How many birds can I keep in a Gold Coast apartment?

When transitioning from a suburban house to an apartment, townhouse, or a property under 300 square metres on the Gold Coast, many pet owners are surprised to learn that strict local laws govern what animals they can bring with them. This applies especially to birds.

The City of Gold Coast regulates animal keeping based on the size of your property. If your allotment is less than 300m² (which covers almost all apartments and many modern townhouses), you are restricted in both the size and quantity of birds you can legally keep.

The Bird Size Categories

Under the local laws, allowable bird numbers are scaled according to the bird’s size:

• Small birds (e.g., budgerigars, canaries): You may keep up to four small birds.
• Medium birds (e.g., cockatiels, lorikeets): You may keep up to two medium birds.
• Large birds (e.g., cockatoos, galahs): You may keep one large bird.

These limits apply specifically to properties under 300 square metres. If you move into a property larger than this, the allowable numbers increase.

Poultry and Exotic Birds

The rules are entirely different for poultry (chickens, ducks, geese) and larger exotic birds like peafowl (peacocks):

• Poultry: You cannot keep poultry on an allotment under 600m². If your block is between 600m² and 800m², you can keep up to four head of poultry (excluding roosters).
• Peafowl (Peacocks): Peacocks are known for being extremely noisy and disruptive. The local laws reflect this: you cannot keep a peacock unless your property is at least 4,000 square metres (roughly one acre).

Body Corporate By-Laws

Importantly, complying with the City of Gold Coast local laws does not automatically give you the right to keep a bird in your apartment. You must also comply with your building’s Body Corporate By-Laws.

Many strata schemes have by-laws that restrict pet ownership, require written committee approval before an animal is brought onto the scheme, or outright ban noisy animals if they interfere with other residents’ peaceful enjoyment of their lots. If your bird is excessively noisy—even if it is legally permitted by council rules—your body corporate may order its removal.

Always check your body corporate by-laws and seek formal written approval before moving a pet bird into a Gold Coast apartment.

More Information

For full details on enclosures, hygiene, noise management, and the permit application process for keeping animals in excess of these limits, visit the Gold Coast City Council’s official Keeping Animals page .

Need Advice on a Strata or Property Dispute?

If you are dealing with a body corporate dispute regarding a pet, or need assistance understanding the by-laws before purchasing an apartment, Bell & Senior Lawyers can assist.

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