Overlays

Overlays are used to identify risks and factors that can affect land use and development.

For example, land that is subject to flooding or storm surge.

If an overlay applies to your land, you might need to meet extra development requirements when you want to build.

How overlays work

Overlays are made up of two components:

• special development requirements
• a map showing where the requirements apply.

Overlay and zone requirements

Overlay requirements override zone requirements.

This means an overlay can do any of the following:

• change when you need planning permission
• apply extra development requirements
• require a different standard from the usual development requirements.

Read more about how overlays work in part 3 of the NT Planning Scheme PDF (457.0 KB).

Check if an overlay applies

You should always check if an overlay applies to your land:

• when you plan your development and
• before you submit your application.

To find out if an overlay applies to your land, you can:

• use the ‘overlays’ layer on NT Atlas
• contact a planner at Development Assessment Services.

Even if your land is within an area identified for an overlay, it may not apply to your development.

If your land is identified within an overlay area, read the detail of the relevant overlay to see if it affects your development.