Satellite dish

An easement is an area of land on your property that councils and other authorities are allowed to access. When an easement is obstructed, it can prevent important maintenance work and block the flow of stormwater.

Check your Certificate of Title for any easements. If you don’t have this document, you can get a copy from the Landata website for a small fee.

Does your property have any easements?

• If yes, check that your satellite dish plans comply with any requirements, then go to the next step. 
• If no, go to the next step.

Measure the width of the satellite dish from one side through the centre to the other side.

You need a Planning Permit if the dish is more than 1.2 m wide and

• visible from a street or a public park, or 
• within 3 m of a window of any habitable room in a house – excluding a bathroom, laundry, pantry, walk-in robe, hallway, lobby and similar.

Do you need to apply for a Planning Permit?

• If yes, apply for a Planning Permit then go to the next step.
• If no, go to the next step.

The bigger the satellite dish, the more it needs to be set back from the property’s boundaries. 

A satellite dish that's more than 1.2 m wide in a Residential Zone must be set back:

• 1 m from the side boundary and 1 m from the rear boundary
  • plus 0.3 m for every metre of height from 3.6 to 6.9 m
  • plus 1 m for every metre of height over 6.9 m. 

Contact Urban Planning to help you find out whether the position of your dish meets setback requirements. 

If your dish doesn't meet setback requirements, you need a Planning Permit. 

Do you need to contact Urban Planning?

• If yes, contact Urban Planning.
• If no, go to the next step.

Do you need to apply for a Planning Permit? 

• If yes, apply for a Planning Permit then go to the next step.
• If no, go to the next step.

Create a Planning Property Report on the VicPlan website by entering the address of your property. This will show you any overlays (restrictions).

You need a Planning Permit if your property has a Heritage Overlay and your satellite dish is:

• more than 1.2 m wide and
• visible from a street or a public park.

If your property is on the Victorian Heritage Register you may also need approval from Heritage Victoria. Contact Heritage Victoria for advice on how to apply for approval.

Does your property have a Heritage Overlay?

• If yes, apply for a Planning Permit then go to the next step.
• If no, go to the next step. 

Satellite dish attached to a roof

Measure the height of your dish from its highest point of attachment to the roof. 

If the measurement is more than 3 m, you need:

• a Building Permit
• a Report and Consent from Council to install the dish. 

Freestanding satellite dish

Measure the height of your dish from the natural ground level.

You need a Building Permit if the measurement is more than 8 m above natural ground level.

Do you need to apply for a Building Permit?

• If yes, apply for a Building Permit then, if you don't need Report and Consent, go to the next step.
• If no, go to the next step.

Do you need to apply to Council for Report and Consent? 

• If yes, apply for Report and Consent then go to the next step.
• If no, go to the next step.

You may need other permits, depending on your situation.

If you need to:

• remove, prune or do works within 2 m of a canopy or significant tree during your build, apply for a Tree Works Permit 
• store equipment on a road, footpath or nature strip, apply for a Road or Footpath Occupancy Permit. 

If your works could impact:

• driveway access to your property, apply for a Vehicle Crossing Permit 
• public assets, such as roads, footpath or nature strip, apply for an Asset Protection Permit.

Check if the property is listed under Schedule to Clause 51.01 Specific Sites and Exclusions(open in new window). If it is, contact Statutory Planning on (03) 9278 4888 to find out about special restrictions and exemptions that apply.

You can begin installation:

• after all your permits or permissions have been issued
• if your situation does not require any permits or permissions.