Notification rules · VIC
Planning permit advertising under section 52, protection work notices to the people next door, and what each council asks of you.
Quick answer: in Victoria the council decides whether a planning permit application is advertised. When it is, the owners and occupiers of adjoining land get notice by letter, usually with a sign on the site, for at least 14 days. Some councils post the letters for a fee; others ask you to do it. Separately, building work that could damage the property next door needs a protection work notice, and the neighbour has 14 days to reply.
Working out dates? The notice period calculator counts the days for you, including business days and holidays.
Free template: Protection work notice (VIC), ready to copy and print.
| Who decides | The responsible authority (usually council) gives notice or tells you to give it. If it has not set requirements within 10 business days, you can give notice yourself |
|---|---|
| Who is told | Owners and occupiers of adjoining land unless council is satisfied there is no material detriment, plus anyone else who may be harmed, other affected councils and people named in the planning scheme |
| How | A sign on the land, a newspaper notice, letters delivered by hand or post, or any other method council thinks fit |
| How long | The councils we checked all use at least 14 days |
Planning schemes exempt some applications from notice, and VicSmart applications are not advertised.
Source: Planning and Environment Act 1987, section 52. Checked 7 October 2026.
If your building work could damage the property next door, for example excavating near its footings, the owner must serve a protection work notice on the adjoining owner.
Source: Protecting adjoining properties, Building and Plumbing Commission. Checked 7 October 2026.
The statutory notice only reaches adjoining land. The street will still hear the concrete trucks. A short courtesy letter to everyone within 50 to 100 m, a week before work starts, heads off most complaints. Our construction notice template is a good start.
What each council publishes about advertising a planning application. Follow the source link for current fees and forms.
| Who sends letters | Council posts notices to adjoining owners and occupiers for you and supplies the site sign. You put the sign up and place any newspaper notice |
|---|---|
| Who gets one | Adjoining owners and occupiers by post, plus the public through the site sign |
| Notice period | At least 14 clear days from the day the sign goes up |
The sign goes at eye level within one metre of the frontage, fixed to a board, with the date in waterproof pen. After 14 days you complete a statutory declaration before a JP and return it with the fee.
Source: A guide for planning applicants (January 2024). Checked 7 October 2026.
| Who sends letters | Council, for a fee. You place the sign Council provides |
|---|---|
| Who gets one | Adjoining owners and occupiers and any other affected properties |
| Notice period | At least 14 full days |
Fees listed: $256.80 for the site notice and $16.35 per letter. You sign a statutory declaration that the sign was up for the full period.
Source: Planning permit application process. Checked 7 October 2026.
| Who sends letters | You, when Council asks you to give notice |
|---|---|
| Who gets one | Neighbours and others affected by the proposal |
| Notice period | At least 14 days |
VicSmart and subdivision applications are not advertised.
Source: Apply for a Planning Permit. Checked 7 October 2026.
| Who sends letters | Council advertises the application |
|---|---|
| Who gets one | Surrounding owners and occupiers and other interested parties |
| Notice period | At least 14 days, 28 days over Christmas |
Source: Online Planning Register and Applications on Advertising. Checked 7 October 2026.
| Who sends letters | Council |
|---|---|
| Who gets one | Adjoining owners and occupiers, and sometimes the wider area through the local paper |
| Notice period | At least 14 days |
An extra fee covers the advertising.
Source: Planning Permit Frequently Asked Questions. Checked 7 October 2026.
| Who sends letters | Council |
|---|---|
| Who gets one | Neighbours by letter, plus a sign on the site |
| Notice period | At least 14 days |
Source: Permit process and timeframes. Checked 7 October 2026.
| Who sends letters | Council |
|---|---|
| Who gets one | Properties that may be affected, by letter or a sign on the property |
| Notice period | 14 days, inside the 60 day decision period |
Source: How we assess planning applications. Checked 7 October 2026.
| Who sends letters | Council decides which applications are advertised |
|---|---|
| Who gets one | Affected properties and nearby residents, by mail |
| Notice period | At least 14 days |
Advertising can also include signs on the site and a notice in the local paper.
Source: Advertising of your planning application. Checked 7 October 2026.
Pin the site, set the radius and get every letterbox inside it as a walk list, with a signed delivery record and printable notices when the job needs them. The count is free.