Permits & Community Protection

A local laws permit, camping permit, or footpath trading permit are required to ensure activities like camping, trading on footpaths, or certain other activities on Council land do not impact public safety, create nuisances, or unduly affect the area's amenity. These permits help maintain a safe and pleasant environment for everyone.

For more information about the different types of permits, click on the tabs below.

The Mansfield Shire Council Local Laws makes provision for residents to apply for a Local Law permit when the activity they wish to undertake is not permitted without approval of a Local Law permit. The purpose of Local Law permits is to regulate certain activities to ensure they do not impact on the safety of the public, create a nuisance or unduly affect the amenity of the area.

A local law permit may be required for a number of reasons. Ultimately, it will be required anywhere an activity is not permitted without approval of a Local Law permit.

A few reasons that you may need a local law permit include:

  • Fundraising/raffles
  • Busking
  • Market on Council Land or in a public place

You will need this permit if you intend to camp, keep or use a caravan on any land that is not designated as a camping ground or caravan park. This permit may be required for camping on public or private land.

Camping includes occupying or sleeping in a tent, vehicle, mobile home, caravan, or any other temporary or makeshift structure. This includes camping as part of an event.

Footpath trading is an important part of the local retail culture, which enhances the atmosphere of our community. We’re committed to supporting footpath traders, but we must balance this with the need to provide a safe environment for all.

Temporary Closure of Permitting Portal

As part of the implementation of Mansfield Shire Council’s new Community Local Laws, our permitting portal will be down for roughly two weeks from the start of July while we update our system.

During this brief down time, we kindly request that applicants email their applications directly to Council at local.laws@mansfield.vic.gov.au so we can process them manually. 

We expect that there will be minimal impact on applicants during this period and thank you all for your cooperation as we complete the work to implement the new Community Local Laws.