Here are some common questions about planning in Yarra. We've provided answers to help guide you with your application.
You can also find information on these pages on our website:
Here are some common questions about planning in Yarra. We've provided answers to help guide you with your application.
You can also find information on these pages on our website:
If you are considering doing any building works to your property, want to change the way your property is used, or display an advertising sign for your business, it is likely that you will need a planning permit and/or a building permit.
Your property will have a set of planning controls that apply to it. It is these planning controls that specify when you will need a planning permit. It is important that you find out exactly what these are so that you can look at the relevant planning policy in the Yarra Planning Scheme.
That way, you can make sure that you apply for the correct permit/s and it will help you check that what you would like to do at your property is reasonable and appropriate and likely to be compatible with planning policy.
To find out what planning controls apply to your property, you can visit the following websites to obtain a planning property report:
Alternatively, for assistance, you can contact our planning team:
We will respond to your enquiry within 5 business days.
If you are considering doing any building works to your property, want to change the way your property is used, or display an advertising sign for your business, it is likely that you will need a planning permit and/or a building permit.
Your property will have a set of planning controls that apply to it. It is these planning controls that specify when you will need a planning permit. It is important that you find out exactly what these are so that you can look at the relevant planning policy in the Yarra Planning Scheme.
That way, you can make sure that you apply for the correct permit/s and it will help you check that what you would like to do at your property is reasonable and appropriate and likely to be compatible with planning policy.
To find out what planning controls apply to your property, you can visit the following websites to obtain a planning property report:
Alternatively, for assistance, you can contact our planning team:
We will respond to your enquiry within 5 business days.
Planning permits and building permits are not the same. Sometimes you will only need a planning permit or a building permit, and other times you will need both.
Planning is concerned with the land and the way it will be used and/or developed.
Statutory Planning is the team within Council responsible for processing applications for a planning permit, including an application to build or extend a property, replace a fence, start a business or construct and display an advertising sign. An application for a planning permit is assessed against the policies and controls in the Yarra Planning Scheme.
Building is concerned with the actual construction – its quality and the safety of a building for its occupants.
Building is the team responsible for considering applications for a building permit, occupancy permit and conducting building safety inspections. After getting a planning permit a person needs to apply for a building permit and can do this either through Council or through a private building surveyor.
Planning permits and building permits are not the same. Sometimes you will only need a planning permit or a building permit, and other times you will need both.
Planning is concerned with the land and the way it will be used and/or developed.
Statutory Planning is the team within Council responsible for processing applications for a planning permit, including an application to build or extend a property, replace a fence, start a business or construct and display an advertising sign. An application for a planning permit is assessed against the policies and controls in the Yarra Planning Scheme.
Building is concerned with the actual construction – its quality and the safety of a building for its occupants.
Building is the team responsible for considering applications for a building permit, occupancy permit and conducting building safety inspections. After getting a planning permit a person needs to apply for a building permit and can do this either through Council or through a private building surveyor.
Pre-application advice for the following types of development can be provided over the phone:
We will respond to your enquiry within 5 business days.
If you have a question about planning and would like a written response from Council on whether you need a planning permit, or if you have a more complex planning enquiry, you need to lodge a request for a written planning property enquiry (PPE) to Council.
submit your Planning Property Enquiry and supporting documentation
We'll email you an invoice to arrange payment after you submit your enquiry. Once payment is received, we can proceed with your enquiry.
Find out more by visiting our Planning and subdivision fees page.
Pre-application advice for the following types of development can be provided over the phone:
We will respond to your enquiry within 5 business days.
If you have a question about planning and would like a written response from Council on whether you need a planning permit, or if you have a more complex planning enquiry, you need to lodge a request for a written planning property enquiry (PPE) to Council.
submit your Planning Property Enquiry and supporting documentation
We'll email you an invoice to arrange payment after you submit your enquiry. Once payment is received, we can proceed with your enquiry.
Find out more by visiting our Planning and subdivision fees page.
Every property in Yarra has a set of planning controls that apply to it and it is these planning controls that specify when you will need a planning permit.
