Updated: October 2025
There are 3 different sets of controls that protect trees on residential properties in Monash:
Canopy tree protections
Controls introduced by the Victorian Government now require a planning permit to remove, destroy or lop a tree in specified circumstances on residential land.
What does this mean?
This applies to all residential properties in Monash and means a planning permit is required to remove, destroy, or lop a canopy tree, if the tree:
- Is over 5m in height
- Has a canopy diameter of at least 4m
- Has trunk circumference greater than 0.5m
This applies:
- Anywhere on the site, if the site is vacant, or
- Within 6 metres of the front boundary and 4.5 metres of the rear boundary where:
- There is an existing dwelling, or one that's proposed to be extended.
- The land is vacant or has an existing dwelling, and a planning permit application is being assessed for one or more dwellings.
You can also refer to the Monash Planning Scheme.
Planning permit exemptions
Residents are exempted from applying for a permit if you are removing, destroying or lopping a canopy tree that:
- Is dead.
- Presents an immediate risk of personal injury or damage to property, however only the part of the canopy tree that presents the immediate risk may be removed, destroyed or lopped.
- Requires lopping or pruning for maintenance only, provided no more than one third of the foliage of the tree is lopped or pruned.
This exemption does not apply to:
- Pruning or lopping of the trunk of a canopy tree.
- Pruning or lopping that would reduce:
- the height of the tree to less than 5 metres, or
- the canopy diameter of the tree to less than 4 metres
Apply for a permit
It is the responsibility of the landowner to ensure a planning permit is obtained, or that an exemption is met prior to the removal of any vegetation. Landowners may wish to engage an arborist or other qualified professional to give advice prior to removing trees as illegal tree removal can result in fines and/or legal action.
You can apply to remove a canopy tree through our fast-track planning process, with decisions generally made within 10 business days. Applications need to include a site plan and reasons for removal.
When reviewing a permit application, Council will consider issues including the tree’s health, size, contribution to the neighbourhood tree canopy, and whether replacement trees are needed. This is also explained in the Monash Planning Scheme under Decision Guidelines.
All permit applications must be accompanied by:
- Site plan and/or photographs that show the location, species, height and spread of the trees to be removed, as well as proposed replacement planting.
- Cover letter explaining why the tree is proposed to be removed, including details of any related buildings and works proposed on the land.
- Assessment of the canopy tree prepared by an arborist or other qualified person, if the canopy tree is proposed to be removed or lopped due to its health or stability.
In most circumstances a permit will be conditional on the planting of replacement canopy trees.
Vegetation Protection Overlay controls
In addition to the Canopy Tree controls, some areas in the City of Monash are covered by the Vegetation Protection Overlay (VPO).
You may require a planning permit under the VPO in addition to the canopy tree controls detailed above. If you require a planning permit under both controls, you need only make one application via our fast-tracked planning process.
How do I find out if my property is in a VPO?
Use our map to check if your property falls within a VPO (select a property on the map, then the layer 'Planning Zone').
Do I need a planning permit?
If your property is in a VPO, a planning permit is needed to remove or destroy vegetation that is:
- Higher than 10m, and
- Has a trunk circumference greater than 50cm (16cm diameter) at 120cm above ground level
It is the responsibility of the landowner to ensure a planning permit is obtained, or that an exemption is met. Landowners may wish to engage an arborist or other qualified professional to give advice prior to removing trees as illegal tree removal can result in fines and/or legal action.
Planning permit exemptions
Residents are exempted from applying for a permit under the VPO provisions if you are removing a tree that:
- Is dead.
- Is one of these species: all types of willows, radiata or monterey pines, evergreen alders, sweet pittosporums and desert ash.
- Presents an immediate risk of personal injury or damage to property, however only the part of the tree that presents the immediate risk may be removed.
Free inspection service for VPO residents
Council provides a free advice service to residents in VPO areas where residents are uncertain if a planning permit is required, or to confirm that an exemption is met.
This service is available to residents in VPO areas only and is not for people developing their land for the purpose of more than 1 dwelling.
Request an assessment from our arboricultural team, please provide all the information requested.
Request tree assessment
How do I apply for a planning permit
When applying you must include:
- Current copy of Certificate of Title, including a full copy of any restrictions or covenants.
- Site plan detailing the location of the vegetation to be removed and details of the species and height of any replacement vegetation.
- Statement and any supporting information justifying the vegetation removal.
Apply to remove only 1 tree in VPO area
You can do this online via VicSmart Planning Applications (you can only lodge 1 VicSmart application to remove a tree within 12 months).
VicSmart Application - single tree removal
Apply to remove 2 or more trees in VPO area
Tree Removal Application
VPO tree removal decision guidelines
In assessing an application for tree removal in a VPO Council will consider:
- Nature, significance, condition and quality of the vegetation.
- Whether provision is made or could be made to establish and maintain vegetation elsewhere on the property.
- Reason for removing or destroying the vegetation and the practicality of alternative options which do not require removal or destruction of vegetation.
- Practicality and benefits of relocating significant vegetation.
- Relevant planning polies and strategies.
Planning controls for properties along Gardiners Creek
Some properties along Gardiners Creek in Ashwood and Burwood are also covered by a Significant Landscape Overlay (SLO1).
You may require a planning permit under the SLO, in addition to the canopy tree controls detailed above. If you require a planning permit under both controls, you need only make one application via our fast-tracked planning process.
How do I find out if my property is in the SLO?
Use our map to check if your property falls within the SLO (select a property on the map, then the layer Planning Overlays).
Do I need a planning permit?
If your property is in the SLO you need a planning permit to construct any building within 50m of the top bank of Gardiners Creek.
If your property is in the SLO but more than 50m from the top back of Gardiners Creek, you need a planning permit for buildings or development works that:
- Are 6 metres or higher
- Adds more than 50 square metres of additional floor space
- Uses materials or colours that are not muted, natural and low-reflective
- Changes ground levels by more than 0.6 metres (for example, to build a basement or swimming pool)
Fencing
A planning permit is also required for fencing that:
- Is within 50 metres of the top of the bank of Gardiners Creek
- Is less than 50% transparent or higher than 1.8 metres
A permit is not required to remove, destroy or lop vegetation, if the vegetation:
- Has a height of less than 6 metres above ground level, a trunk diameter of less than 0.4 metres measured at 1.4 metres above ground level, and a canopy diameter of less than 4 metres; or
- Has been planted as part of a windbreak, plantation, orchard or horticulture; or
- Is identified as a weed species in the Victorian Government's Advisory List of Environmental Weeds in Victoria
Planning permit exemptions
You do not need a planning permit if you are removing a tree that poses an immediate risk to people or property. Importantly, only the part of the tree that presents the immediate risk can be removed.
How do I apply for a planning permit
You can apply our fast-track planning process for approval in an SLO for:
- Construction of a fence
- Removal, destruction or lopping of one tree
- Construction of a carport, garage, pergola, verandah, deck, shed or similar structure, or to install a rainwater tank – if associated with an existing dwelling
- Construction of a small second dwelling.
When applying you must include:
- Current copy of Certificate of Title, including a full copy of any restrictions or covenants.
- Site plan detailing the location of the vegetation to be removed and details of the species and height of any replacement vegetation.
- Statement and any supporting information justifying the vegetation removal.
- Survey plan identifying the distance of any proposed buildings, works or fences from the top of the bank of Gardiners Creek
- Any other relevant requirements in the Significant Landscape Overlay.
For all other applications visit Apply for a Planning Permit
More information
Monash Planning Scheme
Please contact Council on 9518 3555.