Trees provide many benefits that include:
- improving air quality
- reducing storm water runoff
- providing habitat for wildlife
- reducing stress levels
- combating climate change by reducing heat island effects
Recognising the importance of trees, Council has planning controls to protect trees and vegetation on private and public land. You can be fined if you breach these planning controls.
Find out what planning controls apply to your land by doing a property and parcel search on the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning website.
Canopy trees in residential areas
Amendment VC289 was gazetted by the Minister for Planning on 15 September 2025. The Amendment introduced Clause 52.37 into all Planning Schemes across Victoria.
From that date, you may be required to get a Planning Permit to remove a tree from your property if it is located within a residential zone, even if there are no overlays on the property.
Within Knox, the new canopy tree controls apply to land within the:
- General Residential Zone
- Residential Growth Zone
- Neighbourhood Residential Zone
- Mixed Use Zone
This is in conjunction with any other overlays that may already apply to properties which require a Permit for the removal, destruction or lopping of trees.
When is a permit required
A permit is required to remove, destroy, and lop a canopy tree over 5 metres in height, in the above residential zones:
- anywhere on a vacant lot
- where there is an existing dwelling on the land – the canopy tree is located within 6 metres of the narrowest street frontage or 4.5 metres from the rear boundary.
What is a canopy tree
A canopy tree is a tree that has:
- a height of more than 5 metres above ground level; and
- a trunk circumference of more than 0.5 metres, measured at 1.4 metres above ground level; and
- a canopy diameter of at least 4 metres.
By comparison – a single storey house with a pitched roof on a flat site is about 5 metres in height.
Are there exemptions
Download the Victorian noxious weeds list to see which dead trees and noxious and environmental weeds are exempt.
In some cases, there are exemptions for emergencies and fire prevention – this is a bit more complicated and should be discussed with the Planning Services team.
Overlays
In addition to the new tree protection rules at Clause 52.37, some trees and vegetation within Knox are protected by overlays. These overlays protect significant vegetation and landscapes.
These include:
- Vegetation Protection Overlay (VPO)
- Significant Landscape Overlay (SLO)
- Environmental Significance Overlay (ESO)
It’s a good idea to talk to us before commencing any construction works or vegetation removal due to the complexity of these planning controls. You should confirm the permit requirements with us.
Large sites over 4000m2
Clause 52.17 of the Knox Planning Scheme protects native vegetation on large sites over 4000m2 in area, regardless of the zoning of the land.
A permit is required to remove, destroy or lop native vegetation, including dead vegetation. Some exemptions do apply – this is complex, and it's best to contact our Planning Services team for advice.
Previous development
Trees and plants on land with previous development are protected through the plans that were approved at the time. For example:
- dual occupancy development
- multi-unit development
This includes landscape plans.
In this case, Council must give you written approval or you'll need to amend the plans.
Contact our Planning Services team before you start.
Replacement planting
If Council decides to issue a planning permit, there will be a requirement for replacement planting.
Apply for a permit
Planning Services need specific information to process your application for tree removal or pruning. You will need to provide:
- a site plan and/or photographs that show the location of trees to be removed, as well as proposed replacement planting.
- a cover letter explaining why the tree is proposed to be removed, including details of any related buildings and works proposed on the land, where applicable.
- a written statement from a suitably qualified person like an arborist, on the health/condition of the tree if you are seeking to remove or lop the tree due to its health or stability.
Use our Tree Removal and Pruning checklist to see what other information we may need.
To lodge a planning application online, you must be a registered user.
Apply for a tree removal or pruning permit
Planning permit applications can also be lodged at the Council offices.
Knox City Council
511 Burwood Hwy, Wantirna South VIC 3152
Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm
Bushfire prevention
If you own property in high-risk areas, you'll probably need to prepare a bushfire management plan.
This might mean thinking about removing trees or native vegetation.
If you're in this position, our Planning Services team can help.
Need help?
Contact Planning Services and we will get back to you.
Or call our Planning Services team on 9298 8125.
