Applying for a planning permit or amending a permit

Planning Permits

Step 1.Before you apply

Make sure you are clear in what you are proposing. You will be required to provide detailed plans and outline of what your proposal is for any application.

Step 2.Find zones and overlays on your property

The planning report search provides you with a free and easy summary of planning information relating to your property.

Search your street address

Step 3.Get general pre-application advice

We recommend you obtain pre-application advice before applying for a planning permit. This could include an email with feedback or a formal pre-application meeting.

In the pre-application meeting, we will:

  • Discuss if your application meets the requirements of the Yarriambiack Planning Scheme.
  • Discuss key issues with your proposal.
  • Explain the application process.
  • Provide advice on what information you will need to support your application.

We will require a concept plan of your proposal to review and discuss at the meeting. To avoid delays, we strongly recommend you submit the plan at the time of booking. You can do this by email or our online form:

Request for planning advice

Step 4.Gather your application documents

For all Planning Permit applications, you will need to:

  • Complete the planning permit application form.
    • Obtain a recent Certificate of Title, Title Plan, and any other Instrument that applies to the land which cannot be more than three months old (Landata can be used to obtain these documents for a fee).
  • A covering letter explaining your proposal which should include all details regarding the use and/or development of the land.
  • A fully dimensioned development plans drawn at a scale of 1:100 or 1:200 which include, as appropriate:
    • The boundaries and dimensions of the site
    • Adjoining roads
    • Elevations including colour and materials of all buildings and works
    • Driveways and vehicle parking and loading areas
    • Setbacks of adjoining buildings where setback reduction is sought
    • The layout of existing and proposed buildings and works identifying the intended use of the components of the building.

Step 5.Submit the application and documents

Lodge and track your application online

If you have difficulties using the online portal, you can lodge your application and supporting documents by emailing them to planning@yarriambiack.vic.gov.au

Step 6.Pay the assessment fee

There is a fee for applying for a Planning Permit, as set by Victoria Government regulations.

Fees can be paid online, over the phone, via cheque, or in person at Council’s office at 34 Lyle Street, Warracknabeal.

Fees can be found in the Planning Department's Fees and Charges Schedule.

Please note that if you are applying for a number of fee items (for example construction of three dwellings and subdivision, or construction of an industrial building and removal of native vegetation) then a composite fee will apply. Therefore, it is encouraged to contact Council’s Planning Department.

Step 7.Your application is reviewed

We will conduct an initial planning assessment and may arrange an inspection of the property.

If we find that your application is missing information, we will send you a written request for further information (RFI).

You must provide additional information before the date listed on your RFI letter. We will not progress your application until the requested information is received.

Step 8.Public advertising and referrals

Where required, your application will be advertised to nearby affected property owners and occupiers for a minimum of 14 days. Public notice is for a minimum of 14 days, and Council undertakes the public notice process. 

Public notice may include:

  • Sending a letter to nearby property owners and occupiers.
  • Putting a Notice of an Application for a Planning Permit in the local newspaper.
  • Putting a Notice of an Application for a Planning Permit on the land

Your application may also need to be referred to internal Council Departments or external referral authorities which can take up to 28 days. 

Step 9.Your application is assessed

Once the public notice period has concluded and/or a response has been received from a referral authority, we can then assess your application.

If objections have been submitted to us, the application will be referred to a Council Meeting for a decision.

Step 10.Permit decision is made

There are three types of decisions we can make based on your application. We can:

  • Issue a Permit (if there are no objections).
  • Issue a Notice of Decision to Grant a Permit (if objections have been received but Council considers that the proposal is acceptable).
  • Refuse to Grant a Permit.

Your planning permit is likely to contain conditions that set out how development or a particular use of a parcel of land must proceed and continue. Use and developments can only begin and continue if all conditions on the permit are met.

After your permit has been issued, you can apply to amend any plans, conditions, development or use included in your permit. You can also request an extension of time.

VicSmart Permits

Step 1.Before you apply

Make sure you are clear in what you are proposing. You will be required to provide detailed plans and outline of what your proposal is for any application.

Step 2.Find zones and overlays on your property

The planning report search provides you with a free and easy summary of planning information relating to your property.

Search your street address

Step 3.Get general pre-application advice

We recommend you obtain pre-application advice before applying for a planning permit. This could include an email with feedback or a formal pre-application meeting.

In the pre-application meeting, we will:

  • Discuss if your application meets the requirements of the Yarriambiack Planning Scheme.
  • Discuss key issues with your proposal.
  • Explain the application process.
  • Provide advice on what information you will need to support your application.

We will require a concept plan of your proposal to review and discuss at the meeting. To avoid delays, we strongly recommend you submit the plan at the time of booking. You can do this by email or our online form:

Request for planning advice

Step 4.Gather your application documents

For all Planning Permit applications, you will need to:

  • Complete the planning permit application form.
    • Obtain a recent Certificate of Title, Title Plan, and any other Instrument that applies to the land which cannot be more than three months old (Landata can be used to obtain these documents for a fee).
  • A covering letter explaining your proposal which should include all details regarding the use and/or development of the land.
  • A fully dimensioned development plans drawn at a scale of 1:100 or 1:200 which include, as appropriate:
    • The boundaries and dimensions of the site
    • Adjoining roads
    • Elevations including colour and materials of all buildings and works
    • Driveways and vehicle parking and loading areas
    • Setbacks of adjoining buildings where setback reduction is sought
    • The layout of existing and proposed buildings and works identifying the intended use of the components of the building.

Step 5.Apply for a VicSmart Permit

Depending on your project, you may be able to apply for a VicSmart permit which is a fast-tracked assessment process for straightforward planning permit applications.

VicSmart is a fast-tracked process for straightforward planning applications.

These applications are not advertised to nearby properties and can be decided within 10 business days.

Some types of applications have a reduced fee.

Some of the following projects may be assessable under the VicSmart system depending on zoning and applicable overlays:

  • minor subdivision
  • constructing a front fence
  • building works on an outbuilding such as carports, garages, pergolas, verandahs, decks, sheds or similar structure
  • extend a dwelling or make structural changes to a dwelling
  • remove, destroy or lop one tree
  • small advertising signs
  • car parking reductions.

For more information, visit the Victorian Government’s Applicant’s Guide.

Submit the application and documents

Lodge and track your application online

If you have difficulties using the online portal, you can lodge your application and supporting documents by emailing them to planning@yarriambiack.vic.gov.au

Step 6.Pay the assessment fee

There is a fee for applying for a Planning Permit, as set by Victoria Government regulations.

Fees can be paid online, over the phone, via cheque, or in person at Council’s office at 34 Lyle Street, Warracknabeal.

Fees can be found in the Planning Department's Fees and Charges Schedule.

Step 7.Your application is reviewed

We will conduct an initial planning assessment and may arrange an inspection of the property.

If we find that your application is missing information, we will send you a written request for further information (RFI).

You must provide additional information before the date listed on your RFI letter. We will not progress your application until the requested information is received.

Step 8.Your application is assessed

Once all the correct documentation and information has been submitted, we can assess your application.

Step 9.Permit decision is made

There are two types of decisions we can make based on a VicSmart application. We can:

  • Issue a Permit
  • Refuse to Grant a Permit.

Your planning permit is likely to contain conditions that set out how development or a particular use of a parcel of land must proceed and continue. Use and developments can only begin and continue if all conditions on the permit are met.

After your permit has been issued, you can apply to amend any plans, conditions, development or use included in your permit. You can also request an extension of time.