Solar panels

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You may need a Planning Permit, a Building Permit or both to install solar panels. You may also need other permits, depending on your situation.

How to use this guide

To help you work out which permits you need, start at Step 1 and answer the questions one at a time.

If you need help at any step, email [email protected] or call (03) 9278 4888 and ask for our:

Urban Planning team (information on planning or Planning Permits).
Building Services team (information on building or Building Permits).

Step 1 – Check for a Heritage Overlay

Search for your property on the Department of Transport and Planning's Search for a planning property report page to find out if your property is:

covered by a Heritage Overlay, and/or
on the Victorian Heritage Register.

If your site is on the Victorian Heritage Register, check with Heritage Victoria on how to apply for their approval for works on your property. You do not need a Planning Permit from us, but you may need a Building Permit (go to Step 4 to check).

If your site is covered by a Heritage Overlay but not on the Victorian Heritage Register, you may need a Planning Permit to install solar panels on your property.

Planning enquiry tool

Use myLot, our free planning enquiry tool, to help you:

find overlays that apply to your property
determine if your solar panels requires a planning permit
understand why a permit is or isn't needed, referencing the relevant planning rules and overlays.

This tool is intended as a helpful guide and isn’t a final planning decision.

Use our free planning enquiry tool

Are you in a Heritage Overlay?

If yes, and you are not on the Victorian Heritage Register, go to the next step.
If no, you do not need a Planning Permit. Go to Step 4 to check if you need a Building Permit.

Step 2 – Check if your proposed panels will be visible

If your proposed solar panels and supporting equipment can be seen from a street (other than a lane) or public park, you need a Planning Permit.

Read our Guide to solar panels in a Heritage Overlay page for guidance on where and how solar panels should be installed.

Are your proposed solar panels visible from a street or park?

If yes, go to the next step.
If no, you don't need a Planning Permit. Go to Step 4 to check if you need a Building Permit.

Step 3 – Apply for a Planning Permit

If you need a Planning Permit only to install solar panels and aren't proposing any other changes to the outside of your house (such as an extension), we can fast-track your application through VicSmart within 10 working days.

If you install solar panels without receiving our permission, you may have committed an offence and be liable for certain penalties.

Find out how to apply for a Planning Permit.

Step 4 – Check the structural support your solar panels need

Check whether your proposed panels will be fixed directly to the roof or whether you'll need to add extra supporting mechanisms.

Making changes to the structure of your roof to support solar panels can affect the soundness of the building and add additional load to the roof. It's important to make sure your solar panels won't have a negative impact on your building.

If your solar panels are on a raised or protruding frame or structure, you will likely need a Building Permit.

Do your solar panels need structural support?

If yes, contact our Building Services team to find out if you need a Building Permit. Email [email protected] or call (03) 9278 4888 and ask for the Building Services team.
If no, you do not need a Building Permit. As long as there are no planning restrictions, you can install the solar panels.