Design and Development Overlays (DDOs)
Are a type of planning control that guides the appearance, size, height, and layout of new buildings and developments to ensure they respect the character and objectives of an area.
Open for feedback
This consultation is open until 11:59pm on Sunday 15 November 2026.
Amendment C334yara and supporting documents
What we're doing
Yarra City Council is proposing planning scheme changes to simplify application processes for small businesses and residents. Amendment C334yara aims to streamline planning permit applications and also help to increase the uptake of rooftop solar, including on heritage buildings.
Removal of planning permit triggers for businesses
The Amendment removes or winds back a series of planning permit triggers that currently apply to shopfronts, commercial buildings and business signage, particularly in areas covered by Design and Development Overlays (DDOs), Built Form Overlays (BFOs), and a Heritage Overlay (HO). Under the proposed changes, planning permits would be fast tracked and businesses would be exempt from notice and review for business identification signage.
The conditions for exempting planning permit applications for businesses include:
Click the plus sign to view the conditions below.
Provided that:
- The alteration does not include the installation of an external roller shutter
- 80% of the facade is maintained as an entry or window in a Commercial 1 or Commercial 2 zone
- Existing windows and pedestrian entry points are included and/or retained and not increase blank walls in a Mixed Use Zone
Provided that:
- It is no higher than 4 metres above the natural ground level and no Heritage Overlay applies
Provided that:
- The property is not graded as Individually Significant
- For Contributory buildings, the works are limited to the ground floor rear walls or rear ground floor sections of the building
- For Non-Contributory buildings, the works are limited to the rear walls or rear sections of the building
Provided that the pergola or verandah:
- Is not graded Individually Significant
- Is not a corner block
- The pergola/verandah is to the rear of existing building
- For both Contributory and Non-Contributory buildings:
- Does not exceed the eave height of existing single storey or ground floor height of two storey building
- Does not exceed a finished floor level more than 800mm above ground level
- Does not exceed a maximum building height greater than 3 metres above
Provided that the deck:
- Is located to rear of existing building
- Does not exceed a finished floor level more than 800mm above ground level
Provided that the property is not graded as Individually Significant or is not a corner block.
Conditions for the outbuilding include:
- Can't exceed 10 square metres
- Is not greater than 3 metres above ground level
- For Contributory and Non-Contributory buildings:
- Is located within the rear
- The eave height does not exceed eave height of the existing building
- Is not attached to the existing building
- Is located within the rear
- For Contributory buildings only, it does not extend beyond the line of the side elevations of the existing building
Provided that the sign is not:
- An LED, digital or animated sign
- Bunting sign (such as, decorative sign for a sale or strings of triangular flags)
- Electronic sign
- Floodlit sign (a sign illuminated by external light sources)
- Reflective sign
Provided that the property or sign:
- Is in a Commercial 1 or Commercial 2 Zone
- Is less than 1.5 square metres below a verandah, or if there is no verandah, is less than 3.7m above pavement level
- Is not LED, digital or animated
Exemptions for adding solar panels in areas with a Heritage Overlay
This Amendment will also allow solar panels to be installed on properties in Heritage Overlays without requiring a planning permit provided that the panels:
- Sit flush against the roof and are not mounted and raised on an angle
- Do not extend past the existing roof line
- Are not installed on a verandah, canopy, bay windows, or similar structure
Additionally, the roof of the building must not have a turret, tower, spire or dormer (a roofed structure, often with a window).
Currently, solar panels on heritage properties do not need a planning permit if they cannot be seen from the street. The Amendment would make it easier to install solar panels that are visible from the street, recognising that they can be installed and removed with little impact on the heritage buildings and character.
Land affected by the Amendment
The proposed changes to remove planning permit triggers for businesses affects all land in the Commercial 1 (C1Z), Commercial 2 Zone (C2Z) and Mixed Use Zone (MUZ).
The proposed solar panel exemptions affect all land in Yarra (regardless of zoning).
We’re now able to exhibit the draft Amendment C334yara for community submissions.
