Solar panels and heritage requirements

Here's a checklist of how to get ready to submit your VicSmart planning permit application.

1. Buy a current (no older than 3 months) certificate of title from Victorian Land Registry Services https://www.landata.vic.gov.au/.
2. Register for an online account to access the VicSmart application portal. Please allow up to 48 hours for account authorisation.

After registered, make sure you have the right attachments ready to include with your application. You will need:

1. A photo or image from Google Street View of the street frontage/s of the property
2. An aerial image of the roof snipped from Google or NearMaps, with the following marked/drawn on the image:
   • proposed location of the solar panel/s
   • an arrow showing orientation/ north
   • property boundary, labelling the street/s
   • approximate distance of the solar panels from the street and or laneway.
3. A brief written description of the solar panels. This should include:
   • the number and size of the solar panels, and where they will be located
   • whether the solar panels will be flush to the roof or at an angle
   • how the solar panels will be fixed to the roof
   • details of the colours, materials, finishes and other specifications of the solar panels and their framing (can include relevant information from the product brochure).

• Register online. Please allow up to 48 hours for account authorisation.
• Complete the VicSmart planning permit application (accessible once you’ve registered).
• Lodge your application, including all the required attachments and make payment.

• Council officers will make contact, and there may be a site visit to your home by Council’s Heritage Officer.
• If necessary, the Heritage Officer may work with you to adjust your application to ensure it facilitates a good outcome for you and respects the heritage place.
• An outcome will be determined within 10 days.