Northern Territory Backyard & Small-Acreage Livestock Rules, by Council
The NT stands apart from every state covered on this site: a Property Identification Code (PIC) is required for poultry regardless of flock size (see the state-wide NT & ACT article for the full state-level picture). On top of that, much of the Territory sits outside any local government area entirely, and the handful of NT councils that do exist set different rules from each other. This page collects what each council's own published policy actually says, sourced directly from each council wherever possible.
City of Darwin
Darwin's City of Darwin By-laws 2023 (No 17 of 2023) define "livestock" broadly — the by-law's own examples list honey bees, horses, poultry, crocodiles, cattle, buffalo, camels, sheep, goats, pigs, deer, llamas and alpacas. Livestock is prohibited in Darwin except where specifically allowed. Honey bees may be kept anywhere in the municipality. Horses are restricted to land zoned RL (Rural Living) or OR (Organised Recreation). Chickens and roosters can only be kept on land zoned RL, on a single-dwelling lot larger than 600m², or on land used for a community garden or school — and since 2 October 2024, are capped at 20 chickens and 2 roosters per eligible household. Any other livestock is restricted to RL-zoned land only.
Sources: City of Darwin By-laws 2023 (PDF); New By-laws
City of Palmerston
Palmerston's Animal Management By-laws use a different, land-ratio approach for larger livestock rather than a flat number: no domestic livestock animal (horse, ox, buffalo, camel, goat and similar) may be kept on a lot with less than 1 hectare of available land, and even then, only 1 animal per hectare of available land is permitted. For poultry, the by-law gives council the power to set a maximum number by resolution rather than fixing one in the by-law text itself — confirm the current published limit directly with council, as it's set and updated separately.
Source: City of Palmerston (Animal Management) By-laws (PDF)
Frequently Asked Questions
Does every NT council set the same chicken limit?
No. Darwin's current by-law caps chickens at 20 plus 2 roosters per eligible household, on land that meets specific zoning or lot-size criteria. Palmerston's by-law instead lets council set the poultry limit by resolution rather than fixing a number in the by-law itself, so the current figure needs checking directly with council.
Do I need a Property Identification Code to keep chickens in the NT?
Yes, regardless of flock size — this is a genuine state-wide requirement that applies even to a handful of backyard hens, unlike most other states which only trigger PIC-style registration once you exceed a larger threshold.
Can I keep goats, horses or other larger livestock in Darwin or Palmerston?
Generally only on land zoned Rural Living (RL). Darwin restricts horses to RL or Organised Recreation zoning, and all other livestock (besides bees, horses and chickens) to RL-zoned land only. Palmerston uses a land-area ratio instead: at least 1 hectare of available land per animal, with a 1-hectare minimum lot size before any livestock is permitted at all.
What if I live outside any council area in the NT?
A significant share of the Northern Territory sits outside any local government area, where council by-laws simply don't apply. The state-level rules covered in the state-wide NT & ACT article, including PIC registration, still apply regardless.
Where do I find my own council's exact rules if it isn't listed here?
Search "[your council name] keeping of animals" or "[your council name] by-law" directly on your council's own website, or phone their customer service line — this page covers a first batch of NT councils and more are being added over time.