Cat containment rules for the City of Wyndham.

Yes, and the rule has recently tightened. Wyndham has moved from a night-time curfew of 10pm to 6am to full 24-hour containment, so your cat needs to stay on your property at all times. The council is phasing this in through 2026 with an education period first and fines for the new hours starting later in the year, while the old evening curfew still applies in the meantime. A fully enclosed cat run is one of the simplest ways to meet the rule, alongside cat-proof fencing or keeping your cat inside, and it lets your cat enjoy the outdoors without leaving the property.

Yes. Cats need to be registered with Wyndham once they reach three months of age, and registration is renewed every year, with the annual due date on 10 April. The council sets its fees each year, and you pay less for a desexed cat and less again if you hold an eligible concession card. Check the council's registration page for the current amounts and how to apply.

Yes to both. Wyndham requires cats to be desexed before you can register them, a rule the council has had in place since 2017, with only limited exemptions such as registered breeders, members of an applicable organisation, or where a vet provides written evidence that desexing would harm the cat's health. Your cat also needs to be microchipped, which lines up with the Victorian rules that apply across the state. The council runs a desexing incentive program that may help with the cost, so it is worth a look.

It depends on the type of property. Wyndham allows up to three cats on a standard residential block, two in a flat, unit or townhouse, and four on rural land. If you want to keep more than that, you need to apply to the council for an excess animal permit first.

The cat run itself does not need an animal permit from the council. What can come into play is a building permit, which is triggered by the size, height and position of the structure rather than the fact that it houses a cat. Smaller, lower enclosures often sit under the threshold that needs a permit, but that is not guaranteed, so it is best to check with the council or a registered building surveyor before you build. We are happy to design an enclosure that stays within the usual limits.

Building rules in Victoria generally turn on how big and tall a structure is and how close it sits to your boundaries, rather than setting cat-specific dimensions. Wyndham does not publish separate figures for cat enclosures, though for comparison it notes that dog kennels should sit in the backyard and stay under a set height. To stay clear of permit triggers we keep enclosures modest in size and height and set back from the fence line, and we can confirm the current thresholds with the council for your block.

Under the containment rules a cat off its property can be picked up by the council and impounded, and the owner can be fined. Those penalty amounts are reviewed each year, so check the council's pages for the current figure. Having your cat registered and microchipped makes it far quicker to reunite you if it is picked up, and a secure cat run is the surest way to avoid the situation altogether.

Usually yes, with the right permission. If you rent, you will need your landlord or the property owner to sign off, and free-standing or lightly fixed designs are often easier to get approved because they can be removed later. In an apartment or a property with an owners corporation, you generally need their approval before adding a structure. The 24-hour containment rule applies whatever your living situation, and we can tailor an enclosure to a balcony, courtyard or small yard so your cat still gets safe outdoor time.

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 City of Wyndham. 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 City of Wyndham 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.