Guides to Local Laws
Guidance to improve local laws, developed with and for councils.
Details
Topic: Regulatory reform
Audience: Local government
Regulatory function: Permissions
Industry: All relevant industries
Document type: Guide
Author: Department of Treasury and Finance
Date published: 26 November 2025
The 3-part guides to local laws can help local councils design, review and improve registrations, permits and other permissions.
They have been developed in consultation with councils and offer clear steps for updating local laws. They also highlight examples of better permit processes already in use by councils.
The guides include:
- Local Laws Assessment Guide that sets out alternative approaches to standard permitting that are less burdensome.
- Better Practice Guides that provide specific guidance for asset protection, footpath trading, public protection (e.g., hoardings) and skip bin permits.
- Smarter Permitting Guide that provides general guidance on improving permitting practices.
How this tool can help
The guides can help councils:
- design rules that are proportionate to the risk of different business activities
- speed up approvals and reduce the regulatory burden on businesses
- save time in processing applications and monitoring businesses.
Support to apply this tool
We encourage interested councils to contact us at reg.reform@dtf.vic.gov.au for more information and advice on applying these guides.
Download
Local Laws Assessment Guide
Lower-cost options for regulating business activities.
Local Laws Assessment Guide PDF 5.88 MB (opens in a new window)
Local Laws Assessment Guide PPT 2.81 MB (opens in a new window)
Better Practice Guides
Footpath trading – top tips to improve your processes, streamline requirements and reduce delays.
Guide to Footpath Trading Permits PDF 1.41 MB (opens in a new window)
Guide to Footpath Trading Permits Word 2.98 MB (opens in a new window)
Asset protection – top tips to improve processes, streamline requirements and reduce delays.
Guide to Asset Protection Permits PDF 1.15 MB (opens in a new window)
Guide to Asset Protection Permits Word 2.66 MB (opens in a new window)
Skip bins – top tips to improve processes, simplify requirements and reduce delays.
Guide to Skip Bin Permits PDF 1.61 MB (opens in a new window)
Guide to Skip Bin Permits Word 131.34 KB (opens in a new window)
Public Protection (Hoardings and Protective Structures) permits – top tips to improve your processes, manage risks and reduce delays.
Guide to Public Protection Permits PDF 1.27 MB (opens in a new window)
Guide to Public Protection Permits Word 3.5 MB (opens in a new window)
Smarter Permitting Guide
Smarter permitting practices help councils reduce costs, shorten approval times, and improve customer service.
Smarter Permitting Guide PDF 1.28 MB (opens in a new window)
Smarter Permitting Guide Word 2.14 MB (opens in a new window)
Updated 28 November 2025
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