Check if you need a planning permit

You may need a planning permit if you want to make changes to your property, start a business or do certain types of activities. It also depends on planning controls that apply to your property.

Before you apply for a planning permit or start making changes to your property, talk to us. Call the Planning team on 9433 3343.

Activities that may need a permit

You may need a planning permit if you want to build a:

• new house or units
• small second dwelling (granny flat)
• extension or do other works on your current house
• new shed, garage or carport.

You may need a planning permit to:

• subdivide land
• run a business from your home
• start a new business
• change the way a property or building is used 
• display business related signage
• sell or allow people to drink alcohol at a premises
• do earthworks - excavations or bringing in fill
• remove, prune or destroy vegetation (trees and other native plants).

Or a combination of any of the activities listed above.

Find out if you need a permit

What you can do on your property is guided by its:

• zone (residential, rural, industrial etc)
• planning overlays and controls (heritage, bushfire, environmental etc)
• restrictions on title (easement, covenants, Section 173).

Talk to us

We can help you understand:

• the planning controls that apply to your property
• if your proposal is allowed or needs a permit 
• if it qualifies as a VicSmart application
• what information to supply when you apply.

Call Planning Services on 9433 3343.

If you have details of what you are proposing you can ask us to confirm in writing if you need a planning permit.

Look up planning controls that apply to your property

For a summary of planning information for your property go to VicPlanning and search for a planning property report.

From there you can click through to understand more about your property’s zones or overlays in the Nillumbik Planning Scheme. You can see what land uses and buildings and works need a permit. The scheme also sets out guidelines for things such as VicSmart applications, building heights, protection of vegetation, heritage and more.

Check your Certificate of Title

There may be restrictions on your property’s title or title plan that you need to be aware of. These are listed as ‘encumbrances, caveats and notices’ on the title and may include Covenants or Section 173 Agreements. The plan of the land will show any easements.

To get a copy of your Certificate of Title, apply online via Landata.

For guidance on how to apply for your Certificate of Title, watch our short video.

Ask us to confirm in writing if you need a planning permit

If you need written advice about whether a permit is needed or not, we can help. We will email you a letter within 14 days. Ask us to confirm in writing if you need a planning permit.

Next steps

If you know you need a planning permit, we recommend that you request a free pre-application meeting with a Council Planner. We can help you to understand what to include in your application.