Install hoardings, gantries or scaffolds on public land

You must get a permit for hoardings, gantries and scaffolds on a public road or footpath. This is called a temporary protective structure permit.

You must do this even if your hoarding was provisionally approved as part of:

• report and consent
• a Construction Management Plan (CMP)
• a Construction Traffic Impact Assessment (CTIA)

You don’t need a permit to install a hoarding on private property.

If your temporary protective structure will project over the street alignment, you must get a report and consent. You must do this before you apply for a temporary protective structure permit. 

Read more about public precautions, report and consent (reg. 116). 

You may also need other permits. This includes to park or unload vehicles on the road (construction permit zone).

You must submit the following supporting documents when you apply:

• Dimensioned site and floor plan including elevation
• Copy of the regulation 116 report and consent and drawings forming part of this consent
• Public liability insurance certificate with a minimum cover of $20 million (read more about our requirements for public liability insurance)
• Traffic Management Plan (TMP) for installation
• Certificate of compliance
• Deed of indemnity

Tree Protection Plan

If your works encroach on a tree protection zone, you’ll need to submit a Tree Protection Plan (TPP). 

To find out more about tree protection zones and Tree Protection Plans, see

Certificate of compliance

You must submit a certificate of compliance from a structural engineer.

For hoardings, this must be a certificate for proposed building work.

For gantries and scaffolds, this must be a certificate of design for installation and removal.

Deed of indemnity

You must submit a signed deed of indemnity that indemnifies the City of Melbourne. 

To apply for a temporary protective structure permit fill in the online form.

To start an online application, you'll need to log in with your registered customer account. Find out more about how to register and log in.

Your application must be lodged at least 10 business days before the proposed works.

You will need to attach supporting documents as part of your application

We will notify you when your application has been approved.

Your temporary protective structure must be inspected by a structural engineer after it is installed.

Every six months the structure remains in place, it must be inspected on site and recertified by your structural engineer.

You must submit certifications regularly to maintain your permit.

To amend, extend or cancel your permit, log in to City of Melbourne ServicesOpens in new tab and navigate to the My Permits page.

You can apply for a refund as part of the cancellation process. Application fees are not refundable or transferable.

If your current permit number begins with the letter 'E' (for example EGA, EHD), there is a separate procedure to extend or change your permit.

You'll need to: 

1. Create a City of Melbourne Services accountOpens in new tab (if you don't already have one). 
2. Start an application for a temporary protective structure permitOpens in new tab (you will need to log in with your City of Melbourne Services account). 
3. Answer the questions in the application form.
4. Upload your current permit document in the Supporting documents screen under Copy of endorsed plans forming Reg 116 Report and Consent approval.
5. Pay the fee and submit the application.

We'll process this permit application as an extension. You will receive a new permit number. 

To cancel your permit, email siteservices@melbourne.vic.gov.au

To apply for a refund of your permit, fill in the withdrawal and refund application formOpens in new tab

You must pay the following fees when you apply for a temporary protective structure permit:

• Application fee
• Space occupation fee.

Fees are different for hoardings or gantries and scaffolds.

Hoardings

• You must pay an application fee of $192.90.
• You must pay a space occupation fee of $2.40/m2 per day or part thereof.

Gantries and scaffolds

• You must pay an application fee of $192.90.
• You must pay a space occupation fee of $2.40/m2 per day or part thereof.
• If your gantry has a site shed, your space occupation fee is $4.80/m2 per day or part thereof.

In accordance with the Code of Practice for Building, Construction and Works, your temporary protective structures should:

• Take up the least public space necessary to conduct the works
• Allow for safe, efficient and unobscured movement past the site
• Maintain good lines of sight for all road users

Hoardings

All hoardings should:

• Enclose the work site and protect the public from activities within it
• Be appropriately designed for the site, wind loads and works
• Be constructed to a high standard with quality materials and finishes
• Be used with gantries and scaffolds to cover all structural elements on the site side
• Provide viewing windows where appropriate

Gantries

All gantries should:

• Protect pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles from falling objects
• Be appropriately designed for the site, works and imposed loads
• Be protected from the risk of or designed to remain safe from vehicle impact
• Consider adjoining properties in their placement and operation
• Be as visually open as possible
• Facilitate safe lifting operations

Scaffolds

All scaffolds should:

• Be used with a hoarding to cover structural elements on the site side and restrict access
• Be appropriately designed for the site, nature of works and imposed loads
• Be protected from the risk of or designed to remain safe from vehicle impact
• Consider adjoining properties in their placement and operation

Obstructions must not interfere with the public’s reasonable use of roads or footpaths.

This is covered in Part 10 of our Activities Local Law 2024. We are responsible for enforcing this and other local laws.