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 35
35. Standards and requirements for keeping rabbits
(1) The owner, person in charge or occupier of any premises must keep rabbits in a rabbit enclosure, designed for that purpose.
(2) An application for a permit must be accompanied by an approved building plan indicating all existing or proposed structures on the property.
(3) Detailed plans and specifications of structures wherein it is proposed to keep rabbits may be requested by City Health.
(4) 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 the keeping of rabbits.
(5) The rabbit enclosure must not be situated within ―
(a) 3m of the boundary of a residential erf;
(b) 3m from any dwelling or other structure used for human habitation;
(c) 50m of any water resource or water supply intended for human consumption; and
(d) 6m of any boundary of the erf which abuts any road or public place.
(6) The walls of a rabbit enclosure shall be constructed of brick, stone, concrete or other impervious material, with a smooth internal surface.
(7) The floors must be constructed of concrete or other impervious material and must have a smooth finish.
(8) If the rabbit enclosure is raised off the ground, the underside thereof must be constructed of an impervious and durable material, and it must be raised at least 300mm above ground level.
(9) The upper floor of a two or more story structure must be constructed of an impervious and easily cleanable material.
(10) The rabbit enclosure must be adequate in size to allow free, unobstructed movement of animals kept therein.
(11) A rabbit run, if provided, must be enclosed with wire mesh or other durable material and constructed in a way that prevents the escape of rabbits from the hutch. (12) If there are walls, the building or structure must be ventilated and lighted by means of natural openings or windows of an area not less than 15% of the floor area of the building or structure.
(13) A water supply adequate for drinking and cleaning must be provided in or next to every rabbit enclosure.
(14) If no walls are provided or walls are made of metal, the floor must have a curb at least 150 mm high around its outside edges, and every cage must be constructed of an impervious material and fitted with trays of an impervious material for the reception of manure.
(15) An adequate rodent-proof storeroom must be provided for the storage of feed.
(16) Adequate-washing facilities must be provided for the cleaning of enclosures.
(17) It is an offence for any person to discard, place or abandon any rabbit in a public place.
(1) The owner, person in charge or occupier of any premises must keep rabbits in a rabbit enclosure, designed for that purpose.
(2) An application for a permit must be accompanied by an approved building plan indicating all existing or proposed structures on the property.
(3) Detailed plans and specifications of structures wherein it is proposed to keep rabbits may be requested by City Health.
(4) 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 the keeping of rabbits.
(5) The rabbit enclosure must not be situated within ―
(a) 3m of the boundary of a residential erf;
(b) 3m from any dwelling or other structure used for human habitation;
(c) 50m of any water resource or water supply intended for human consumption; and
(d) 6m of any boundary of the erf which abuts any road or public place.
(6) The walls of a rabbit enclosure shall be constructed of brick, stone, concrete or other impervious material, with a smooth internal surface.
(7) The floors must be constructed of concrete or other impervious material and must have a smooth finish.
(8) If the rabbit enclosure is raised off the ground, the underside thereof must be constructed of an impervious and durable material, and it must be raised at least 300mm above ground level.
(9) The upper floor of a two or more story structure must be constructed of an impervious and easily cleanable material.
(10) The rabbit enclosure must be adequate in size to allow free, unobstructed movement of animals kept therein.
(11) A rabbit run, if provided, must be enclosed with wire mesh or other durable material and constructed in a way that prevents the escape of rabbits from the hutch. (12) If there are walls, the building or structure must be ventilated and lighted by means of natural openings or windows of an area not less than 15% of the floor area of the building or structure.
(13) A water supply adequate for drinking and cleaning must be provided in or next to every rabbit enclosure.
(14) If no walls are provided or walls are made of metal, the floor must have a curb at least 150 mm high around its outside edges, and every cage must be constructed of an impervious material and fitted with trays of an impervious material for the reception of manure.
(15) An adequate rodent-proof storeroom must be provided for the storage of feed.
(16) Adequate-washing facilities must be provided for the cleaning of enclosures.
(17) It is an offence for any person to discard, place or abandon any rabbit in a public place.
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