By reading the relevant planning policies you will be better informed about whether what you would like to do at your property is reasonable and appropriate and likely to be compatible with planning policy.
To find out what planning controls apply to your property, you can obtain a planning property report from the following websites:
You can request a pre-application meeting to discuss your options before applying for a planning permit.
Every property in Yarra has a set of planning controls that apply to it and it is these planning controls that specify when you will need a planning permit.
By reading the relevant planning policies you will be better informed about whether what you would like to do at your property is reasonable and appropriate and likely to be compatible with planning policy.
To find out what planning controls apply to your property, you can obtain a planning property report from the following websites:
You can request a pre-application meeting to discuss your options before applying for a planning permit.
If you obtain a planning permit from Council to change the use of your property, before you commence the use, you may also need to consider the following:
If you wish to place anything on the footpath at the front of your property, such as tables, chairs, umbrellas and signs, you will need to apply for a Footpath Trading Licence.
Food safety and health regulations will depend on the type of business you are running (for example a hairdressing salon) and if you are serving food (for example a tavern).
If you are changing the ‘class’ the category/type of the building occupancy/use, then you will need to apply for a building permit before you commence the use.
If you obtain a planning permit from Council to change the use of your property, before you commence the use, you may also need to consider the following:
If you wish to place anything on the footpath at the front of your property, such as tables, chairs, umbrellas and signs, you will need to apply for a Footpath Trading Licence.
Food safety and health regulations will depend on the type of business you are running (for example a hairdressing salon) and if you are serving food (for example a tavern).
If you are changing the ‘class’ the category/type of the building occupancy/use, then you will need to apply for a building permit before you commence the use.
If you are increasing the size or floor area at your property, or changing the use of your property, you must look at the requirements of Clause 52.06 (Car Parking) of the Yarra planning Scheme.
They prescribe a certain number of car parking spaces to be provided on your property. Clause 52.06 does not apply if you are constructing or extending one dwelling on a lot in a residential zone.
You can read Clause 52.06 (Car Parking) of the Yarra planning Scheme online on the Victorian Planning Portal.
Providing car parking spaces on your property may not be achievable for various reasons.
While Clause 52.06 (Car Parking) prescribes a certain number of car parking spaces to be provided on a property depending on the use, and how car parking spaces should be designed, it also acknowledges that this may not always be possible.
It allows a person to lodge a planning application to reduce or fully waiver (in other words, reduce to zero) the number of the car parking spaces prescribed by the Yarra Planning Scheme.
A reduction is where you provide some, but not all, of the required car parking spaces. A full waiver is when you cannot provide any car parking spaces.
This is what information you need to provide to Council when applying for a planning permit to reduce the car parking requirements set out in the Yarra Planning Scheme:
An assessment against the application requirements and “decision guidelines” listed in Clause 52.06-7 (Car Parking) of the Yarra Planning Scheme, including:
If you are seeking a significant reduction or waiver you will need to lodge an empirical assessment of car parking demand provided by a qualified traffic and parking engineer.
Pursuant to Clause71.06 of the Yarra Planning Scheme, an application under Clause 52.06 to reduce the required number of car parking spaces by no more than 10 car parking spaces, is a class of Vic Smart application and is assessed against Clause 59.10 of the Yarra Planning Scheme.
If you are increasing the size or floor area at your property, or changing the use of your property, you must look at the requirements of Clause 52.06 (Car Parking) of the Yarra planning Scheme.
They prescribe a certain number of car parking spaces to be provided on your property. Clause 52.06 does not apply if you are constructing or extending one dwelling on a lot in a residential zone.
You can read Clause 52.06 (Car Parking) of the Yarra planning Scheme online on the Victorian Planning Portal.
Providing car parking spaces on your property may not be achievable for various reasons.
While Clause 52.06 (Car Parking) prescribes a certain number of car parking spaces to be provided on a property depending on the use, and how car parking spaces should be designed, it also acknowledges that this may not always be possible.
It allows a person to lodge a planning application to reduce or fully waiver (in other words, reduce to zero) the number of the car parking spaces prescribed by the Yarra Planning Scheme.
