Bushfire Management Overlay
The intention of a Bushfire Management Overlay (BMO) is to reduce the exposure of people, property and buildings to bushfire hazard.
If you want to build or extend a dwelling or outbuilding on a site with a BMO, you will need a planning permit.
Use the VicPlan map tool to check if your property is subject to a BMO.
Application requirements
Documents should be submitted as digital files via email. We also accept hard copies by mail or in person.
- Complete the online application or PDF form on the Lodge your planning permit applications page
- Written description of your proposal
- Certificate of Title from Landata
- VicPlan Planning Property Report
- Report of selected materials, colours and finishes (as applicable)
- Bushfire Management Plan (BMP)
- Bushfire Management Statement (BMS) (if applicable)
- Fully dimensioned plans at a scale of 1:100 or 1:200, maximum size A3, If lodging in hard copy, please supply three copies of each of the below plans:
- site plans
- floor plans (as applicable)
- elevation plans (as applicable)
Use our Planning Permit Application Lodgement Checklist(PDF, 315KB) to ensure you are meeting the application requirements.
Additional information
Written description of proposal
Your description should outline your proposal with as much detail as possible about your intended operation, and how you plan to use or develop the land.
This must include:
- version number on the plan
- Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) rating
- required standard conditions and fill in the specific details
Certificate of Title
The Certificate of Title for your property can be requested from Landata. Fees will apply.
You will need to supply a current Certificate of Title (within the past 3 months) when you apply for your planning permit.
Bushfire Management Plan
A Bushfire Management Plan (BMP) details all the measures that you will put in place to mitigate the risk of bushfires to your property. It includes short, medium and long-term management strategies.
See the Country Fire Authority (CFA) for Bushfire Management Plan templates and guidelines.
Learn about building in the BMO from the Department of Transport and Planning. Different structures have different requirements.
Single dwelling
- Defendable space will be determined by your Bushfire Management Statement (BMS)
- All information should reflect your BMS
Multiple dwellings
- May require individual BMPs
- Outbuilding over 100 sqm
- Requires 10 m of defendable space
- Defendable space must remain within boundaries of your land
- Any outbuilding less than 100 sqm is exempt from the requirements of the BMO
Agricultural shed
- Exempt from BMO – no requirement
Bushfire Management Statement
A Bushfire Management Statement (BMS) is required for all applications to build or work on single dwellings in a BMO.
For subdivisions or complex developments applications, you should consult a Bushfire Planning and Design (BPAD) practitioner accredited by FPA Australia.
Outbuildings do not require a BMS.
See the Country Fire Authority (CFA) for Bushfire Management Statement (BMS) templates.
Plans
Your plans should be fully dimensioned at a scale of 1:100 or 1:200. The maximum size is A3.
If lodging in hard copy, please supply x3 copies of each plan.
The site plan must show:
- defendable space
- vehicle access
- water access
Onsite inspections
To help us conduct an efficient onsite inspection, please:
- provide a photograph of the site from the street
- mark the site clearly with a sign showing the street number
- peg out the location of the development and tape any vegetation to be removed
- if the height of the development may be an issue, erect height poles to indicate the height of the proposed development
- advise whether access to the site needs to be prearranged (e.g. if there are locked gates)
Fees
Check our Fees and Charges(PDF, 344KB) to see all costs involved in your permit application.
Advertising
The materials you submit with your application, including plans, will be made available for public view. Copies may be made to interested parties for consideration and review as part of the planning process under the Planning and Environment Act 1987.
Contact us for advice
It is important that you discuss your proposal with us before you submit your application to avoid potential delays or disappointments during the planning process.