Local Laws you should know
Discover the most common rules that apply to residents, businesses and visitor without reading the whole Community Local Law.
Common rules
Domestic bins can be placed out up to 24 hours before collection day and should be returned to your property by 12am on collection day.
When not awaiting collection or if bins have been collected, they must be stored on private property.
Residents should ensure bins are:
- not stored on the footpath, road, laneway or Council land unless being placed out for collection
- kept clean and in a sanitary condition
- not overfilled, with lids able to close completely
- not causing an obstruction to pedestrians, vehicles or waste collection services
- used only for their intended waste type
Any waste that spills from a bin should be cleaned up promptly.
Commercial trade waste bins can only be placed out up to 3 hours before collection and must be returned to the property within 3 hours after collection.
Businesses should work with their waste provider to schedule collections during trading hours, where possible, so staff can place bins out and return them promptly. If these timeframes cannot reasonably be met, a permit may be available in exceptional circumstances, subject to conditions that protect accessibility and public space.
Businesses must also keep bins clean, in good condition, with lids closed, and managed so they do not create a nuisance, obstruction or safety risk.
Property owners and occupiers are responsible for keeping their property in a safe, tidy and well-maintained condition.
This includes ensuring the property does not:
- have excessive waste, rubbish or abandoned materials
- contain overgrown grass or weeds
- provide harbourage for vermin
- have noxious or invasive weeds
- contain buildings or structures that are dilapidated, heavily defaced or detract from neighbourhood amenity
Council may take action where the condition of a property affects the appearance, safety or amenity of the surrounding neighbourhood.
Property owners and occupiers are responsible for maintaining trees, shrubs and other vegetation on their property.
Vegetation must not:
- obstruct footpaths, roads or Council land
- interfere with the safe movement of pedestrians, cyclists or vehicles
- block the visibility of traffic signs, intersections or other road users
Trees and plants should be regularly trimmed, this helps keep footpaths, roads and Council land clear from obstructions.
Many activities on Council land require a permit to ensure public spaces remain safe, accessible and enjoyable for everyone.
Common activities that require a permit include:
- outdoor dining furniture
- goods displays
- advertising signs (known as a-frames)
- roadside trading (food trucks)
- busking
- distribution of advertising material
- events and festivals
- filming and photography activities
- political and election signage
- storage of bins
- fundraising activities
- promotional activities
If you're planning an activity on Council land and aren't sure whether a permit is required, it's always best to check with Council before proceeding.
Even if a permit is granted, conditions may apply to protect public safety, accessibility and neighbourhood amenity.
If you'd like to use the footpath outside your business for outdoor dining, a goods display or an advertising sign, you'll need a permit.
Permits help ensure footpaths remain safe, accessible and easy for everyone to use.
When operating under a permit, businesses must:
- maintain a clear path of travel for pedestrians
- ensure accessibility requirements are met at all times
- keep furniture, signs and displays within the approved permit area
- operate in accordance with any permit conditions
Note: Permits will not be granted where accessibility requirements or minimum pedestrian clearances cannot be achieved.
Trailers, caravans and similar equipment cannot be left on a road or Council land for extended periods unless they are attached to a registered vehicle.
Trailers, caravans and other equipment that are not attached to a registered vehicle cannot be left on a road, footpath or Council land for more than one hour.
These requirements help:
- keep roads and footpaths safe
- maintain visibility for pedestrians and drivers
- ensure public spaces and parking are available for everyone
If you need somewhere to keep a trailer, caravan or similar equipment long-term, you will need to store it on private property or using a commercial storage facility.
Asset Protection Permits
If your building project requires a building permit, you'll generally need to obtain an asset protection permit from Council before work starts.
An Asset Protection Permit helps protect Council assets, such as:
- footpaths
- roads
- kerbs
- street trees
- vehicle crossings
Council may also require a bond before works commence. The bond is used to cover the cost of repairing any damage caused to Council assets during the project.
Building work hours
Building works can impact neighbours and the surrounding area, so restrictions apply to when works can occur.
Building works are generally permitted:
- 7am to 6pm Monday to Friday
- 9am to 3pm Saturdays
Building works are not permitted on Sundays, Good Friday, Anzac Day or Christmas Day.
If you're out with your dog or another animal in a public place, you must carry a bag or other suitable item to clean up animal waste.
If your animal leaves waste on a road, footpath, park or other public place, you must collect and dispose of it immediately.
There are limits the number of animals that can be kept on a property without a permit.
| Type of Animal | Flat or Unit (Maximum Allowed) | Land Other Than Flat or Unit (Maximum Allowed) |
| Dogs (Over 3 Months of Age) | 2 | 2 |
| Cats (Over 3 Months of Age) | 2 | 2 |
| Chickens | 0 | 5 |
| Domestic Birds (Caged & Non-Poultry) | 2 | 5 |
| Ferrets | 2 | 5 |
| Reptiles | 2 | 5 |
| Rabbits | 2 | 5 |
| Guinea Pigs | 2 | 5 |
| Rates or Mice (Combined) | 2 | 5 |
| Poultry (Other than Chickens) | 0 | 0 |
| Roosters | 0 | 0 |
| Farm Animals | 0 | 0 |
Animal owners must also:
- keep animal enclosures clean and sanitary
- properly dispose of manure and animal waste
- store animal feed so it does not attract vermin
- ensure the keeping of animals does not negatively affect neighbouring properties
Building works often impact public spaces. If your project requires the use of a road, footpath or other Council land, you may need a permit from Council before work starts.
A permit is commonly required for:
- placing a skip bin on a road
- storing building materials on Council land
- occupying a footpath during works
- placing equipment, hoardings or site amenities on public land
These requirements help keep public spaces safe, accessible and available for everyone.
Note: If your building project requires a building permit, you may also need an Asset Protection Permit before works commence.
Need a permit? Visit Council's Permits and Consents page to learn more about permit requirements and how to apply.
Abandoned and unregistered vehicles left on roads for extended periods may be investigated by Council and, in some circumstances, impounded.
Abandoned vehicles
A vehicle that has not moved for 60 days may be considered abandoned, even if it is registered.
Before taking action, Council will generally:
- check whether the vehicle has been reported stolen
- attempt to contact the owner
- place a notice on the vehicle
- monitor the vehicle to determine whether it has been moved
If the vehicle remains unmoved and Council is unable to contact the owner, it may be removed and impounded.
Unregistered vehicles
All vehicles parked on a public road must be registered.
If a vehicle is unregistered, Council may place a notice on the vehicle requiring it to be registered or removed from the road by a specified date.
If the vehicle is not moved or registered, it may be impounded.
Important: An Unregistered Vehicle Permit (UVP) does not allow a vehicle to be parked on a public road. A UVP is intended to allow a vehicle to be driven for registration-related purposes only.
You cannot light a fire in the open air without a permit. However, some common outdoor cooking and heating appliances do not require a permit, including:
- barbecues used for cooking food
- pizza ovens
- chimineas
- outdoor fireplaces and fire pits used for heating
You must not burn materials that create excessive smoke, offensive odours, a fire risk, or a nuisance to others.
Materials that must not be burned include:
- plastics and rubber
- oils or petroleum products
- paint and paint containers
- chemicals
- aerosol or pressurised cans
- textiles and fabrics
- food waste
Incinerators are not permitted.
Note: Even in approved circumstances, If smoke, odour or a fire is causing a nuisance, creating a safety risk, or you are directed to do so by an Authorised Officer, Victoria Police or Fire Rescue Victoria, the fire must be extinguished immediately.
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