Do you need a permit?

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A planning permit application can be triggered by a zone or overlay requirement, a 'Particular' or 'General Provision' within the Ordinance of the Ballarat Planning Scheme (DSE website).

The planning scheme consists of three main components as follows:

1. the ordinance
2. the scheme maps (zones and overlays)
3. incorporated/reference documents

It is the consideration of the total of these elements that will inform Council's decisions.

A zone has a table of uses that in section one lists types of land uses that do not require planning approval, under the zoning. Section two uses require a planning permit be obtained prior to any activity being undertaken on the land. Section three uses are prohibited in the zone. The zones permit triggers can be further modified by specific conditions against each use in each section.

An overlay generally triggers a permit application for any works or development on any land subject to an overlay control.

A particular or general provision provides for certain types of developments and each contains a specific set of guidelines and information requirements that need to be addressed.

Each of the above permit triggers can overlay each other to form a specific set of information requirements to be lodged with an application. It is strongly recommended that you contact the Statutory Planning Unit to confirm any proposal prior to commencement. A planning consultant may also be of assistance in determining permit requirements.