A reduction is where you provide some, but not all, of the required car parking spaces. A full waiver is when you cannot provide any car parking spaces.
This is what information you need to provide to Council when applying for a planning permit to reduce the car parking requirements set out in the Yarra Planning Scheme:
An assessment against the application requirements and “decision guidelines” listed in Clause 52.06-7 (Car Parking) of the Yarra Planning Scheme, including:
If you are seeking a significant reduction or waiver you will need to lodge an empirical assessment of car parking demand provided by a qualified traffic and parking engineer.
Pursuant to Clause71.06 of the Yarra Planning Scheme, an application under Clause 52.06 to reduce the required number of car parking spaces by no more than 10 car parking spaces, is a class of Vic Smart application and is assessed against Clause 59.10 of the Yarra Planning Scheme.
If you're applying for a planning permit to build or extend a dwelling you must submit the following with your application:
An Existing Site Plan is a plan (drawing) that clearly shows the position of the building on your property.
It must be drawn to scale and must clearly show all of the following:
On the properties immediately next to your property, label:
On the street next to your property, show:
A Proposed Floor Plan is a drawing that clearly shows the location of your building on your property.
Your Proposed Floor Plan(s) must be drawn to scale and must clearly show all of the following:
On each property immediately next to your property (that you share a boundary with), label:
If your property is located next to a property in a residential zone, label:
When we assess your application, we will do this against all of the relevant planning policy in the Yarra Planning Scheme.
It is useful for you to also submit a written assessment with your application that explains how you think your proposal meets all of the requirements of the relevant planning policy.
Generally, the following planning policy will be relevant for a change of use application and they are part of the Yarra Planning Scheme and are available online on the Victorian Planning Portal.
Clause 22.05 (Interface Uses policy)
Your written assessment should contain as much information about your proposal as possible. It may vary with each application as some things will not be relevant to your application but generally your written assessment should include the following:
If you want to use your property for industry or as a warehouse, you will need to give details on the following:
If you're applying for a planning permit to build or extend a dwelling you must submit the following with your application:
An Existing Site Plan is a plan (drawing) that clearly shows the position of the building on your property.
It must be drawn to scale and must clearly show all of the following:
On the properties immediately next to your property, label:
On the street next to your property, show:
A Proposed Floor Plan is a drawing that clearly shows the location of your building on your property.
Your Proposed Floor Plan(s) must be drawn to scale and must clearly show all of the following:
On each property immediately next to your property (that you share a boundary with), label:
If your property is located next to a property in a residential zone, label:
When we assess your application, we will do this against all of the relevant planning policy in the Yarra Planning Scheme.
It is useful for you to also submit a written assessment with your application that explains how you think your proposal meets all of the requirements of the relevant planning policy.
Generally, the following planning policy will be relevant for a change of use application and they are part of the Yarra Planning Scheme and are available online on the Victorian Planning Portal.
Clause 22.05 (Interface Uses policy)
Your written assessment should contain as much information about your proposal as possible. It may vary with each application as some things will not be relevant to your application but generally your written assessment should include the following:
If you want to use your property for industry or as a warehouse, you will need to give details on the following:
If you're applying for a planning permit for signage you must include the following with your application:
A Proposed Floor Plan is a plan (drawing) that clearly shows the position of the building on your property and those your property shares a boundary with, and their uses.
Your Proposed Floor Plan(s) must be drawn to scale and must clearly show all of the following:
On each property immediately next to your property (that you share a boundary with), label:
On your property label:
A Proposed Elevation is a drawing that clearly shows what your building will look like if the sign(s) is approved.
You will need to lodge several Proposed Elevation to show what your property will look like from each side (i.e. north, south, east and west). In other words what your building will look like from the street, from the rear fence line / laneway, and from both sides.
For example: the front elevation would show what your building will look like from the street and how it will look in the streetscape if the sign(s) is approved.
Each Proposed Elevation must be drawn to scale and must clearly show all of the following:
We will make an assessment of your application against all of the relevant planning policy in the Yarra Planning Scheme.
