Text Size

Preparing an Application

To properly make a planning application, a developer must submit the following:

Correct and fully completed application form;
Full fee for the type of development proposed;
Proof of legal right to the land (e.g., title or lease);
Site location plan; and
Detailed proposed site plan/s.
Any other information required to describe the site or proposal (as per following information).

Applications are made by completing an application form, and submitting the appropriate number of copies to the appropriate authority with plans and information about the proposed development. The following sections provide more details about the information and number of copies required for each type of application. An application form must be completed in the name of the person (or people) who owns or leases the land, and signed by them. All applications require the written endorsement of the landowner, if this is not the applicant.
Specific advice about the information required for any particular application may be obtained prior to lodgement from the relevant authority. Additional information may be requested during the application assessment.

♦ Outline Application for Development

To properly make an Outline Application for Development Permission, a developer must prepare and submit the following:

Three (3) copies of a completed and signed Application for Development Permission form;
Three (3) copies of proof of ownership or lease for the land;
Three (3) copies of a site location plan;
For an Outline Building application:
Three (3) copies of a correct-to-scale site diagram showing existing and proposed buildings and their existing and proposed uses, and
If any building is proposed, three (3) copies of building plans and elevations drawn to scale.
For an Outline Master Plan application;
Three (3) copies of a master plan for the site, showing the areas and types of development proposed and indicated the development stages.
If a Comprehensive Development is proposed, a planning report describing the site characteristics and development concept.
Full, correct fee based on the value of the development.

Download Application Form

(Notice : To view PDF files you require Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you do not already have this viewer click here to download Abode Acrobat Reader. )

♦ Detailed Application for Development
To properly make an Application for Development Permission, a developer must submit the following:

Three (3) copies of a completed and signed Application for Development Permission form;
Three (3) copies of proof of ownership or lease for the land;
Three (3) copies of a site location plan;
Three (3) copies of a correct-to-scale oriented site diagram showing existing and proposed buildings and their existing and proposed uses, and giving area and boundary measurements and the distances between structures and boundaries.
If any building is proposed or the new use of an existing building, three (3) copies of building plans and elevations drawn to scale; and
Full, correct fee, based on the value of the development.

Applications are made by completing an application form, and submitting it to the appropriate authority with plans and information about the proposed development. All applications require the written endorsement of the landowner, if this is not the applicant.
If the application is submitted simultaneously with an Application for Permission to Build, two (2) copies of the required structural drawings and particulars must also be submitted. Information about Lodging a Detailed Development Application is included in the Application Lodgement section of this website.

Download Application Form

(Notice : To view PDF files you require Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you do not already have this viewer click here to download Abode Acrobat Reader. )

♦ Application for Rezoning
To properly make a Rezoning Application, a developer must submit the following:

Three (3) copies of a completed and signed Application for Development Permission form stating Rezoning from ___ to ___' as the purpose of the development;
Three (3) copies of proof of ownership or lease for the land;
Three (3) copies of a site location plan;
If the rezoning is for a single lot or small area:
Three (3) copies of a correct-to-scale site diagram showing any existing and proposed buildings and their existing and proposed uses;
If the rezoning is for a large area or to create a special use zone:
Three (3) copies of a concept plan; and
Full, correct fee, based on the type of rezoning.

Download Application form

(Notice : To view PDF files you require Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you do not already have this viewer click here to download Abode Acrobat Reader. )

♦ Application for Subdivision
To properly make an Application for Subdivision, a developer must submit the following:

Seven (7) copies of a completed and signed Approval of Plan of Subdivision form;
A copy of document(s) showing proof or ownership or lease for the land;
A site location plan;
Seven (7) copies of a correct-to-scale oriented scheme plan for the subject land, coloured as follows:

If development?	Refer to?
Limit of land affected	Edged red
Existing road, path or accessway	Burnt sienna (brown)
Proposed road, path or accessway	Pink
Proposed drainage easements or creeks	Blue
Proposed reserves	Green
Proposed allotment boundaries	Edged yellow
Existing tramline	Purple

A covering letter to the Director of Town & Country Planning;
Full, correct fees, based on the number of proposed lots.

