The Casey Community Local Law 2025 covers a range of everyday issues that affect how we live together and use shared spaces.
This section highlights the most common questions we get from residents, businesses and visitors. It's a great place to start if you're unsure about the rules.
- Pet and animal limits
There are limits on the number of animals you can keep on your property, depending on the size of your land.
These limits are in place to help minimise noise, odours, and other potential disturbances for your neighbours.
If you wish to keep more animals than the allowed limit, you must apply for an excess animal permit. To find out more about the regulations for keeping different types of animals—such as dogs, cats, poultry, and birds—on private property, please visit Permits for excess animals.
- Unsightly and dangerous land
As an owner or resident, you must not allow your land to become unsightly or be used in a way that is detrimental to the look and feel of the surrounding area. You must also not allow your land to become dangerous, meaning that it could cause harm or injury.
The Local Law includes definitions of what is considered unsightly or detrimental to amenity, such as excessive rubbish, more than two unregistered, broken or dismantled vehicles, overgrown weeds or grass or graffiti on the outside of fences.
- Overlength grass and noxious weeds
Grass on private land must not exceed 30cm in height, and noxious weeds are not permitted. Long grass can make a property look untidy, pose a fire risk, or create an environment where vermin or snakes can thrive.
To assist with weed identification, Council has developed a weed identification guide.
- Shipping containers
If you plan to keep or use a shipping container on your property, you need to ensure it does not negatively impact the amenity of the neighbourhood. Amenity refers to the overall look, feel and enjoyment of an area – things like visual appeal, safety and neighbours' ability to enjoy their surroundings.
Under Victorian law (Building Act 1993), shipping containers used for storage or accommodation are considered building structures and therefore require a building permit.
If the container will hold commercial-related items on residential land, a planning permit may also be needed. Planning and building legislation also applies.
It's always best to check with Council first to understand what permits apply.
- Temporary accommodation (caravans/tents, etc.)
You can live in temporary accommodation, such as a tent or caravan, on private land for up to two consecutive months, provided it doesn't cause a nuisance or adversely affect the area. In response to community concerns, Council Officers may act if the use causes problems for neighbours or impacts the area's amenity.
To use temporary accommodation for more than two months, you must apply for a private land use permit.
Council can then assess the situation based on factors such as how long the caravan or temporary structure will be used, the condition of the accommodation, the impact on neighbours, and access to facilities.
As part of ensuring safe living conditions, Council strongly recommends installing working detectors in all caravans and temporary structures.
Vehicles, tents, caravans, or temporary structures and accommodation must not be set up, placed or lived in on Council land, public places, or roads without a public land use permit.
- Long and heavy vehicles
In residential areas, you must not keep heavy vehicles (e.g., trucks) on your land without a permit. A heavy vehicle is classed as a vehicle longer than 7.5 metres or with a Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) over 4.5 tonnes.
This rule helps prevent noise, damage to roads and Council assets, and protects neighbourhood amenity.
More information on applying for a permit is on the Long or heavy vehicle parking permit page.
Note: Registered motorhomes, caravans and boat trailers are not included in this rule.
- Recreational vehicle use
Recreational vehicles, such as motorbikes and minibikes, can only be used on private land without a permit if the use is in accordance with the Environment Protection Regulations 2021 and doesn't cause problems for neighbours.
The EPA noise rules allow use during the hours:
- Weekdays 7:00 am to 8:00 pm
- Weekends and public holidays 9:00 am to 8:00 pm
They must not disturb people, block or endanger anyone, damage property, or cause a nuisance to neighbours. If your use goes beyond casual riding, such as regular use, group activities or riding during prohibited times, you may need a private land use permit to ensure compliance with amenity standards. Should Council receive a complaint from a member of the public, you may also be asked to apply for a private land use permit.
The permit process allows Council to consider each application carefully and, where appropriate, set tailored conditions.
Recreational vehicles being driven in public places that are obstructing, hindering, endangering any person, causing damage to property or causing a nuisance should be referred to Victoria Police if happening at the time of the call.
- Busking, fundraising and promotional activities
Busking, fundraising, asking for subscriptions, or running promotional activities on roads or Council land is not allowed without a permit.
If you want to undertake these activities, you must apply for a public land use permit.
- Festivals, processions and events
A festival, procession, or event must not be held on a road, public place, or Council land without approval.
Public safety is the primary concern for festivals and events, and some events require approval to proceed.
For more information, read our Events approval process. There's a form for the Events Team to assess your application and determine whether your event requires our formal approval process.
- Open-air burning
In most cases, you are not allowed to light a fire in the open air unless you have a permit from Council.
The only exceptions are:
- Fires (barbecues) lit on private land for cooking food.
- Fires lit on private land in a brazier, or chiminea for heating.
- Fires on a reserve if they are in a Council-provided barbecue or in a portable gas barbecue.
This rule is in place to reduce the risk of fires spreading, protect property and lives, and prevent smoke from causing problems for neighbours.
A permit to burn is primarily for larger properties and farmland that wish to have a controlled burn-off to remove tree cuttings, harvest stubble, and vegetation.
Council does not issue permits to residents in built-up residential areas. Permits for open-air burning will not be issued during the declared Fire Danger Period.
- Business and trading
Conducting business in public spaces, including roadside trading and placing goods for sale, signage or furniture on the footpath, requires approval from Council to ensure the safety of patrons and pedestrians.
Council has a dedicated Business Permit Support Service that can help you identify what permits your business needs and guide you through the application process.
- Asset Protection Permit
Before starting any building works (including site deliveries), the owner, builder or appointed agent must obtain an Asset Protection Permit from Council, unless Council confirms in writing that the works are considered minor and pose no risk to community assets. All building works that require a building permit also require an Asset Protection Permit.
This process helps protect Council assets and ensures works are managed appropriately, which is a positive outcome for all parties involved.