You must submit a written assessment with your application that explains how you think your proposal meets all of the requirements of the relevant planning policy.
For a full overview of the relevant planning policy, you can go online on the Victorian Planning Portal and look at Clause 22.04 (Advertising Signs) and Clause 52.05 (Advertising Signs) in the Yarra Planning Scheme.
Your written assessment must contain as much information about your signs as possible. It may vary with each application but as a minimum it should include the following:
How the design of the sign:
If your property is covered by the Heritage Overlay there is planning policy in the Yarra Planning Scheme that is specifically relevant to a property covered by the heritage overlay in Yarra.
For a full overview of the relevant planning policy, and in addition to looking at policy at Clause 22.04 (Advertising Signs) and Clause 52.05 (Advertising Signs), you can go online on the Victorian Planning Portal and look at Clause 43.01 (Heritage) in the Yarra Planning Scheme.
If you're applying for a planning permit for signage you must include the following with your application:
A Proposed Floor Plan is a plan (drawing) that clearly shows the position of the building on your property and those your property shares a boundary with, and their uses.
Your Proposed Floor Plan(s) must be drawn to scale and must clearly show all of the following:
On each property immediately next to your property (that you share a boundary with), label:
On your property label:
A Proposed Elevation is a drawing that clearly shows what your building will look like if the sign(s) is approved.
You will need to lodge several Proposed Elevation to show what your property will look like from each side (i.e. north, south, east and west). In other words what your building will look like from the street, from the rear fence line / laneway, and from both sides.
For example: the front elevation would show what your building will look like from the street and how it will look in the streetscape if the sign(s) is approved.
Each Proposed Elevation must be drawn to scale and must clearly show all of the following:
We will make an assessment of your application against all of the relevant planning policy in the Yarra Planning Scheme.
You must submit a written assessment with your application that explains how you think your proposal meets all of the requirements of the relevant planning policy.
For a full overview of the relevant planning policy, you can go online on the Victorian Planning Portal and look at Clause 22.04 (Advertising Signs) and Clause 52.05 (Advertising Signs) in the Yarra Planning Scheme.
Your written assessment must contain as much information about your signs as possible. It may vary with each application but as a minimum it should include the following:
How the design of the sign:
If your property is covered by the Heritage Overlay there is planning policy in the Yarra Planning Scheme that is specifically relevant to a property covered by the heritage overlay in Yarra.
For a full overview of the relevant planning policy, and in addition to looking at policy at Clause 22.04 (Advertising Signs) and Clause 52.05 (Advertising Signs), you can go online on the Victorian Planning Portal and look at Clause 43.01 (Heritage) in the Yarra Planning Scheme.
There are several planning policies in the Yarra Planning Scheme that can control building height on a property.
Firstly, you need to find out what planning controls apply to a property, and you can do this by obtaining a planning property report from the following websites:
Once you know the planning controls on a property you will be informed about whether planning policy has placed any height restrictions on it.
For example: if a property is located in a Neighbourhood Residential Zone (NRZ) the planning policy in the zone for ‘maximum building height requirement for a dwelling or residential building’ cannot exceed the maximum building height specified in a schedule to the zone, or, contain more than the maximum number of storeys specified in a schedule to the zone.
If no maximum building height or maximum number of storeys is specified in a schedule to this zone, the building height must not exceed 9 metres, and, the building must not contain more than 2 storeys at any point.
For further assistance, you can contact us by:
We will respond to your request within 5 business days.
There are several planning policies in the Yarra Planning Scheme that can control building height on a property.
Firstly, you need to find out what planning controls apply to a property, and you can do this by obtaining a planning property report from the following websites:
Once you know the planning controls on a property you will be informed about whether planning policy has placed any height restrictions on it.
For example: if a property is located in a Neighbourhood Residential Zone (NRZ) the planning policy in the zone for ‘maximum building height requirement for a dwelling or residential building’ cannot exceed the maximum building height specified in a schedule to the zone, or, contain more than the maximum number of storeys specified in a schedule to the zone.
