Local laws and legislation

Information on local laws covering election campaigning, infringements, noise, tobacco, alcohol, camping, littering, smoke and more.

Local Government in Victoria is administered under the Local Government Act 2020, which provides a framework for the establishment and operation of councils.

Under this legislation, local councils can create local laws to respond to issues and community needs. Local Laws are created to enhance and protect the health, safety and amenity of its residents, businesses, visitors, and municipality.

The local laws complement the responsibilities and powers under both state and federal laws.

Our local laws

Council's General Local Law and supporting documents can be found below, alongside commonly raised issues.

We have local laws which cover:

You can drink or be in possession of an open container of alcohol in any public place in Yarra, excluding alcohol free zones. These are described below.

Year round alcohol free zones include:

all public parks and reserves in the City of Yarra from 9.00pm - 9.00am
footpaths next to an open licensed venue (except venues selling takeaway liquor like bottle shops)
within 10 metres of the entrance and exit of a public buildings or facility that provides services to families and children (including libraries and leisure centres)
on any road, including when in a vehicle

AFL Grand Final

An area around Swan Street on AFL Grand Final weekend is alcohol free from 9.00pm the day before the game, all day of the Grand Final through until 9.00am the morning after the game.

New Year's Eve

All public places in the City of Yarra are alcohol free from 9.00pm on 30 December to 9.00am 1 January.

Yarra City Council can add additional alcohol free zones or remove restrictions temporarily for a special event or festival.

Report alcohol consumption in public places

Camping in any park or garden in Yarra is not permitted. This is not applicable to people who are homeless or sleeping rough.

Report camping in a park or garden

Littering from a vehicle or near a vehicle, should be reported to the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) using the EPA form.

Report other types of littering.

Local laws assist to minimise impacts from open air burning, wood fire heaters and cooking appliances.

Open air burning and incinerators

It is an offence to light a fire in the open without a permit, unless cooking food in a purpose-built BBQ, pizza oven or chiminea.

It is also an offence to use an incinerator at any time or to burn any substances that may generate dangerous smoke, such as burning painted timber, wood treated with chemicals and food waste.

Lodge a complaint about burning in the open air here.

Wood fire heaters and cooking appliances

Wood fire heaters and cooking appliances are permitted, however when not operated or maintained correctly, they can cause excessive smoke. Even with correct use there will be smoke from time to time.

Commonly a resident who operates a wood fire heater or cooking appliance is not aware the smoke they create is causing concern. Please speak with your neighbour and try to reach agreement first.

Lodge a complaint about wood smoke pollution here.

Reducing wood smoke

If you are using a wood fire heater or cooking appliance, there are several steps you can take to reduce pollution and ensure your fire burns as cleanly and efficiently as possible.

Examples include using dry, untreated, seasoned hardwood for fuel and making sure the heater’s flue is clean.

Victoria’s Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has helpful information:

Alternatives to wood fire heaters

The cleanest heating option is to not use wood as a source of heating at all. Electric heating options, especially reverse cycle air conditioning, are healthier, more sustainable ways to heat your home.

There are several Victorian Government incentives to help you switch to all-electric heating, powered by renewable energy with no use of gas:

take up a rebate for low-income households to upgrade to an energy efficient reverse cycle air conditioner
access discounted heating appliances through the Victorian Energy Upgrades program
solar panel rebates and no-interest loans

Find out more about creating an all-electric home here.

Lodge a complaint about burning in the open air Lodge a complaint about wood smoke pollution

Objects such as signs, skip bins, tools and equipment cannot be placed on roads or footpaths without permission. Such items impact line of sight on roads and can cause safety issues or prevent access for residents and visitors.

Report an obstruction

Trees, shrubs, hedges or other vegetation are not allowed to obstruct a clear view or grow over a road or footpath.

Report overhanging vegetation

Land must not be kept in an unsightly condition or in a way that is detrimental to the neighbourhood.

This includes storing building waste or unregistered cars on the property or having or overgrown trees, plants or noxious weeds.

Report an unsightly property