Tree removal permits in the Dandenong Ranges

Start with your property report

Every rule on this page depends on the zone and overlays that cover your block, and two blocks in the same street can differ. The free VicPlan property report lists them.

1. Open VicPlan and search for your address.
2. Ask it for the planning property report.
3. Note the zone, each overlay, and whether the block is in a designated Bushfire Prone Area.

Then find your overlays below. Each code ends in a schedule number, and the number matters: SLO1 and SLO22 are different rules with different numbers.

Yarra Ranges

It covers most of the hills. The council's own advice is that removing a tree from private land needs a planning permit unless it is exempt, and its planning department takes calls on 1300 368 333.

SLO1, SLO3, SLO5 and SLO6: the ranges and the rural hills

A permit for native vegetation of any size, and for any tree more than 1.1 m around the trunk at 1.3 m above the ground. Not needed for vegetation whose base is within 4 m of a building, for dead vegetation, for pruning that takes no more than a third of a plant's foliage for its health, or for species on the council's List of Environmental Weeds 2019.

SLO22: the townships

A permit for indigenous vegetation of any size, and for any tree more than 50 cm around at 1.3 m, which is nearly every established tree. Not needed within 2 m of a building, for dead vegetation, for pruning that helps a plant regrow, or for listed environmental weeds. Where we sampled, it covered most of Belgrave, Upwey, Mount Evelyn and Montrose, and parts of Monbulk.

SLO23: the foothill suburbs

A permit for any tree more than 80 cm around (26 cm across) at 1.3 m. Unlike SLO1 and SLO22, it doesn't cover smaller native plants. Not needed for a tree whose base is within 2 m of a building, for dead trees, for lopping that helps a tree regrow, or for listed environmental weeds. Our samples found it over most of Kilsyth's streets.

ESO1: environmental significance

A permit for native vegetation. Exotic plants, listed weeds and anything within 4 m of a building are exempt. So is dead vegetation, except a standing dead tree more than 1.3 m around, which still needs a permit even where a landscape overlay on the same block would let it go.

EMO and EMO3: erosion

These mark ground prone to landslip, and a permit is needed for vegetation in general. Not needed for a tree 50 cm or less around at 1.3 m, within 2 m of a building, for dead vegetation where the ground is made good, or for lopping that improves a tree's health or stability. EMO4, the debris-flow schedule, needs no permit for vegetation.

ESO2

Needs no permit to remove vegetation, alive or dead. We found it across much of Mount Evelyn.

The council explains the exemptions on its page about removing a tree on private land.

Checked 7 October 2026 against Yarra Ranges Planning Scheme, Schedule 1 to Clause 42.03 (SLO1), Yarra Ranges Planning Scheme, Schedule 3 to Clause 42.03 (SLO3), Yarra Ranges Planning Scheme, Schedule 5 to Clause 42.03 (SLO5), Yarra Ranges Planning Scheme, Schedule 6 to Clause 42.03 (SLO6), Yarra Ranges Planning Scheme, Schedule 22 to Clause 42.03 (SLO22), Yarra Ranges Planning Scheme, Schedule 23 to Clause 42.03 (SLO23), Yarra Ranges Planning Scheme, Schedule 1 to Clause 42.01 (ESO1), Yarra Ranges Planning Scheme, Schedule 2 to Clause 42.01 (ESO2), Yarra Ranges Planning Scheme, Schedule to Clause 44.01 (EMO), Yarra Ranges Planning Scheme, Schedule 3 to Clause 44.01 (EMO3), Yarra Ranges Planning Scheme, Schedule 4 to Clause 44.01 (EMO4) and Yarra Ranges Council: removing a tree on private land.

Knox

The Basin and Ferntree Gully, most of Upper Ferntree Gully, and a corner of Sassafras. Away from the suburban streets nearly every point we sampled had a landscape overlay, and all four of Knox's use the same tree test.

