If your land is affected by an SBO, you may require a Planning Permit for building works. Building works in SBO are generally permitted with conditions requiring minimum finished floor levels.

Step 1 – Identifying land affected by an SBO

There are several ways to find out if your land is affected by an SBO, for example:

• By obtaining a planning certificate or planning property report
• By viewing your property on VicPlan
• By contacting our Statutory Planning Unit on 03 5272 4456 or Stormwater Planning Team by emailing  [email protected]

Step 2 - Apply for Flood Advice

Flood levels on a property determine the required minimum floor levels for future development. Council can provide flood advice/ information via a formal Flood Advice report. Please get flood advice before designing your development.

Apply for SBO Flood Advice

Step 3 – Check if you need SBO Consent

If you intend to lodge a VicSmart planning permit application, you must first obtain SBO Consent from Council's SBO team.

SBO Consent consists of a formal report and stamped plans, which must be included with your VicSmart application. Applications lodged without the required SBO Consent documentation cannot be assessed and may be placed on hold pending further information.

Apply for SBO Consent

Step 4 – Apply for Planning Permit

Standard Planning Permit

If you lodge a standard planning permit application, Council will refer the proposal to the SBO team to assess whether the development is acceptable having regard to flood risk and, where applicable, whether the proposed finished floor levels meet the required standards.

VicSmart Permit

Before lodging a VicSmart application, ensure you have obtained SBO Consent, including the required report and stamped plans, as outlined above.

Apply for a planning permit