The Metropolitan Region Scheme (MRS) defines the future use of land and provides the legal basis for planning in the Perth metropolitan region, dividing it into broad zones and reservations. It requires local government town planning schemes to provide detailed plans for their part of the region, consistent with the MRS.

The Metropolitan Region Scheme (MRS) uses maps and a scheme text. The scheme text provides planning rules for zones and reservations, which are shown on the maps in their respective colours and patterns.