Curfew rules for cats in the Borough of Queenscliffe.

Yes. The Borough of Queenscliffe has a night-time cat curfew, so cats must be confined to your property from 8pm, or 9pm during daylight saving, right through to 6am every day. The council brings this in to protect your cat, the local wildlife and to keep down nuisance around the neighbourhood. A fully enclosed cat run is a simple way to meet the curfew, because your cat can enjoy the outdoors while staying safely on the property day and night.

Yes. All cats over three months old must be registered with the Borough of Queenscliffe, and registration is renewed every year, with the due date usually falling around early April. Once registered, your cat is issued a lifetime tag that should stay on them at all times so they can be traced straight back to you. Fees are set by the council each year, so check with the council for the current amount.

For cats, yes to both. The council requires every cat to be desexed before it can be registered, and any cat being registered for the first time must be microchipped. Desexing also earns you a solid discount on the registration fee for the life of your cat. Your vet can take care of both the desexing and the microchip in the one visit.

In a residential area you can keep up to two cats without needing a permit. If you would like to keep more than that, you will need to apply to the council for a permit. It is worth checking with the council before you take on extra cats, as conditions can apply.

The cat run itself does not need an animal permit, and the Borough actually encourages owners to install a cat run, enclosure or cat-proof fencing so cats can be outdoors safely. What can come into play is a building permit, depending on the size and height of the structure. A small, freestanding enclosure is often under the threshold, but it is best to check with the council's building team before you start.

There can be. Under Victoria's building rules, a small freestanding structure, generally under about 10 square metres of floor area and no more than 3 metres high, is often exempt from a building permit, but boundary setbacks still matter. Queenscliff and Point Lonsdale also sit within significant heritage areas, which can add planning requirements in some streets. We design each cat enclosure to suit your yard, and we would always suggest confirming the specifics with the council.

Cats out during the curfew, or roaming off your property, can be picked up. The council even hires out cat traps to residents who have a cat wandering on their premises, with a refundable deposit. If your cat is impounded you can face fees to get it back, and that is easy to avoid when your cat is registered, wearing its tag and kept safely at home. A secure cat enclosure is the simplest way to make sure your cat never ends up wandering in the first place.

You can, though a couple of extra steps apply. If you rent, get your landlord or agent to sign off before building anything fixed, and a freestanding or lightweight enclosure that does not alter the property is usually the easiest option. In a unit, a balcony or window enclosure can work well, but check your owners corporation rules first. Either way the curfew still applies, so some form of enclosure or indoor setup is the way to keep a cat happy here.

A fully enclosed catio keeps your cat safely on your property, which is exactly what containment rules ask for, while still giving them fresh air and the sounds and smells of outside. We build a range of escape-proof enclosures, from a discreet patio catio to a side run or netting over the whole backyard, so there's an option to suit your home. Build a quote to get started.

Yes, we build custom catios right across greater Melbourne, including the Borough of Queenscliffe. If you're not sure you're in range, get in touch and we'll let you know.

Always confirm the current rules with the council directly via the Borough of Queenscliffe website (opens in a new tab). The guide above is research we've collated to help you get started, not legal advice, see the note at the foot of this page.