Common Application Types

You will need to obtain a recent copy of the Certificate of Title from the Land Titles Office to determine if your property is affected by a covenant.

A Planning Permit is required to change or delete a covenant.

Prior to lodging an application you should ensure you have provided all of the information required by the Covenant Checklist Checklist.

Lodge an application
You can lodge a Planning Permit application and pay the application fee in the following ways:

Online
Applications can be lodged through our [eServices] portal.

In person
Applications can be lodged at our Planning Department counter located on Level 1, 274 Gower Street, Preston between the hours of 8:45am and 4:45pm, Monday to Friday (except public holidays).

By post
Applications, along with the relevant application fee can be lodged by mail to:
Statutory Planning Unit
Darebin City Council
PO Box 91
Preston, Victoria, 3072

Lots under 300 square metres
A Planning Permit may be required to construct or extend a building or fence, or make alterations to a house on a property with a lot of less than 300 square metres.

To establish if you require a planning permit you obtain a recent copy of your Certificate of Title from the Land Titles Office and contact our Planning Department on 8470 8850 between the hours of 8:45am – 4:45pm, Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays).

Environmentally Sustainable Design
Prior to lodging your application you should ensure you have provided all of the information required by the Residential Development checklist.

Heritage Overlay
A Planning Permit may be required to demolish, construct or extend a building or fence, or make alterations to a building on land affected by a Heritage Overlay. Prior to lodging your application you are encouraged to discuss your proposal with Council’s Heritage Advisor to ensure your development respects the heritage significance of the area or building. 

Click here for more information about heritage in Darebin, including heritage studies and site information, permit exemptions and guidelines for development. 

Pre Application Meeting
Prior to lodging your application you are encouraged to discuss your proposal with our Heritage Advisor to ensure your development respects the heritage significance of the area or building. This will help to ensure a good design outcome and may shorten the time it will take for us to make a decision on your application.

To arrange a pre-application meeting with our Heritage Advisor please contact the Planning Department on 8470 8850 between the hours of 8:45am – 4:45pm, Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays).

Flooding
A Planning Permit may be required to construct or extend a building or fence, or make alterations to a building on land that may be affected by flooding. These areas are generally affected by a Special Building Overlay or Land Subject to Inundation Overlay.

A permit is not required under the Special Building Overlay or Land Subject to Inundation Overlay for any buildings, works, fences or road-works where Melbourne Water has agreed in writing that the flow path is not obstructed. You should contact Melbourne Water prior to lodging your application.

Prior to lodging your application
Prior to lodging an application you should ensure you have provided all of the information required by the flood prone areas checklist.

Development Contributions
If you are constructing a new house you may be required to pay a development contribution before a Building Permit is issued.

You should contact us to establish if you are required to pay a development contribution.

Further Information:
Planning Department
Phone 8470 8850
Monday-Friday 8:45am–4:45pm

Darebin Planning Scheme
In general the Darebin Planning Scheme encourages the construction of additional houses within existing residential areas, usually resulting in more than one house on a property. However, careful consideration needs to be made in terms of neighbourhood character, impacts to the surrounding properties and the amenity for the future occupants of the new houses. 

How many units can I put on my land?
There is no fixed answer to this question as it depends on a number of factors including but not limited to:

• Scale of the development
• How close the land is to local services
• Size of the land
• Context of neighbouring properties (i.e. the location of significant trees, open space; and compliance or otherwise with relevant planning controls)

All these factors combined would determine whether a site is suitable for multiple units.

It is recommended that any plans for more than one unit on a property be discussed with a private planning consultant or building designer/architect, neighbours and our Planning Department prior to lodging an application. In all cases, a planning permit is required to build multiple units on land.

Single dwelling covenants
Your property may be affected by a restriction that is commonly referred to as a ‘single dwelling covenant’. A single dwelling covenant usually does not allow more than one house to be constructed on a property.

We cannot issue a Planning Permit for more than one house on a property if it is affected by a single dwelling covenant. There are additional types of covenants that may also affect your proposal.

You will need to obtain a recent copy of the Certificate of Title from the Land Titles Office to determine if your property is affected by a covenant.

A Planning Permit is required to change or delete a covenant.

The Restrictive Covenants information sheet provides information about restrictive covenants and how to vary or remove covenants from a Certificate of Title. This checklist details the information that is required for applications for a planning permit to vary or remove a restrictive covenant.

Heritage Overlay
Your property may be affected by a Heritage Overlay, which can affect your ability to demolish buildings and the design and scale of any new construction. Prior to lodging your application you should discuss your proposal with Council’s Heritage Advisor to ensure your proposal respects the heritage significance of the area or building. 

Pre Application Meeting
Pre-application meetings are for people who intend to lodge a planning permit application.  You can meet with our planning staff prior to lodgement for advice and assistance in the preliminary stages of the planning and design process.

Benefits of pre-application meetings
Pre-application meetings are helpful in identifying key issues that may be important to the future use of the property. The intention of the meeting is to conduct an open and productive forum whereby all parties work towards a high quality outcome.  Pre-application meetings should also give some level of certainty about the outcome of the application to ensure a smoother and more efficient process of the application.

