How to contact the council about whether you need a planning permit

If in doubt about whether you need a planning permit, ask a Town Planner or ask the relevant local council if the use or development you are proposing requires a planning permit for a particular address. You can do this over the phone or in person.

To find out if a project needs a planning permit, or what the permit requirements are:

1. 1. Find out who the relevant council is
   2. Get the local council contact details 
   3. Contact the council and speak to the Planning Department. They will want to know the address and details about what is proposed. They’ll advise you on planning controls including:
      • What zone the property is in
      • If any overlays apply to the property
   4. Ask the council:
      • Do they provide and checklists of application information requirements?
      • Is all the information on the checklist required?
      • What fee is payable for a permit decision?
   5. If you want written confirmation, the council may do this. They usually charge a fee, and it can take a week or two.

You can then use the information they provide as well as the planning application information provided by the State government to assist you to do your planning permit application or contact VSPPAS.

If you want written advice from a Town Planning Consultant regarding whether a proposal needs a planning permit or is exempt, or what the planning application requirements are if you need a permit, then you are ready to start using Victorian Smart Planning – Permit Application Services:

It’s the simplest way to submit a planning permit application.

To find out more about dealing with a council directly, from contact details to how a council accepts applications and fees, type the council’s name below: