Health and Environmental Services Information Sheet 3

Keeping of Birds

Owners and occupiers of premises within the Town are permitted to keep cage birds, subject to compliance with the Town of Bassendean Health Local Law 2001. Cage birds include budgerigars, canaries, finches, quail, doves and other small birds kept in cages on residential premises. Conditions for keeping cage birds are as follows;

No pigeons, cage birds or other cage-birds are able to approach within 9 metres of a dwelling, public building or premises where people are employed or where food is stored, prepared, manufactured or sold.
The approval of the Manager Health and Environmental Services is to be obtained before an aviary or loft is kept closer than 9 metres to dwellings. Such an approval is subject to the dwelling being either on an adjacent property in the same ownership or a dwelling on the same property that is occupied by the keeper of the aviary or loft. In any case, the minimum separation will not be reduced to less than 5 metres.
Except where registered, homing pigeons are freed for exercise, the pigeons, cage-birds and other cage-birds are confined in a properly constructed pigeon cage, aviary or loft.
No pigeon cage, aviary or loft shall be located nearer than 1.2 metres from the boundary of adjoining properties.
All structures used to house pigeons, cage-birds and other cage-birds shall be of sound, weatherproof construction, the framework and roost being of smooth sealed timber or metal, the walls and roof to be constructed of galvanised iron or other approved material, and the floor to be constructed in a manner and of a material which will facilitate the hygienic removal of waste matter, husks, seed, feathers, dead birds and faecal matter.
All cages, aviaries, lofts, surrounds, food and water containers and rubbish receptacles shall be kept clean and maintained in good order and condition at all times.
All waste, including husks, seed, feathers, dead birds and faecal matter shall be placed in plastic or double lined paper garbage bags and disposed of immediately after collection into an approved receptacle. Such receptacle shall have a tight fitting lid and be inaccessible to flies, rodents and other vectors of disease.
The occupier shall clean and disinfect cages, aviaries, lofts and surrounds, and trap or bait flies, rodents and other vectors of disease in accordance with any direction of an Environmental Health Officer.
Pigeons registered as homing pigeons may be released for daily exercise and may also be released for organised races and training.
The local government may, at its discretion, prohibit an owner or occupier exercising homing pigeons between specified hours of the day, if health or nuisance related problems become evident.
Where there is any discrepancy between this section relating to the keeping of pigeons, cage-birds and other cage-birds and the Code of Practice, the higher standard of construction and hygiene shall prevail.
Bird cages, aviaries, lofts and surrounds shall be kept in a clean condition to the satisfaction of an Environmental Health Officer.

Other cage birds not permitted

No person shall keep within the Town of Bassendean any of the following without the written approval from Council:

Geese;
Turkey;
Peafowl
Rooster, or
Other cage birds, such as galahs, corellas and the like.

Removal of non-conforming structure or enclosure

If a structure or enclosure is used for the keeping of poultry, pigeons, cage birds or other cage birds, contrary to the provisions of the Town of Bassendean Health Local Laws, the Manager Health and Environmental Services may direct the owner or occupier to remove it.

Restrictions on pigeon nesting, perching and feeding

The local government may order an owner or occupier of a house in or on which pigeons are, or are in the habit of nesting or perching, to take adequate steps to prevent them continuing to do so. A person shall not feed pigeons or other birds roaming at large, so as to cause, or contribute to, a nuisance or be injurious or dangerous to health.

If you require further information please contact Health and Environmental Services on 9377 8000.

See more information sheets >>>