Keeping pigs

Pigs may be kept without permission if they are kept in a rural zone; and

• pigs are not allowed to move within 10 metres of any house
• manure, swill and feed are not be stored within
  • 10 metres of any house
  • 50 metres of any neighbouring house or other sensitive use
• pig shelters are at least 10 metres from any house
• pig shelters that are occupied by 1 to 3 adult pigs are at least 50 metres from any neighbouring house or other sensitive use
• pig shelters that are occupied by 4 or more adult pigs are at least 100 metres from any neighbouring house or other sensitive use.

The District Plan allows the keeping of 10 pigs per hectare.  That is one pig per 1/10th of a hectare.  Keeping more than this requires a resource consent.

Conditions for keeping pigs

The following conditions apply for keeping pigs:

• pig shelters and enclosures must be constructed and maintained so as to ensure that no nuisance occurs from their existence or use
• parasites, flies and other pests must not reach levels that may create a nuisance to neighbours or a health risk to humans or animals
• any discharge of objectionable or offensive odour must not be of an extent that it causes an adverse effect beyond the boundary of the property
• effective fencing or other containment measures must be provided to confine pigs within the site and to prevent them from gaining access to neighbouring properties
• pigs must be kept in such a manner that no other nuisance occurs (including any activity associated with the keeping of pigs such as storage of food and waste).

Written council approval is required to keep pigs outside these requirements.  If you require permission, fill in page 2 of the fact sheet.

Some distances may be reduced if the written consent of neighours is provided to council.

Form and more information

Application form - Keeping pigs

Bylaw - Keeping of Animals, Bees and Poultry