Cat Local Law

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Update, November 2025: Proposed City of Armadale Cat Amendment Local Law


At the Ordinary Council meeting on the 16 December 2024 Council resolved to adopt the draft Cat Local Law. The Cat Local Law 2024 took effect on 5 February 2025. After reviewing the law, the Joint Standing Committee for Delegated Legislation found it conflicted with the Cat Act 2011. As a consequence, the Joint Standing Committee for Delegated Legislation has requested an undertaking from Council that it will amend the local law to remove the extent of the conflict.


To meet this request the City of Armadale is proposing the Cat Amendment Local Law. Its purpose is to implement the Undertaking given by Council on 14 July 2025 to the Joint Standing Committee for Delegated Legislation, in respect of amendments required to the City of Armadale Cat Local Law 2024.


A copy of the current local law, the proposed amendment local law, and a copy of the Undertaking provided to the Joint Standing Committee for Delegated Legislation is available in the document library.


Submissions about the proposed local law may be made in writing to the Chief Executive Officer, Locked Bag 2, Armadale WA 6992, to info@armadale.wa.gov.au or by completing the submission form below by Thursday 18 December 2025.



Background: Original Engagement on the Cat Local Law - THIS ENGAGEMENT HAS NOW CONCLUDED

Update January 2025: 🐾 The City of Armadale’s Cat Local Law is now in effect as of 5 February 2025 🐾

Here’s what it means for cat owners and the community:

🐾 Number of Cats
A maximum of four cats per property is permitted—if you wish to keep more, you’ll need to apply for a permit. Owners with five or more registered cats before 5 February 2025 do not require a permit. However, they cannot replace any cat that dies or is permanently removed from the property.

🐾 Cat Prohibited Areas
To protect local bushland and wildlife, cats are prohibited from all City-managed reserves.

🐾 Nuisance Cats

Cat owners need to ensure their cats do not create a nuisance to the community. A cat is considered a nuisance if it unreasonably interferes with the use and enjoyment of a person within their land, causes material damage to land or property or their behaviour is harmful or annoying giving rise to legal liability.

🐾 Encouraging Safe and Responsible Cat Ownership
Did you know that cats kept indoors or contained in a secure outdoor area live significantly longer than those allowed to roam freely? While confinement is not enforced, keeping your cat contained:
✔ Reduces the risk of injury, disease, or getting lost
✔ Minimises harm to native wildlife
✔ Prevents disputes with neighbours
✔ Saves on vet bills and potential impound fees

For full details on the Cat Local Law, visit armadale.wa.gov.au or contact us at (08) 9394 5000.

Let’s work together to create a safe and cat-friendly community for everyone.

You can find the Community Engagement Report for the draft Local Law consultation here.

The City of Armadale values your input on the draft of our new Cat Local Law. Your feedback is crucial in creating a community-focused and effective Law.


The proposed Local Law aims to:

i. Ensure cats are not a nuisance to residents,

ii. Identify cat prohibited areas (check out our detailed maps for Central, East, and West zones), and

iii. Regulate cats in non-public spaces.


This initiative promotes responsible cat ownership without enforcing cat confinement. View the draft Cat Local Law here and share your thoughts.


Let's work together to create a cat-friendly community! 🐾

Update, November 2025: Proposed City of Armadale Cat Amendment Local Law


At the Ordinary Council meeting on the 16 December 2024 Council resolved to adopt the draft Cat Local Law. The Cat Local Law 2024 took effect on 5 February 2025. After reviewing the law, the Joint Standing Committee for Delegated Legislation found it conflicted with the Cat Act 2011. As a consequence, the Joint Standing Committee for Delegated Legislation has requested an undertaking from Council that it will amend the local law to remove the extent of the conflict.


To meet this request the City of Armadale is proposing the Cat Amendment Local Law. Its purpose is to implement the Undertaking given by Council on 14 July 2025 to the Joint Standing Committee for Delegated Legislation, in respect of amendments required to the City of Armadale Cat Local Law 2024.


A copy of the current local law, the proposed amendment local law, and a copy of the Undertaking provided to the Joint Standing Committee for Delegated Legislation is available in the document library.


Submissions about the proposed local law may be made in writing to the Chief Executive Officer, Locked Bag 2, Armadale WA 6992, to info@armadale.wa.gov.au or by completing the submission form below by Thursday 18 December 2025.



Background: Original Engagement on the Cat Local Law - THIS ENGAGEMENT HAS NOW CONCLUDED

Update January 2025: 🐾 The City of Armadale’s Cat Local Law is now in effect as of 5 February 2025 🐾

Here’s what it means for cat owners and the community:

🐾 Number of Cats
A maximum of four cats per property is permitted—if you wish to keep more, you’ll need to apply for a permit. Owners with five or more registered cats before 5 February 2025 do not require a permit. However, they cannot replace any cat that dies or is permanently removed from the property.

🐾 Cat Prohibited Areas
To protect local bushland and wildlife, cats are prohibited from all City-managed reserves.

🐾 Nuisance Cats

Cat owners need to ensure their cats do not create a nuisance to the community. A cat is considered a nuisance if it unreasonably interferes with the use and enjoyment of a person within their land, causes material damage to land or property or their behaviour is harmful or annoying giving rise to legal liability.

🐾 Encouraging Safe and Responsible Cat Ownership
Did you know that cats kept indoors or contained in a secure outdoor area live significantly longer than those allowed to roam freely? While confinement is not enforced, keeping your cat contained:
✔ Reduces the risk of injury, disease, or getting lost
✔ Minimises harm to native wildlife
✔ Prevents disputes with neighbours
✔ Saves on vet bills and potential impound fees

For full details on the Cat Local Law, visit armadale.wa.gov.au or contact us at (08) 9394 5000.

Let’s work together to create a safe and cat-friendly community for everyone.

You can find the Community Engagement Report for the draft Local Law consultation here.

The City of Armadale values your input on the draft of our new Cat Local Law. Your feedback is crucial in creating a community-focused and effective Law.


The proposed Local Law aims to:

i. Ensure cats are not a nuisance to residents,

ii. Identify cat prohibited areas (check out our detailed maps for Central, East, and West zones), and

iii. Regulate cats in non-public spaces.


This initiative promotes responsible cat ownership without enforcing cat confinement. View the draft Cat Local Law here and share your thoughts.


Let's work together to create a cat-friendly community! 🐾

Page last updated: 15 Nov 2025, 09:16 AM