Advice given in a pre-application meeting
Pre-application meetings are not able to investigate every detail covered through the formal assessment process once the application is lodged. Given the time available and the level of detail it is impossible to give a thorough assessment at this stage. We give advice in good faith and we are not bound in any future decisions.

Types of applications appropriate for a pre-application meeting
Any type of unit development is appropriate for pre-application meetings. However, we strongly encourage pre-application meetings for:

• 5 or more houses
• Apartments buildings
• Mixed use buildings

Topics discussed in a pre-application meeting
At the meeting you can discuss:

• Initial concepts
• Detailed design aspects
• Any other requirements 

Our planning officers will give their professional opinion on the proposal and provide guidance where possible. However, it must be remembered that the meeting is not intended to pre-empt the outcome of the application. Once the planning application is lodged it will need to undergo a thorough assessment against the provisions of the Darebin Planning Scheme. 

Preparing for a pre-application meeting
Preparation is essential. The quality of advice given depends on the level of detail and accuracy of the information presented to the planner. It is essential the you research the proposal and identify relevant issues to raise at the meeting.

You should provide as much detail as possible about the proposal. The following checklist may be of assistance.

• A full copy of title that is no more than three months old.
• Photographs of the site and the surrounding area in particular the neighbouring adjacent properties and the streetscape and any significantly sized vegetation.

A neighbourhood and site description plan showing:

• Existing buildings on site
• Location of buildings on at least four adjoining properties (including habitable room windows and private open space areas).
• A concept plan at 1:100 showing detail such as the proposed building footprint at all storeys, window placement and the internal layout of all buildings.

Concept plan including the following:

• Earthworks – any cut and fill and possible locations for retaining walls.
• Location of existing vegetation.
• Location of car parking facilities and vehicle access arrangements.
• Location of crossovers existing and proposed crossovers.
• Concept design of elevations at 1:100.

It is highly recommended that you attend a pre-application meeting with all of the above information required to give a reasonable understanding of the proposal by the planner. This will assist the planner to give more accurate and useful advice for your project. The above documentation may require the services of a consultant to assist in their preparation and to facilitate the application process. 

It is intended that the planner that you have the pre-application meeting with will manage the application once it is lodged; however, this is not always guaranteed due to staff movement or workloads.

Location of pre-application meetings
Pre-application meetings are held at the Darebin City Council at 274 Gower Street, Preston. A meeting will need to be booked ahead of time to ensure the availability of a planner and meeting room. This can be made by contacting the Planning Department on 8470 8850 between the hours of 8:45am – 4:45pm, Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays).

Development Contributions
If you are constructing or extending a commercial or industrial building you may be required to pay a development contribution to the City of Darebin before a Building Permit is issued. The Development Contribution will be invoiced after a Planning Permit has been issued for the development.

Subdivision is the process of splitting land or a building into a number of lots which can then be sold separately as individual titles. Subdivision can also include re-aligning or altering title boundaries even if the number of lots does not change. 

We strongly encourage you to apply for a permit to develop your land before making an application to subdivide. Once the Development Permit is obtained, the subdivision should be a straightforward process which creates lot boundaries to accord with the approved development.

We discourage ‘vacant lot’ or ‘backyard’ subdivision where the subdivision is not linked to a development proposal. ‘Vacant’ land subdivisions must be assessed against Clause 56 of the Darebin Planning Scheme. These applications are often more complex and time consuming than those where a development permit has been obtained.

How to subdivide your property

Step 1 - Apply for a planning permit to subdivide
The permit provides ‘in principle’ support for the subdivision under the Planning and Environment Act 1987 and the Darebin Planning Scheme. The permit contains conditions (set by Council and the servicing authorities) which must be met before we approve the final subdivision.

Step 2 - Apply for and obtain a certified Plan of Subdivision
The certified plan is the result of a comprehensive survey and must be prepared by a licensed land surveyor. The plan is signed by Council when the relevant permit conditions have been satisfied. The servicing authorities must also agree to certification under the Subdivision Act 1988. 

Step 3 - Obtain a Statement of Compliance (SOC)
Council signs the SOC once all the requirements made by Council and the servicing authorities have been satisfied. By signing the SOC, Council indicates that the subdivision is ready for lodgement at Land Victoria.

Step 4 - Lodge your plans with the Land Registry
Lodge the certified plan, the Statement of Compliance, street numbering advice and any additional documents prepared by your land surveyor with the Land Registry. Lodgement is usually undertaken by your solicitor or conveyancer. This process will allow the new titles for each Lot to be registered.