SLO1, SLO2, SLO3 and SLO4: the foothills

A permit for any tree 5 m tall or more, or more than 50 cm around measured 50 cm above the ground (on the uphill side, on a slope). Not needed for a tree whose trunk is within 2 m of the main roof of a home, for the part of a tree hanging over a home's roof, for pruning up to a third of a branch's foliage, or for the species each schedule lists (SLO1 and SLO4 exempt Monterey pine unless it is in a row of three or more). Dead trees are exempt unless they are standing and 40 cm or more around at 1.3 m. In our samples SLO4 covered half of The Basin, SLO2 most of the Knox side of Upper Ferntree Gully, and SLO3 and SLO2 about two in five points in Ferntree Gully.

VPO4: canopy trees

A permit for native vegetation and for five trees from outside Victoria, among them lemon-scented gum, red-flowering gum and brush box. Not needed for a tree under 5 m tall with less than 50 cm of girth, or within 2 m of a home's main roof. The schedule has no exemption for dead trees. We found it in parts of Ferntree Gully.

VPO1

A permit for native vegetation, unless it is both under 5 m tall and under 50 cm around. The same 2 m and overhanging-roof exemptions as SLO2. Proclaimed weeds are exempt, and so are four listed species, sweet pittosporum among them.

ESO3 and ESO2: creeks and bushland

A permit for vegetation indigenous to Knox, with no exemption for trees near the house. Under ESO3, dead vegetation is exempt unless it is a standing tree 40 cm or more across at 1.3 m; ESO2 has no dead-tree exemption. Each covered about half of The Basin in our samples.

The council's page on tree removal and pruning covers the canopy-tree rule as well.

Checked 7 October 2026 against Knox Planning Scheme, Schedule 1 to Clause 42.03 (SLO1), Knox Planning Scheme, Schedule 2 to Clause 42.03 (SLO2), Knox Planning Scheme, Schedule 3 to Clause 42.03 (SLO3), Knox Planning Scheme, Schedule 4 to Clause 42.03 (SLO4), Knox Planning Scheme, Schedule 4 to Clause 42.02 (VPO4), Knox Planning Scheme, Schedule 1 to Clause 42.02 (VPO1), Knox Planning Scheme, Schedule 3 to Clause 42.01 (ESO3), Knox Planning Scheme, Schedule 2 to Clause 42.01 (ESO2) and Knox City Council: tree removal and pruning.

Cardinia

Emerald, Cockatoo, Gembrook, Clematis, Avonsleigh and Nangana, and part of Menzies Creek.

SLO1, VPO1, VPO2 and ESO1

No minimum size: any vegetation needs a permit unless an exemption covers it. The exemptions that matter most around a house are the state's 10/30 rule; the part of a tree hanging over a home's roof, where removing it is needed for fire protection; anything within 6 m of an existing house on a lot smaller than 0.4 ha (about an acre); normal pruning that leaves the plant in place; and the environmental weeds the schedules list, including blackberry, sweet pittosporum and holly.

Dead trees

Exempt only once a council officer has assessed them as suitable for removal. Standing dead trees 40 cm or more across at 1.3 m are not exempt at all.

VPO3, the Emerald town centre

Any vegetation, including the hedges along the Belgrave-Gembrook Road. The same exemptions, except the 6 m one near a house.

SLO4, the Menzies Creek valley

Any vegetation. Its only listed exemption is sweet pittosporum, beside the state-wide ones.

SLO1 in two councils

Cardinia's SLO1 is the Puffing Billy corridor, a different schedule from Yarra Ranges' SLO1. Check which council your property report names.

The council warns that fines apply when vegetation is removed without a permit that was needed. Its vegetation removal page walks through the checks.

Checked 7 October 2026 against Cardinia Planning Scheme, Schedule 1 to Clause 42.03 (SLO1), Cardinia Planning Scheme, Schedule 1 to Clause 42.02 (VPO1), Cardinia Planning Scheme, Schedule 2 to Clause 42.02 (VPO2), Cardinia Planning Scheme, Schedule 1 to Clause 42.01 (ESO1), Cardinia Planning Scheme, Schedule 3 to Clause 42.02 (VPO3), Cardinia Planning Scheme, Schedule 4 to Clause 42.03 (SLO4) and Cardinia Shire Council: vegetation removal.

