Dog Ownership

The owner of a dog' is any person who owns a dog or has a dog in their possession.

As the owner of a dog, you have a responsibility to abide by Council's Dog Policy. (PDF 195Kb)

When you register your dog, Council gives you a copy of this policy. An offence against any of the bylaws in the Dog Policy can lead to an infringement fee of $300.00.

In the Rotorua urban area, no more than two dogs over the age of three months may be housed on individual premises. To keep any more than two dogs over three months old, a Kennel Licence is required.

An Applications for a Kennel Licence is available from our Customer Centre or by clicking this link

Kennel licence application form (620KB). There will be a fee to pay. See our fees and charges (PDF 218KB)

What are the permit conditions for owning more than two dogs?

All requirements of the Dog Control Act 1996 and relevant Rotorua Lakes Council Bylaws shall be met at all times unless otherwise approved by a Council Officer.

1. The application shall attempt to obtain the signature of their four closest neighbours prior to submitting an application.
2. An application fee must be paid before any inspection is carried out.
3. The site/location must be checked by an Animal Control officer prior to any permanent building work being commenced.
4. A yearly fee is required to be paid for the renewal of a Kennel License.
5. Kennels are not to be sited closer than 6 metres to a neighbouring dwelling and 1 metre from any boundary of the applicant's property.
6. If a permanent as opposed to a moveable kennel and run is to be constructed, the base area of the run must be concreted to an approved with a concrete nib wall around the base of the concrete pad no less than 200mm in height with adequate fall to a gully trap.
7. A water supply must be available in order to facilitate cleaning and the supply of fresh drinking water.
8. The entire kennel is required to be maintained in a sanitary condition at all times.
9. Dogs may be housed in other than outdoor kennels. This will depend on the individual circumstances of each case and subject to any condition that may be imposed.
10. A building consent is required for structures over 10 square metres.

Rotorua Lakes Council has a special category of dog owner called Selected Dog Owner Status for owners who have been approved as a responsible dog owner in the urban area. There are a number of criteria the owner must meet to become a Selected Dog Owner. A selected owner will be accorded a reduction of registration fee provided that the required criteria have been met each and every subsequent year.

What are the criteria for Selected Dog Ownership?

In order to qualify for selected dog ownership, the criteria are:

1. Any person who has owned a dog for more than one year.
2. The property where the dog(s) is/are housed has been inspected by a Rotorua Lakes Council Animal Control Officer and the owner interviewed as to their understanding of statute and bylaw requirements.
3. The property is adequately fenced to contain the dog(s) at all times.
4. The sleeping quarters (kennelling) and exercise facilities for the dog(s) are adequate.
5. Any dog owner whose dog has not been the subject of a justified complaint in the two years prior to application.
6. The dog(s) has not been found to be a nuisance to neighbours or impounded in the two years prior to application, e.g. complaints about aggressive dogs, barking dogs
7. The dog(s) must be registered by the due date.
8. Preferred owners must notify Council of any change of address within 14 days. A property inspection of the new address will be required.
9. The correct answering of 10 out of 12 questions on responsible dog ownership.

How do I apply for selected dog ownership?

You can make an application by phone or in writing from 1 July to 31 March in any year. Your application will apply to the next registration year.

Once your application is accepted, you will be required to pass a test on responsible dog ownership with Council's staff and have a property inspection. The responsible dog ownership test is completed at the owners address at the time of inspection. The field officer carrying out this inspection will make a decision on acceptance for Selected Owner Status. Owners with Select Owner Status pay a lower registration fee.

If you are successful in attaining Selected Dog Ownership status, it will be applied in the following registration year.

There is no cost involved in applying for Selected Dog Ownership.

Contact us on 07 348 4199 to find out more.