Local laws

Find out more at Preparing your property for fire - Burning off

If you want to busk on land owned or managed by Nillumbik Shire Council you may need a permit.

Council land includes:

• local roads not maintained by VicRoads
• footpaths and nature strips
• parks, reserves and playgrounds.

If you don't have a permit, you may get a fine.

Busking includes any form of public entertainment that you provide to raise funds for personal gain or to donate to charity.

Apply for a busking permit

If you want to run a street stall or fundraising collection in the Eltham Town Square rotunda, you will need a permit.

Apply for a permit to run a street stall or fundraise

A caravan may be parked on a residential street, provided that the caravan is parked legally and properly registered. The caravan must be no more than 7.5m in total length, and no more than 4.5 tonne.

Living in a caravan is not permitted in this municipality unless it is in a registered camping area.

Residents who are building on a vacant block may apply for a permit to live in a caravan for up to six months while building works are being undertaken. There are also conditions that must be complied with in relation to waste water disposal.

Apply for a permit to occupy a caravan

Businesses require a permit to place merchandise, signage (including A-frame signs) or eating facilities (including tables and chairs) on Council land.

Find out more about footpath trading and other business permits.

Shrubs and trees from private property are the responsibility of the property owner. Any branches that protrude from your property over footpaths and walkways must be trimmed.

If your property is at an intersection, check that vegetation is not a danger to traffic or obscure the view of drivers.

Rubbish bins must be brought onto your property within 24 hours of collection. Fines may be issued for bins which are repeatedly left out.

For more information see Bin collection.

Most signs that are erected in Nillumbik require planning approval to ensure they are safe and do not negatively impact community amenity.

Signs can not be erected, fixed or placed on Council land without a permit. Vehicles can not stop, stand or be left for the purpose of displaying an advertising sign on Council land without a permit.

Without a permit, advertising signs, merchandise, banners, flags, bunting or decorations may not be attached to any verandah or awning which is above or overhanging Council land.

If you see a sign that is dangerous or does not have planning approval, you can report it to Council and we will investigate.

Report illegal signage

Nillumbik Shire Council adopted a Temporary and Community Events Signage Policy on 15 September 2020, which creates a framework for local community and not-for profit groups to advertise upcoming events. The policy also incorporates emergency management, banner, real estate and a-frame signage requirements. This policy creates a clear, consistent and transparent framework to guide the approval process for the use of flags, banners, real estate and temporary signage to ensure appropriate use across the municipality.

The policy increases the amount of locations that event signs can be placed, as well as introducing 'What's on' Signage, which will add an additional 5 locations that upcoming events can be advertised using core-flutes and banners.

View the Temporary and Community Events Signage Policy(PDF, 759KB)

Shopping trolleys must not be left on any Council land, except in an area set aside for the purpose of storing shopping trolleys.

If you have seen an abandoned shopping trolley, you can report it.

Report an abandoned trolley

Council's Amenity Local Law Clause 28 requires property owners and occupiers to maintain their properties throughout the year.

The owner or occupier of the land must make sure that the property:

• does not become unsightly,
• does not constitute a danger to health or property,
• is not detrimental to the general amenity of the neighbourhood, and
• is not a haven for noxious weeds or pest animals.

An unsightly property can be described as having any of the following:

• unconstrained or excessive rubbish
• disused excavation, machinery, vehicles or waste material
• accumulated items
• excessive vegetation, including grass or weeds exceeding 200mm in height
• graffiti which is visible to the public

If you become aware of a property that is unsightly, you can report it to Council and we will investigate.

Report an unsightly property

If you want to remove vegetation from your naturestrip or roadside, you may need permission from Council, depending on what kind of vegetation you are proposing to remove.

Find out more about applying for a permit to remove vegetation from Council land.

Motorised toy vehicles

Any person using a motorised toy vehicle on private land that exceeds two hectares and has a dwelling/residence, is exempt from requiring a permit.

• The vehicle can only be used between the hours of 7am and 8pm Monday to Friday, and 9am and 8pm weekends.
• No more than two motorised toy vehicles can be used at any one time without a permit.
• The use of any motorised toy vehicle must not create any dust which detrimentally affects neighbouring properties.
• The vehicle/s must not be used on any of the following days:
  • Total Fire Ban
  • Severe, Extreme and Code Red Days
  • Smog alert days
  • Good Friday
  • Christmas Day
  • New Years Day.

Apply for a permit to use a motorised toy vehicle

Advertising vehicles for sale

Vehicles advertised for sale cannot be parked on nature strips, roads or Council reserves.

Municipal Laws Officers conduct regular patrols and issue fines of $200 for vehicles parked for the purposes of advertising, under Local Law provisions.

Parking

See the parking page for information on spaces, permits and restrictions.

Abandoned or derelict vehicles

A person must not leave an unregistered vehicle or abandon a vehicle on any road or parking area under the control of the Council or on Council land.

Vehicles found in this condition can be impounded and sold by Council.

Contacting the owner

Council will make a reasonable attempt to contact the registered owner to request the vehicle be removed.

If the vehicle is unregistered, enquiries will be made as to ownership, in the immediate neighbourhood.

The time allowed for removal will be based on the circumstances. If any danger or obstruction might result, immediate removal is required.

Removal and impounding

Where an owner cannot be identified or contacted, or fails to obey a direction to remove the vehicle from a public road, the vehicle (including goods and chattels in or on the vehicle) will be removed and impounded.

The owner, if known, will be contacted within four days and advised of the rights and procedures for release of impounded items.

Disposal

If a vehicle remains unclaimed for 14 days the Council will proceed to sell it via a tender process, give it away or otherwise dispose of the vehicle.

• Inspection of these vehicles can be arranged by appointment between 9am -11am Monday to Friday. Contact Council’s Community Safety Department on 9433 3111
• All vehicles currently impounded are available for tender. 
• Tenders, on an approved form, must be placed in the Tender Box located at the Nillumbik Shire Offices, Civic Drive, Greensborough
• If you are the successful tenderer, the vehicle must be removed from Council's pound facility within five (5) days of the tender being accepted.
• All vehicles are sold without any guarantee or warranty.

Reporting an illegally parked or abandoned vehicle

If you are aware of a vehicle that has been abandoned or is parked illegally, you can report it to us and we will investigate.

Report an illegally parked or abandoned vehicle