♦ Supporting Information
In some cases, authorities may require additional information about the proposed development in order to properly consider it. This may include technical details about proposed infrastructure or evidence that affected parties are aware of the application. This information may be required by the local authority or by the Department of Town & Country Planning, or by another agency to which the application has been referred.

Some of the most frequently requested types of supporting information are described here, but specific advice about the information that is likely to be required for an application may be obtained prior to lodgement from the local authority or the Department. Applicants should note that additional information may be requested at any time during the assessment process.

♦♦ Owner Endorsement
When an application is being made by any person or organisation who is not the landowner (such as a leaseholder or a prospective purchaser), the written endorsement of the landowner is required prior to any approval being granted. This is to ensure that the landowner is aware of, and consents to, the proposed change to their land. In the case of land that is the subject of a lease, applicants should be aware that any approval (whether for development, subdivision or rezoning) may require changes to their lease, rates or premium.

♦♦ Neighbour Comments
In the case of developments that request or require a relaxation to, or amendment of, normal development requirements (relaxations, conditional developments or rezoning), the public impact of the change may be a consideration. In such cases, the comments of neighbours or nearby landowners may be sought by the assessing authority. This is to ensure that the people who may be affected are aware of the proposal, and to identify any concerns they may have so these can be addressed. A situation when neighbour comments are frequently sought is when applications request a side or rear yard (building line) relaxations where the amenity of neighbouring properties may be affected.

♦♦ Percolation Test Results
Percolation tests are undertaken to determine the capacity of a site to manage sewage disposal by septic tank. Percolation testing assesses the drainage capability of the soil, and determines how much yard are is required for soakage. The results of such a test are frequently required prior to approval if an application for development in a built-up area such as a city or town that is not connected to a public sewer involves ?ver-development' of the site (requiring relaxation of plot ratio requirements).

♦♦ Technical Specifications
Some technical details are standard requirements with applications (such as the design and construction standards of roading within subdivisions). When new or different standards or solutions are proposed as part of a development, however, additional technical information may be required for assessment by the relevant authorities. Methods of water supply and treatment, for example, when PWD supply is not available, must be evaluated and approved by the Central Board of Health. In this case, it may be necessary for an applicant to provide specific details of the proposed supply, such as tests on the quality of borehole water, or specifications about desalination equipment. This information is assessed by technical experts in the relevant agencies, whose input informs the decision made by the local authority or Department as assessing authority for the development.

♦♦ Environmental Impact Assessment Report
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is the main tool of the Environment Management Act . Its purpose to identify and minimise the negative environmental impacts of proposed developments. An EIA is legally required when any proposed development that will physically alter the nature of land is likely to cause significant environmental or resource management impact'. The Act identifies a range of EIA must be carried out and a.

The main outcome of the EIA is an EIA Report that sets out and analyses the information found. This may include technical data about the current environment and about the projected impacts of the development. The conclusions of the Report will incorporate recommendations about the proposal, including any protection plans, mitigation measures or monitoring programmes necessary to manage the environmental effects of the development. Common recommendations are for the preparation of a Construction Environment Management Plan (CEMP) and/or an Operational Environment Management Plan (OEMP) to control potential impacts.
More information about the EIA process is in the Other Approvals section of this website.

♦♦ Other Studies and Reports
Occasionally it may be necessary for other studies and reports to support an applicant's proposal for development, subdivision, or rezoning. This is rarely necessary for single-site development applications when the development is Permitted or Conditional in the zone, but may be necessary for large sites, complex developments, remote or prominent locations. Studies and reports may include:

Traffic impact study
Retail analysis
Coastal process investigation
Landscape or view assessment

In almost all cases, the information required represent the type of work that developers should already have undertaken in considering the feasibility or preparing the detailed design of the proposal.

Scroll To Top

Preparing an Application

Developing in Fiji