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Demolition, buildings and works in a Heritage Overlay

 

If your property is in a Heritage Overlay, a planning permit may be required for demolition, buildings and works. The requirement for a permit depends on what you are proposing to do. Even minor works, like changing windows, doors or installing services can require a permit.

You will need a permit if you are:

  • Building an extension
  • Constructing a fence
  • Demolishing or removing a fence or building
  • Constructing a pergola, verandah, carport or similar structure
  • Replacing any existing element of the building such as a window, roof, verandah, door, or other external alterations
  • Installing a solar energy system
  • Altering the exterior of a building
  • Carrying out works, repairs and routine maintenance which change the appearance of a heritage place
  • Painting a previously unpainted surface
  • Or other buildings and works listed under Clause 43.01-1 – Heritage Overlay Permit requirement.

To check whether your property is in a Heritage Overlay visit Vicplan and search the affected property address. Visit our Heritage page for general information about heritage at Yarra.

You can contact the planning team if you require assistance.

What you'll need

If you need to submit a planning permit application for demolition or buildings and works in a Heritage Overlay, this is the information you’ll need to provide.

We have guides with more information about:

For information about solar panels, visit Solar Panels and Heritage Overlays.

  • Completed application form, which you will fill in online when you lodge your application.
  • A recent copy of Certificate of Title and Register Search Statement from Landata that’s no more than 3 months old, including a full copy of any restrictive covenants or section 173 agreements.
  • The applicable Fee. Learn more on our fees page.
  • A full set of plans which must include:
    • Electronic site and elevation plans prepared by a suitably qualified architect or draftsman drawn to scale, including:
      • Existing elevation plans showing:
        • A heading/title
        • The length, width and height of the existing building/s on the lot (drawn as if looking front or side to show the height)
        • Plans for each elevation (i.e. north, south, east, west)
        • The length, width and height of the existing buildings, dimensioned
        • The overall height of the building/s above natural ground level
        • A streetscape elevation showing adjoining buildings and the existing façade
        • The colours and materials of the existing building/s
        • Any elements proposed to be demolished, replace or removed highlighted in a different colour and annotated
      • A proposed demolition plan showing:
        • A title/heading
        • A north arrow
        • The boundaries of the subject site dimensioned in accordance with the title plan
        • The location of any existing buildings, including fence and trees
        • Adjoining roads labelled
        • The location of any elements proposed to demolished, removed or replaced highlighted or outlined in red and annotated that they are to be demolished
      • A proposed site plan clearly depicting:
        • A title/heading
        • A north arrow
        • The boundaries of the subject site dimensioned in accordance with the title plan
        • Any existing and new buildings and works clearly differentiated from each other
        • The length and width of the proposed buildings and works
        • Setback of the buildings and works from the site boundaries
        • The location of any proposed solar energy system, rainwater tank, fence, swimming pool, or other proposed buildings requiring a permit under the Heritage Overlay.
      • Proposed elevation plans clearly depicting:
        • A heading/title
        • The length, width and height of the existing and proposed building/s on the lot (drawn as if looking front or side to show the height)
        • Plans for each elevation (i.e. north, south, east, west)
        • The length, width and height of proposed buildings, dimensioned
        • The overall height of the building/s above natural ground level
        • The colours and materials of the proposed building/s
      • A schedule of colours and materials.
  • A covering letter explaining your proposal, including a response to the relevant parts of the Yarra Planning Scheme including:
  • Photographs of the property as well as other buildings or dwellings within the immediate surrounding area to provide context for your proposal
  • Survey Plan from a licensed land surveyor
  • Details regarding the surrounding neighbourhood context
  • Photographs of the property as well as other buildings or dwellings within the immediate surrounding area to provide context for your proposal
  • A Heritage report prepared by a suitably qualified Heritage expert – depending on the scale of changes and the significance of the property
  • A structural report from a suitably qualified Structural engineer – depending on the extent of demolition and/or structural changes to significant fabric

This guide outlines the standard information required for application lodgement. Additional information may be requested by the assessing planning officer.

For information about fees, please refer to the Schedule of fees. Please note, you may require other permits, these may incur additional fees.

The City of Yarra’s Database of Heritage Significant Areas lists sites within a Heritage Overlay as being categorised at either ‘individually significant’, ‘contributory’ and ‘non-contributory’.  Different requirements or restrictions may apply based on the heritage category of your dwelling. The most up to date Database of Heritage Significant Areas can be found under Incorporated Documents.

Some buildings and works do not need a permit in some Heritage precincts. This is outlined in the Incorporated Plan under the Provisions of Clause 43.01 which you can view here. 

Council’s Heritage studies and statements of significance are also available on our Heritage page.

For information about solar panels, visit Solar Panels and Heritage Overlays.

Hand-drawn plans may be acceptable for your application, you may also decide to use annotated photographs and representative imagery. Alternatively, you may wish to engage a person suitably qualified to prepare architectural plans which often tends to show your proposal more clearly.

For more information