If no maximum building height or maximum number of storeys is specified in a schedule to this zone, the building height must not exceed 9 metres, and, the building must not contain more than 2 storeys at any point.
For further assistance, you can contact us by:
We will respond to your request within 5 business days.
You can lodge a request to obtain copies of a planning permit or endorsed plans for a property by submitting a request on this page:
Find out how to access a closed planning file
You can lodge a request to obtain copies of a planning permit or endorsed plans for a property by submitting a request on this page:
Find out how to access a closed planning file
If you require a planning permit to use land to sell or consume liquor, you must lodge an application to Council.
To assist you determine whether or not you need a planning permit, there is planning policy in the Yarra Planning Scheme that is specifically relevant to a licensed premises.
For a full overview of the relevant planning policy, you can go online on the Victorian Planning Portal and look at Clause 52.27 (Licensed Premises) and Clause 22.09 (Licensed Premises) in the Yarra Planning Scheme.
You must apply for a liquor licence through the Liquor Control Victoria (LCV) website.
If you require a planning permit to use land to sell or consume liquor, you must lodge an application to Council.
To assist you determine whether or not you need a planning permit, there is planning policy in the Yarra Planning Scheme that is specifically relevant to a licensed premises.
For a full overview of the relevant planning policy, you can go online on the Victorian Planning Portal and look at Clause 52.27 (Licensed Premises) and Clause 22.09 (Licensed Premises) in the Yarra Planning Scheme.
You must apply for a liquor licence through the Liquor Control Victoria (LCV) website.
If you need to apply for a planning permit for the sale and consumption of liquor you must include the following in your application:
A Site Analysis Plan is a plan (drawing) that clearly shows the position of the building on your property and those your property shares a boundary with, and their uses.
Your Site Analysis Plan must be drawn to scale and must clearly show all of the following:
On your property label:
A Proposed Floor Plan is a drawing that clearly shows the position of the building on your property.
Your Proposed Floor Plan(s) must be drawn to scale and must clearly show all of the following:
On your property label:
We will make their assessment of your application against all of the relevant planning policy in the Yarra Planning Scheme, so you must submit a written assessment with your application that explains how you think your proposal meets all of the requirements of the relevant planning policy.
For a full overview of the relevant planning policy, you can go online on the Victorian Planning Portal and look at Clause 52.27 (Licensed Premises) and Clause 22.09 (Licensed Premises) in the Yarra Planning Scheme.
Your written assessment should contain as much information about your venue as possible. It may vary with each application but as a minimum it should include the following:
A Noise and Amenity Action Plan (NAAP) is a written document that details potential noise and amenity impacts that could result from the granting of the planning permit, and actions that will be undertaken by the operator of the venue in order to reduce these impacts.
You can go online on the Victorian Planning Portal and look at Clause 52.27 (Licensed Premises) and Clause 22.09 (Licensed Premises) in the Yarra Planning Scheme.
These policies explain when a NAAP is, and is not, required (for example, a NAAP is not required for an application for a restaurant (including a café) or for a packaged liquor outlet.
Where a NAAP is required, it should contain as much information about your venue as possible. It may vary with each application but as a minimum it should include the following:
An acoustic report is a written document prepared by a professionally qualified acoustician that details all potential noise sources that could result from the granting of the planning permit, and actions that could be undertaken by the operator of the venue in order to reduce them.
You can go online on the Victorian Planning Portal and look at Clause 52.27 (Licensed Premises) and Clause 22.09 (Licensed Premises) in the Yarra Planning Scheme.
These policies explain when an acoustic report is required. For example, an acoustic report is not required for an application for a packaged liquor outlet and is only sometimes required for a restaurant (including a café).
An accumulative impact assessment is a written document that identifies and addresses the extent to which a proposal for a new or modified licensed premises is likely to contribute to a cumulative impact within an area.
Cumulative impact refers to both positive and negative impacts that can result from clustering a particular land use or type of land use. Potential cumulative impact from a cluster of licensed premises will vary between locations, depending on the mix and number of venues and whether the area is a destination for activities associated with the supply of liquor.
