Character Areas
Vincent is a diverse and character-rich inner-city area, with residential development dating back to the 1880s. More than a century of development has shaped the City’s urban form, creating streetscapes that reflect different periods of Perth’s architectural history.
As Vincent continues to experience development pressure, the City recognises the importance of protecting and enhancing the unique character of its established residential areas.
A Character Area is a street, precinct or group of places with a recognisable and valued streetscape character. This can include consistent patterns of built form, building scale, landscaping and other features that contribute to the identity of an area.
Character Areas are not necessarily places of cultural heritage significance. Instead, they are identified for their visual coherence and community value, with planning controls designed to maintain the established streetscape pattern and appearance.
Character Area Guidelines
The Local Planning Policy: Character Area Guidelines were approved under delegation by the Western Australian Planning Commission on 20 July 2026 and came into effect on 1 August 2026.
The policy guidelines establish development standards and local housing objectives to help ensure new residential development responds appropriately to the established characteristics of valued residential areas.
It can influence how a site is developed, making it relevant to both the community and property owners, designers and developers. The policy also provides an opportunity for residents to nominate a street or area to be considered for recognition as a Character Area.
This gives the community an active role in identifying the streetscape characteristics they value and recommending what they would like to see protected for the future.
Local Planning Policy: Character Area Guidelines
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Local Planning Policy: Character Guidelines?
Local Planning Policy: Character Area Guidelines establishes a framework to identify areas within the City that contain characteristics that are valued by the community and provides guidance for development within identified character areas.
What's the difference between a Character Area and a Heritage Area?
A Character Area is a street, precinct or group of places that exhibits a recognisable and valued streetscape character (from consistent built form, scale and landscape elements).
While not necessarily of cultural heritage significance, these areas are identified for their visual coherence and community value, with planning controls focused on maintaining the established streetscape pattern and appearance.
A Heritage Area is a street, precinct, or group of places that possesses cultural heritage significance, warranting conservation and enhancement.
These areas reflect important historic, aesthetic or social values, and typically demonstrate a cohesive physical form associated with a particular period or periods of development.
Planning controls for Heritage Areas prioritise the retention of significant fabric and heritage values.
A Heritage Area has a greater level of statutory protection under the City’s Local Planning Scheme No. 2 (LPS2) compared to a Character Area. This includes requiring planning approval for demolition of a property in a Heritage Area.
For more information about Heritage Areas, visit our Heritage Places page.
How do I nominate an area?
Getting your area recognised under the policy involves a four step process:
- Consult with your neighbours to gain support, you will need 40 per cent support from the affected residents and owners
- Nominate your area using the nomination form below and submit your application to the City by emailing [email protected]
- Work together with the City to prepare Character Area Guidelines
- Approval of the guidelines by Council
Character Area Nomination Form