Draft Bylaw for Keeping of Animals, Poultry and Bees

As Selwyn’s population continues to grow, especially in our townships, so does the number of pets and animals we have in and around our homes.

Following public consultation last year on a possible animal control bylaw the Council has now developed a draft bylaw that will help manage issues to do with the keeping of animals (excluding dogs*), poultry and bees, in urban areas of Selwyn.

The draft bylaw aims to set standards for the keeping of animals, poultry and bees, protect the public from nuisance, address public health and safety issues.

It will also cover issues such as nuisance, odour, and noise and will allow the Council to investigate and act on nuisance complaints relating to animals.

You can read the full draft bylaw here.

* Dogs are already managed under separate legislation.

The draft bylaw includes clauses on:

Animals:
Owners of animals in urban areas must ensure their animal doesn’t cause a nuisance to others, and that the animal is kept in non-offensive conditions. There are also regulations about animal excrement and animals that are roaming outside the property.

Stock:
Except with written approval of the Council, no stock (excluding poultry and bees) is allowed to be kept in an urban area on properties that are less than 2000 square metres in area.

Poultry:
All poultry in urban areas must be housed in a properly constructed poultry house with a rainproof roof and concrete floor (or similar). The poultry house must meet restrictions on where it is located on the property in relation to neighbouring properties. Each urban property is allowed up to 12 poultry, but no roosters or peacocks are allowed.

Bees:
In ALL areas in Selwyn, bee owners must ensure that no nuisance is caused by their bees and the Council can require the removal of a hive if it is dangerous, offensive or likely to cause harm. Each urban property is allowed up to two hives and a water source must be available and maintained on the property. The Council may prescribe the location of hives on a property under recommendation of Apiculture New Zealand. Exemptions will be considered to allow up to four hives on sites which are in excess of 1500 square metres or located next to reserves or rural land. All apiaries or beekeepers must be registered under the Biosecurity Act 1993 and the Biosecurity Order 1998.

Cats:
In the previous consultation feedback was sought on whether the Council should require people to microchip and de-sex their cats. The Council has reconsidered its position and these provisions have been removed from the draft bylaw approved for consultation.

You can make a submission on this website, using the online form, you can email us your submission form at animalbylaw@selwyn.govt.nz or you can send it to:

The Regulatory Manager
Selwyn District Council
Bylaw for Keeping Animals, Poultry and Bees
PO Box 90
Rolleston 7643

Submissions must be received no later than 5pm on Friday 6 November.

All submissions received will be acknowledged and will be publicly available. This includes personal information.

Any person making a submission may request to be heard in support of their submission. Hearings are open to the public and may be livestreamed.