Cumulative impact is a product of the number and type of venues present, the way they are managed, and the capacity of the local area to accommodate those venues.
Practice Note 61
Download Practice Note 61: Licensed Premises: Assessing Cumulative Impact (PDF)
The Practice Note is prepared by the State Government, and explains cumulative impact in relation to licensed premises in the planning system and it provides guidance to assist you as a permit applicant when considering and responding to the potential cumulative impact of your proposal.
If you need to apply for a planning permit for the sale and consumption of liquor you must include the following in your application:
A Site Analysis Plan is a plan (drawing) that clearly shows the position of the building on your property and those your property shares a boundary with, and their uses.
Your Site Analysis Plan must be drawn to scale and must clearly show all of the following:
On your property label:
A Proposed Floor Plan is a drawing that clearly shows the position of the building on your property.
Your Proposed Floor Plan(s) must be drawn to scale and must clearly show all of the following:
On your property label:
We will make their assessment of your application against all of the relevant planning policy in the Yarra Planning Scheme, so you must submit a written assessment with your application that explains how you think your proposal meets all of the requirements of the relevant planning policy.
For a full overview of the relevant planning policy, you can go online on the Victorian Planning Portal and look at Clause 52.27 (Licensed Premises) and Clause 22.09 (Licensed Premises) in the Yarra Planning Scheme.
Your written assessment should contain as much information about your venue as possible. It may vary with each application but as a minimum it should include the following:
A Noise and Amenity Action Plan (NAAP) is a written document that details potential noise and amenity impacts that could result from the granting of the planning permit, and actions that will be undertaken by the operator of the venue in order to reduce these impacts.
You can go online on the Victorian Planning Portal and look at Clause 52.27 (Licensed Premises) and Clause 22.09 (Licensed Premises) in the Yarra Planning Scheme.
These policies explain when a NAAP is, and is not, required (for example, a NAAP is not required for an application for a restaurant (including a café) or for a packaged liquor outlet.
Where a NAAP is required, it should contain as much information about your venue as possible. It may vary with each application but as a minimum it should include the following:
An acoustic report is a written document prepared by a professionally qualified acoustician that details all potential noise sources that could result from the granting of the planning permit, and actions that could be undertaken by the operator of the venue in order to reduce them.
You can go online on the Victorian Planning Portal and look at Clause 52.27 (Licensed Premises) and Clause 22.09 (Licensed Premises) in the Yarra Planning Scheme.
These policies explain when an acoustic report is required. For example, an acoustic report is not required for an application for a packaged liquor outlet and is only sometimes required for a restaurant (including a café).
An accumulative impact assessment is a written document that identifies and addresses the extent to which a proposal for a new or modified licensed premises is likely to contribute to a cumulative impact within an area.
Cumulative impact refers to both positive and negative impacts that can result from clustering a particular land use or type of land use. Potential cumulative impact from a cluster of licensed premises will vary between locations, depending on the mix and number of venues and whether the area is a destination for activities associated with the supply of liquor.
Cumulative impact is a product of the number and type of venues present, the way they are managed, and the capacity of the local area to accommodate those venues.
Practice Note 61
Download Practice Note 61: Licensed Premises: Assessing Cumulative Impact (PDF)
The Practice Note is prepared by the State Government, and explains cumulative impact in relation to licensed premises in the planning system and it provides guidance to assist you as a permit applicant when considering and responding to the potential cumulative impact of your proposal.
If you obtain a planning permit from Yarra City Council and a licence from Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation (VCGLR), before you commence serving liquor at your venue, you may also need to consider the following permits:
If you wish to place anything on the footpath at the front of your property, such as tables, chairs, umbrellas and signs, you will need to apply for a Footpath Trading Licence (because the planning permit does not include the footpath).
The safety and health regulations will depend on the type of business you are running and if you are serving food.
Find more information about food and safety.
If you are changing the ‘class’ the category/type of the building occupancy/use, then you will need to apply for a building permit before you commence the use.
