You must have a permit if you wish to keep more than two dogs on a property zoned as urban or country living or rural property that is less than 20 hectares in area in the Waikato district.
The over-riding considerations when considering an application for a permit are:
- Health and safety of people
- Risk of nuisances
- Welfare of dogs
Any permit will be issued in respect of the premises where the dogs are to be kept, and will state the maximum number of dogs to be kept there.
If the limit is exceeded or circumstances affecting the permit criteria change, such as change of address, a new permit will be required.
The requirements for approval of a permit application are:
- The property being physically suitable to hold more than two dogs
- The dog owner/s meeting approved owner and selected owner policy criteria
- Having the written approval of neighbours on adjoining properties
- And any other terms or special conditions the council may attach, such as fencing providing unrestricted access to a door of the dwelling
Franklin dog owners
Franklin District Council Dog Control Bylaw 2010 requires every applicant applying for a permit to keep more than one dog in the rural or coastal zone will be required to obtain a Dog Owner Licence prior to the issue of the permit.
Dog owners are permitted to keep more than one dog over the age of three months for more than 14 days on a property zoned rural or coastal in an operative District Plan.
All applications for a permit to keep more than one dog, where one of the dogs concerned has been classified as dangerous or menacing by breed or deed, shall be declined.
Every permit may be issued on such terms and conditions as the council considers appropriate and these conditions shall be complied within one month of issue of permit or the permit may be revoked.
The requirements for approval of a permit application are:
- Location of property in relation to open space or adjacent rural land
- Intensity of residential developement surrounding the property
- Written approval of neighbours on adjoining properties (provided that the council shall not be constrained in granting/refusing consent by the absence of such approval)
- Adequate fencing and housing of the dogs
- Size of property
- Type of dog
Download a dog permit application form.