Anyone can make a submission on Amendment C334yara. This is an opportunity for the community to review the Amendment documents and provide feedback before the Amendment and submissions received are considered by Council.
Submissions must be made in writing and need to be received by 11:59pm on Sunday 15 November 2026.
C334yara, Amendment documents
Statutory documents
Click the plus sign to view the Amendment documents.
Supporting documents
Click the plus sign to view the Amendment documents.
Council Meeting (Authorisation)
Click the plus sign to view the Amendment documents.
Some planning terms and what they mean
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Built Form Overlays (BFOs)
Are another type of planning control that guides the appearance, size, height, and layout of new buildings and developments to ensure they respect the character and objectives of an area.
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Heritage Overlay (HO)
Is a planning control that protects places with recognised heritage value. It helps ensure that changes to buildings, structures, trees, or sites are managed in a way that conserves their historical, architectural, cultural, or social significance.
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Contributory building
Is a building that helps give a heritage area its character and significance. While it may not be individually important enough to be heritage listed on its own, it makes an important contribution to the overall heritage value of the precinct.
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Non-Contributory building
Is a building within a heritage precinct that does not contribute to the heritage significance or historic character of the area. It is often a newer building, or an older building that has been substantially altered so that its heritage features have been lost.
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Outbuilding
This could include garages, sheds, or similar structures built at a property.
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Rear addition
Is an extension and/or addition built at the back of an existing building.
Provide a submission or meet with us
Alternative ways to make a submission
You are also welcome to make a submission to the proposed Amendment C334yara by email or post.
Anyone can make a submission on Amendment C334yara.
A few points to note before making your submission:
- Submissions must be made in writing and need to be received by 11:59pm on Sunday 15 November 2026.
- Please indicate in your submission whether you, support, partially support, or oppose the Amendment and outline any recommended changes.
- Please also indicate in your submission if you are providing feedback on, Exemptions for adding solar panels in areas with a Heritage Overlay, Streamlining business permits, or both aspects of the proposed Amendment.
Email [email protected]
Meet with us
During the consultation period you are welcome to email us and ask questions or book in a meeting with our Strategic Planning team to discuss draft Amendment C334yara:
| Name | Strategic Planning team |
|---|---|
| [email protected] |
Timeline and frequently asked questions
Timeline
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Timeline item 1 - complete
Seeking authorisation for the amendment
Councillors reviewed the proposed Amendment at a Council Meeting on Tuesday 16 December 2025. At this meeting, Councillors resolved to seek authorisation from the Minister for Planning to proceed with the amendment process.
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Timeline item 2 - complete
Minister for Planning provides conditional consent
The Minister for Planning provided consent, with some small changes requested in July 2026, this allows Council to exhibit the draft Amendment.
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Timeline item 3 - active
Public exhibition of Amendment C334yara
Thursday 15 October to 11:59pm on Sunday 15 November 2026.
Draft Amendment C334yara will be available for public exhibition and submissions.
Anyone can provide a submission on the proposed changes made to the Yarra Planning Scheme.
Frequently asked questions
Learn more about the process
The planning scheme amendment process
A planning scheme is a statutory document which sets out how land can be used and developed. It also sets out how land is to be protected and conserved. It includes policies, zones, overlays and other provisions to achieve its objectives.
In accordance with section 6 of the Planning and Environment Act 1987 the planning scheme:
- Must seek to further the objectives of planning in Victoria within the area covered by the scheme.
- Must contain a Municipal Strategic Statement (MSS).
- May make any provision which relates to the use, development, protection or conservation of any land in the area.
Planning Schemes in Victoria all have the same structure and include:
- Maps which show the zones and overlays that affect the land.
- An ordinance which sets outs the written requirements of a scheme.
- Incorporated documents.
Each municipality has its own planning scheme and the local policies distinguish one planning scheme from another. See a copy of the Yarra Planning Scheme.
An amendment makes changes to the planning scheme. An amendment may be required to implement a new strategy or plan, to update local policies, to correct a mistake or rezone land, among other things.
There are six steps in the process to consider an amendment. This project is currently at stage 2, 'Exhibition'.
