a smooth finish.
(10) The height of the walls to the wall plates of shelters must be sufficient to allow free movement of both, the type of animal to be accommodated and, humans cleaning the shelters.
(11) The floors of the shelter must be constructed of concrete or other durable and impervious material brought to a smooth finish, provided with a 2m concrete apron graded to a channel and drained to an approved wastewater disposal system.
(12) Openings, windows or louvres must provide adequate lighting and ventilation.
(13) Livestock may not be kept in an enclosure of less than 25m² to accommodate up to a maximum of five animals.
(1) The owner, person in charge or occupier of any premises must keep any livestock in an enclosure and a shelter designed for that purpose.
(2) Applications for a permit to keep any large livestock will only be considered on properties of 4000m² in extent or greater where a maximum of 2 large animals may be kept. Thereafter, for every additional 2000m², one large animal may be added.
(3) An application for a permit to keep livestock must be accompanied by an approved building plan indicating all existing or proposed structures and fences on the property. (4) Detailed building plans and specifications of structures wherein it is proposed to keep animals must be submitted for approval. If the structure requires approval in terms of the National Building Regulations and Standards Act, 1977 (Act 103 of 1977) the plan must be submitted to Urban Planning for approval.
(5) The City may refuse to approve an application or grant approval for a permit to keep livestock subject to specific conditions if, in its opinion, the property, owing to its location, siting or geographical features or size, is unsuitable for the keeping of animals.
(6) Any shelter to keep animals must be located at least ―
(a) 15 meters away from the boundary of any land or property, a dwelling or other structure used for people to live in;
(b) 50 meters away from any water source or water supply meant for human use, and
(c) more than 6 meters from the edge of the erf if that boundary touches a road or public place.
(7) Livestock must have access to shelter of at least 10m² to accommodate up to a maximum of five animals.
(8) The fencing of all enclosures must be strong enough to prevent the animals from breaking out.
(9) The walls and partitions of any shelters must be constructed of brick, stone, concrete or other durable material, and brought to a smooth finish.
(10) The height of the walls to the wall plates of shelters must be sufficient to allow free movement of both, the type of animal to be accommodated and, humans cleaning the shelters.
(11) The floors of the shelter must be constructed of concrete or other durable and impervious material brought to a smooth finish, provided with a 2m concrete apron graded to a channel and drained to an approved wastewater disposal system.
(12) Openings, windows or louvres must provide adequate lighting and ventilation.
(13) Livestock may not be kept in an enclosure of less than 25m² to accommodate up to a maximum of five animals.
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