If you obtain a planning permit from Yarra City Council and a licence from Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation (VCGLR), before you commence serving liquor at your venue, you may also need to consider the following permits:
If you wish to place anything on the footpath at the front of your property, such as tables, chairs, umbrellas and signs, you will need to apply for a Footpath Trading Licence (because the planning permit does not include the footpath).
The safety and health regulations will depend on the type of business you are running and if you are serving food.
Find more information about food and safety.
If you are changing the ‘class’ the category/type of the building occupancy/use, then you will need to apply for a building permit before you commence the use.
Zones and Overlays provide information on how the land may be used. They determine what kind of development may be appropriate based on the unique attributes that apply to the land and its surrounds.
Zones are applied to all land in the municipality. Zones are selected from a suite of Zones provided in the Victoria Planning Provisions which allocate land for different uses, such as residential, industrial or business.
Each Zone has a set of requirements outlining what that land can and can’t be used for and what buildings and works on that land require a planning permit.
These are described as:
In some Zones it is possible for some Planning Schemes to have local provisions in order to better reflect local circumstances.
An Overlay is a tool that highlights the unique attributes of a property, and therefore the planning considerations that apply. Overlays are selected from the Victoria Planning Provisions and relate to specific issues such as heritage significance, environmental significance or flood risk.
For example: the City of Yarra is an older municipality, so a high percentage of the municipality is covered by a heritage overlay. This overlay indicates that the buildings in the overlay contribute to the historical and/ or cultural significance of the area.
Generally overlays apply to a single issue, such as heritage, flooding, or an environmental concern. It is not uncommon for a property or an area to be covered by multiple overlays.
For example, a group of houses that are located next to the Yarra River may be covered by a heritage overlay and a land subject to inundation overlay. This signifies that the area is historically significant and that there is also a risk of flooding.
Having these two overlays may result in development on the property or in the area being more restricted, as a proposal must adhere to set heritage guidelines in order to meet the heritage overlay control, or a building may need to be carefully designed in order to meet the flooding overlay.
Zones and Overlays provide information on how the land may be used. They determine what kind of development may be appropriate based on the unique attributes that apply to the land and its surrounds.
Zones are applied to all land in the municipality. Zones are selected from a suite of Zones provided in the Victoria Planning Provisions which allocate land for different uses, such as residential, industrial or business.
Each Zone has a set of requirements outlining what that land can and can’t be used for and what buildings and works on that land require a planning permit.
These are described as:
In some Zones it is possible for some Planning Schemes to have local provisions in order to better reflect local circumstances.
An Overlay is a tool that highlights the unique attributes of a property, and therefore the planning considerations that apply. Overlays are selected from the Victoria Planning Provisions and relate to specific issues such as heritage significance, environmental significance or flood risk.
For example: the City of Yarra is an older municipality, so a high percentage of the municipality is covered by a heritage overlay. This overlay indicates that the buildings in the overlay contribute to the historical and/ or cultural significance of the area.
Generally overlays apply to a single issue, such as heritage, flooding, or an environmental concern. It is not uncommon for a property or an area to be covered by multiple overlays.
For example, a group of houses that are located next to the Yarra River may be covered by a heritage overlay and a land subject to inundation overlay. This signifies that the area is historically significant and that there is also a risk of flooding.
Having these two overlays may result in development on the property or in the area being more restricted, as a proposal must adhere to set heritage guidelines in order to meet the heritage overlay control, or a building may need to be carefully designed in order to meet the flooding overlay.
The Victoria Planning Provisions and all Victoria Planning Schemes (including ordinance, maps, histories, amendments and incorporated documents) is available at the Victorian Planning Portal.
To find out what zone applies to your property, you can visit the following websites:
Both websites will provide you with instructions to follow.
The Victoria Planning Provisions and all Victoria Planning Schemes (including ordinance, maps, histories, amendments and incorporated documents) is available at the Victorian Planning Portal.
To find out what zone applies to your property, you can visit the following websites:
Both websites will provide you with instructions to follow.
To find out what overlays, if any, apply to your property, you can visit the following websites:
Both websites will provide you with instructions to follow.