Maroondah

Kilsyth South and the western edge of Kilsyth. Your property report says which overlay, if any, covers your block.

SLO1

A permit to remove vegetation. Not needed for a tree under 5 m tall with a trunk under 50 cm around at 1 m, for pruning to help a tree regrow or to shape it, for a tree a suitably qualified person has declared dead, dying or dangerous, for a tree within 3 m of an existing house or other building, or for the weeds the schedule lists.

VPO1

A permit for native vegetation, and for dead or fallen trees that give native animals a place to nest or roost, or are likely to.

SLO4

Like SLO1, a permit to remove vegetation, with the same small-tree, pruning and dead-or-dangerous exemptions. The near-house exemption is 3 m from a dwelling, not from a shed or garage, and the listed weeds are exempt only on land under 2,000 m². We found it on the homes at Kilsyth's north-western edge.

The council's planning team answers on 1300 88 22 33, and its page on tree and native vegetation removal lists every control.

Checked 7 October 2026 against Maroondah Planning Scheme, Schedule 1 to Clause 42.03 (SLO1), Maroondah Planning Scheme, Schedule 1 to Clause 42.02 (VPO1), Maroondah Planning Scheme, Schedule 4 to Clause 42.03 (SLO4) and Maroondah City Council: tree and native vegetation removal.

State rules, in every council

The 10/30 rule

In a Bushfire Prone Area, around a house built before 10 September 2009, trees within 10 m and other vegetation within 30 m can be cleared whatever the overlays say. The conditions are on the 10/30 page.

Canopy trees

In the residential zones (General, Neighbourhood, Residential Growth, Mixed Use, Township, and Housing Choice and Transport), a permit is needed to remove a canopy tree: one at least 5 m tall with a canopy at least 4 m across. On a lot with a house, that only applies when the trunk is within 6 m of the narrowest street frontage or 4.5 m of the rear boundary. Dead canopy trees are exempt. The Low Density Residential and Green Wedge zones, which cover much of the hills, are not in the list. The clause was last changed on 24 September 2026, so an older guide may describe it differently.

Native vegetation

Removing native vegetation needs a permit under the state's own clause as well, but not on land under 0.4 ha, counting any land next to it that you also own.

Checked 7 October 2026 against Victoria Planning Provisions, Clause 52.12 (bushfire protection exemptions), Victoria Planning Provisions, Clause 52.37 (canopy trees) and Victoria Planning Provisions, Clause 52.17 (native vegetation).

Exemptions every overlay shares

• Immediate risk. Vegetation that is an immediate risk of injury or damage can be removed without the overlay's permit, but only the part that is the risk. After a storm, take the danger away and leave the rest for an assessment.
• Declared noxious weeds. Blackberry is one, and landowners in the Port Phillip and Western Port catchment, which takes in these hills, must control it.

Checked 7 October 2026 against Victoria Planning Provisions, Clause 42.03 (Significant Landscape Overlay), Victoria Planning Provisions, Clause 42.02 (Vegetation Protection Overlay), Victoria Planning Provisions, Clause 42.01 (Environmental Significance Overlay), Victoria Planning Provisions, Clause 44.01 (Erosion Management Overlay) and Agriculture Victoria: blackberry.

If you need a permit

Apply to the council for your land. Cardinia's schedules, for one, ask for a plan of the site and details of each tree, including its species and trunk size. Under a landscape, vegetation or environmental overlay, one tree can go through VicSmart, the state's faster track, if no VicSmart tree permit has been granted on your land in the last 12 months and no other is under way.

When you ask a local arborist for a quote, say if the tree may need a permit, and ask about an arborist's report.

Checked 7 October 2026 against Victoria Planning Provisions, Clause 42.03 (Significant Landscape Overlay), Victoria Planning Provisions, Clause 42.02 (Vegetation Protection Overlay), Victoria Planning Provisions, Clause 42.01 (Environmental Significance Overlay) and Cardinia Planning Scheme, Schedule 1 to Clause 42.03 (SLO1).