You may be required to comply with your council's local laws to ensure that your birds and poultry remain healthy and do not become a nuisance to your neighbours or the community. Local laws may govern:
- provision of appropriate housing and enclosures
- storage of seeds and any other types of bird food
- cleanliness of housing and enclosures.
There may be separate regulations imposed by council on the keeping of roosters.
Common restrictions imposed by the council in relation to beekeeping include:
- the size of the property the bees will be housed
- the number of hives permitted (if any).
Beehives in rural areas should not be located within 50 metres of an adjoining neighbour's dwelling or school bus stops.
Beehives in urban areas must be in a quiet area of the allotment and not directly against the neighbouring property unless a solid fence or impenetrable vegetative barrier (no less than two metres high) forms the property boundary. Hives must be kept as far away from roads, footpaths, and parks as possible.