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Planning Permit - Victoria

Description

You may need this permit if you intend to change the use of land, construct a building or make other changes to the land.

Planning schemes regulate the use and development of land in Victoria, and each council has its own planning scheme. A planning permit allows a certain use and / or development on a specified parcel of land.

Requirements for permits vary for each council and depend on the scale, complexity, and potential impacts of the proposal. Even minor changes may need a planning permit, so you should confirm requirements with your council before proceeding.

More complex applications, relevant to Victoria's major transport, renewable energy and infrastructure projects, may require engagement with the State Government. For more information, please see here.

Service type

Licence

A licence defines the need to obtain recognition / certification and registration to undertake a certain business activity.

Eligibility requirements

Use the contact details for information about eligibility requirements.

Fees

Fees Details for this service in table format.

Task Type Business Structure Description
Apply Application All

Fees may vary. Please contact the responsible council / agency for more information.

Act(s) name

Planning and Environment Act 1987 Victoria

Regulation(s) name

Planning and Environment Interim Regulations 2026 Victoria

Application process

Apply

Before You Apply

Ask your council's planning department what information needs to be provided with the application, and what policies and provisions council will use to assess it.

Councils often have specific requirements and checklists, so it's important to check with the right council and confirm requirements before you start an application.

You'll need to provide different information for different types of permit applications, that could include:

  • site plans
  • elevation drawings
  • a written report.

You may also be required to talk to your neighbours so you know if they have questions or concerns about your proposal - this may save time later if changes can be made to the plans that address their concerns.

Lodgement process

Apply

The Regular Permit Process

The council is the usual first point of contact for permit applications.

The procedure formally begins when a completed application form is lodged with the responsible authority, accompanied by:

  • a complete description of the proposal (which may include plans, supporting information and copy of title)
  • the prescribed fee
  • a copy of the levy certificate (where the metropolitan levy applies)

You may be required to give notice to adjoining owners and occupiers, unless it is concluded that material detriment will not be caused to any person, or the planning scheme specifically provides for an exemption from the notice requirements.

VicSmart

The VicSmart permit process is a specific procedure for straightforward, low-impact applications. 

Please refer to the attached 'Using Victoria’s Planning System' guide for information about the types of permit applications that will be VicSmart applications.

Administering agency

Department of Transport and Planning

Planning

Contact details

Contact Email, Phone and Address Details for this service in simple two column table format, header then data.