Other Applications
Other applications handled by our Subdivision Planner include:

• Commercial and industrial subdivision
• The creation, variation or removal of easements
• The creation, variation or removal of a Restrictive Covenant
• Consolidation of land

 Lodging your application

1. Online - Applications for subdivision are usually lodged online by the relevant land surveyor through SPEAR (Surveying and Planning through Electronic Applications and Referrals). This is our preferred method of lodgement of subdivision applications.
2. In person - Applications can be lodged at Planning Department counter located on Level 1, 274 Gower Street, Preston between the hours of 8:45am and 4:45pm, Monday to Friday (except public holidays).
3. By mail - Applications, along with the relevant application fee can be lodged by mail to:

Statutory Planning Unit
Darebin City Council
PO Box 91
PRESTON VIC 3072

Obtaining Titles and Registering Subdivisions
Once we have approved a subdivision, it must be registered with the Titles Office (Land Registry) or the new titles for your Lots will not be issued.

Owners Corporations
For comprehensive information related to Owners Corporations, Body Corporates and buying and selling property contact:
Consumer Affairs Victoria 
Ph: 1300 55 81 81

Removal of Trees
A planning permit may be required to prune or remove vegetation if it is on land affected by a Vegetation Protection Overlay, Environmental Significance Overlay, or Heritage Overlay or if the vegetation is native to Victoria.

To establish if you require a planning permit you should contact us.

Further Information
Planning Department
Phone 8470 8850
Monday-Friday 8:45am–4:45pm

If you cannot satisfy the Home Occupation requirements you should you should contact the Planning Department on 8470 8850 between the hours of 8:45am – 4:45pm, Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays).

The Home Occupation information sheet details the requirements of a home occupation and what information is required to lodge an application for a planning permit for a home occupation.

To establish if you require a planning permit you should contact the Planning Department on 8470 8850 between the hours of 8:45am – 4:45pm, Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays). In determining if a planning permit should be issued for the new business, we may take the following into consideration:

• If the proposed business is suitable for the location;
• If the impacts on the surrounding and nearby properties are reasonable; and
• If sufficient car parking and bicycle facilities have been provided.

Pre-application meeting
Pre-application meetings are for people who intend to lodge a planning permit application.  You can meet with our planning staff prior to lodgement for advice and assistance in the preliminary stages of the planning and design process.

Benefits of pre- application meetings
Pre-application meetings are helpful in identifying key issues that may be important to the future use of the property. The intention of the meeting is to conduct an open and productive forum whereby all parties work towards a high quality outcome.  Pre-application meetings should also give some level of certainty about the outcome of the application to ensure a smoother and more efficient process of the application.

Advice given in a pre- application meeting
Pre-application meetings are not able to investigate every detail covered through a formal assessment process once the application is lodged. Given the time available and the level of detail it is impossible to give a thorough assessment at this stage. We give advice in good faith and we are not bound in any future decisions.

Unsure you need a pre-application meeting
To check if you require a pre-application meeting contact the Planning Department on 8470 8850 between the hours of 8:45am – 4:45pm, Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays).

Pre-application meeting topics
At the meeting you can discuss the following:

• Initial concepts
• Likely impacts on the surrounding area
• Any other requirements 

Our planning officers will give their professional opinion on the proposal and provide guidance where possible.  However, it must be remembered that the meeting is not intended to pre-empt the outcome of the application.  Once the planning application is lodged it will need to undergo a thorough assessment against the provisions of the Darebin Planning Scheme.

Preparing for a pre-application meeting
Preparation is essential!  The quality of advice given depends on the level of detail and accuracy of the information presented to our planner. It is essential the you research the proposal and identify relevant issues to raise at the meeting.

You should provide as much detail as possible about the proposal. The following checklist may be of assistance.

• A full copy of title that is no more than three months old
• Photographs of the site and the surrounding area in particular the neighbouring adjacent properties and the streetscape

A neighbourhood and site description plan showing:

• Existing buildings on site
• Location of buildings on at least four adjoining properties (including habitable room windows and private open space areas)
• Details of the proposed business or industry including:
• The nature of the business or use (i.e. restaurant, food manufacture, shop).
• The days and hours of operation.
• The number of staff
• The expected number of customers
• Likely sources of emissions (i.e. noise and smells).

A concept plan at 1:100 showing detail such as:

• proposed building footprint at all storeys, window placement, the internal layout of all buildings and the location of any car parking
• Concept design of elevations at 1:100

It is highly recommended that you attend a pre-application meeting with all of the above information required to give a reasonable understanding of the proposal by the planner. This will assist the planner to give more accurate and useful advice for your project. The above documentation may require the services of a consultant to assist in their preparation and to facilitate the application process. It is intended that the planner that you have the pre-application meeting with will manage the application once it is lodged; however, this is not always guaranteed due to staff movement or workloads.

Pre-application meetings location
Meetings are held at Darebin City Council, 274 Gower Street Preston.  A meeting will need to be booked ahead of time to ensure the availability of a planner and meeting room. This can be made by contacting the Planning Department on 8470 8850 between the hours of 8:45am – 4:45pm, Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays).

Prior to lodging an application
Prior to lodging an application where a permit is required for the proposed use you should ensure you have provided all of the information required by the Change of use checklist.Prior to lodging an application where a permit is required to reduce the car parking requirements you should ensure you have provided all of the information required by the Car parking checklist.