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We’re reviewing the QLDC Dog Control Bylaw 2020 and Dog Control Policy 2020 to make sure they both continue to work well for our community, our environment, and our four-legged friends.
All councils in Aotearoa New Zealand must regularly review their dog control bylaws. QLDC’s current bylaw, adopted in June 2020, is now due for review. We are reviewing the Dog Control Policy in parallel to ensure we take a complete look at dog ownership and management across the district.
What do the current QLDC Dog Control Policy and Dog Control Bylaw do?
Dog ownership in New Zealand is guided by the Dog Control Act 1996, which promotes responsible dog ownership and keeping our communities safe. Under the Act, every council must have a Dog Control Policy and may also have a Dog Control Bylaw to support how the policy is implemented.
QLDC’s Dog Control Policy 2020 outlines how dogs are managed in our district to promote responsible ownership, ensure dogs are well cared for, and minimise risks to people and other animals. It covers both national requirements (such as registering your dog) and local rules that reflect the unique needs of the Queenstown Lakes District.
These local rules are enforced through the Dog Control Bylaw 2020, which sets out where dogs are allowed, how they must be controlled, limits ownership to two dogs per property unless licensed, requires owners to clean up after their dogs, and mandates that female dogs are confined while in season.
By reviewing our Dog Control Bylaw and Policy, we’re making sure these rules still make sense for our district today, and into the future.
Thank you for your submissions during the pre-engagement phase - we received hundreds!
Project update 3 July 2026:
Council agrees a bylaw is the most appropriate approach
Thank you to everyone who took part in our early engagement on the Dog Control Bylaw and Policy. We appreciated hearing your experiences and ideas, which have helped inform the next stage of the project.
At its meeting on 25 June 2026, Council agreed that a bylaw is the most appropriate way to address the dog control issues identified across the district, as required under section 155 of the Local Government Act 2002.
This decision confirms that Council will proceed with continue developing a draft Dog Control Bylaw and supporting documents for formal public consultation with the community. No decisions on any changes to the bylaw or policy have been made.
What we heard
During early engagement, we heard a wide range of views from our community about dog control. Common themes included:
keeping shared trails and public spaces safe and enjoyable for everyone
protecting areas where children play
balancing the needs of dog owners with the wider community
ensuring rules are practical, clear and easy to understand.
Your feedback has helped identify the key issues that will be considered as draft options are developed.
What happens next?
Council staff will now prepare a draft Dog Control Bylaw and Statement of Proposal.
Later this year, we'll launch formal public consultation, giving everyone the opportunity to review the draft proposals and make a submission before any decisions are made.
Hearings will be held for anyone who would like to speak to their submission. If you participated in our early engagement, we'll let you know when formal consultation opens.
You can also read the Council report and meeting paper below to learn more about this stage of the project.
We’re reviewing the QLDC Dog Control Bylaw 2020 and Dog Control Policy 2020 to make sure they both continue to work well for our community, our environment, and our four-legged friends.
All councils in Aotearoa New Zealand must regularly review their dog control bylaws. QLDC’s current bylaw, adopted in June 2020, is now due for review. We are reviewing the Dog Control Policy in parallel to ensure we take a complete look at dog ownership and management across the district.
What do the current QLDC Dog Control Policy and Dog Control Bylaw do?
Dog ownership in New Zealand is guided by the Dog Control Act 1996, which promotes responsible dog ownership and keeping our communities safe. Under the Act, every council must have a Dog Control Policy and may also have a Dog Control Bylaw to support how the policy is implemented.
QLDC’s Dog Control Policy 2020 outlines how dogs are managed in our district to promote responsible ownership, ensure dogs are well cared for, and minimise risks to people and other animals. It covers both national requirements (such as registering your dog) and local rules that reflect the unique needs of the Queenstown Lakes District.
These local rules are enforced through the Dog Control Bylaw 2020, which sets out where dogs are allowed, how they must be controlled, limits ownership to two dogs per property unless licensed, requires owners to clean up after their dogs, and mandates that female dogs are confined while in season.
By reviewing our Dog Control Bylaw and Policy, we’re making sure these rules still make sense for our district today, and into the future.
Thank you for your submissions during the pre-engagement phase - we received hundreds!
Project update 3 July 2026:
Council agrees a bylaw is the most appropriate approach
Thank you to everyone who took part in our early engagement on the Dog Control Bylaw and Policy. We appreciated hearing your experiences and ideas, which have helped inform the next stage of the project.
At its meeting on 25 June 2026, Council agreed that a bylaw is the most appropriate way to address the dog control issues identified across the district, as required under section 155 of the Local Government Act 2002.
This decision confirms that Council will proceed with continue developing a draft Dog Control Bylaw and supporting documents for formal public consultation with the community. No decisions on any changes to the bylaw or policy have been made.
What we heard
During early engagement, we heard a wide range of views from our community about dog control. Common themes included:
keeping shared trails and public spaces safe and enjoyable for everyone
protecting areas where children play
balancing the needs of dog owners with the wider community
ensuring rules are practical, clear and easy to understand.
Your feedback has helped identify the key issues that will be considered as draft options are developed.
What happens next?
Council staff will now prepare a draft Dog Control Bylaw and Statement of Proposal.
Later this year, we'll launch formal public consultation, giving everyone the opportunity to review the draft proposals and make a submission before any decisions are made.
Hearings will be held for anyone who would like to speak to their submission. If you participated in our early engagement, we'll let you know when formal consultation opens.
You can also read the Council report and meeting paper below to learn more about this stage of the project.
Share How do we let the dogs out? Dog Control bylaw pre-engagement survey on FacebookShare How do we let the dogs out? Dog Control bylaw pre-engagement survey on X (formerly Twitter)Share How do we let the dogs out? Dog Control bylaw pre-engagement survey on LinkedinEmail How do we let the dogs out? Dog Control bylaw pre-engagement survey link