To find out what overlays, if any, apply to your property, you can visit the following websites:
Both websites will provide you with instructions to follow.
The City of Yarra is an older municipality and so a high percentage of the municipality is covered by a Heritage Overlay.
Read more about Heritage Overlays and Gradings.
Read more about Heritage Overlays and Solar Panels
Visit the Heritage Victoria website to find out if your property is listed on Victoria's Heritage Register.
The City of Yarra is an older municipality and so a high percentage of the municipality is covered by a Heritage Overlay.
Read more about Heritage Overlays and Gradings.
Read more about Heritage Overlays and Solar Panels
Visit the Heritage Victoria website to find out if your property is listed on Victoria's Heritage Register.
An environmental audit overlay (EAO) is applied to any land known, identified or reasonably suspected of being contaminated.
The City of Yarra has a proud industrial history that spans more than 100 years. As land uses change, the community, Council and other levels of government often have to deal with issues caused by the past industrial activities on the land, one of them being soil contamination.
In areas where an environmental audit overlay applies, an environmental audit may need to be completed before the site can be developed for certain uses including residential. Depending on the results of the audit, the site may also need to be treated.
The Victoria Planning Provisions and the Yarra Planning Scheme is available on the Victorian Planning Portal.
There is planning policy in the Yarra Planning Scheme that is specifically relevant to a property covered by the environmental audit overlay.
For more information on this overlay and soil contamination, you can also visit the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) website.
An environmental audit overlay (EAO) is applied to any land known, identified or reasonably suspected of being contaminated.
The City of Yarra has a proud industrial history that spans more than 100 years. As land uses change, the community, Council and other levels of government often have to deal with issues caused by the past industrial activities on the land, one of them being soil contamination.
In areas where an environmental audit overlay applies, an environmental audit may need to be completed before the site can be developed for certain uses including residential. Depending on the results of the audit, the site may also need to be treated.
The Victoria Planning Provisions and the Yarra Planning Scheme is available on the Victorian Planning Portal.
There is planning policy in the Yarra Planning Scheme that is specifically relevant to a property covered by the environmental audit overlay.
For more information on this overlay and soil contamination, you can also visit the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) website.
A land subject to inundation overlay (LSIO) is applied to areas that are not part of the primary floodway, but flood storage or flood fringe areas affected by the ‘1 in 100 year flood’.
There are various land subject to inundation overlays applied around the Yarra River.
This overlay is applied by the relevant water authority, which in Yarra is Melbourne Water, and it aims to ensure that development on a property does not interfere with the free passage of floodwaters across the property, and will not cause any significant rise in flood level or increase the rate at which the water flows.
For more information on this you can visit the Melbourne Water website.
A land subject to inundation overlay (LSIO) is applied to areas that are not part of the primary floodway, but flood storage or flood fringe areas affected by the ‘1 in 100 year flood’.
There are various land subject to inundation overlays applied around the Yarra River.
This overlay is applied by the relevant water authority, which in Yarra is Melbourne Water, and it aims to ensure that development on a property does not interfere with the free passage of floodwaters across the property, and will not cause any significant rise in flood level or increase the rate at which the water flows.
For more information on this you can visit the Melbourne Water website.
The special building overlay (SBO) applies to urban land which is subject to stormwater flooding.
Stormwater is defined in the Yarra Planning Scheme as the net increase in run-off from urban development due to water not being able to seep into the ground because of impervious surfaces such as roofs and roads.
If your property is covered by the SBO, you may be required to obtain a planning permit for works that you otherwise would not need a planning permit for.
It is Council’s way of helping you ensure that what you do on your property is appropriate and safe for the special conditions that apply to it.
The special building overlay (SBO) applies to urban land which is subject to stormwater flooding.
Stormwater is defined in the Yarra Planning Scheme as the net increase in run-off from urban development due to water not being able to seep into the ground because of impervious surfaces such as roofs and roads.
If your property is covered by the SBO, you may be required to obtain a planning permit for works that you otherwise would not need a planning permit for.
It is Council’s way of helping you ensure that what you do on your property is appropriate and safe for the special conditions that apply to it.
