Dual Occupancy Feasibility — Melbourne

What Dual Occupancy Means in Victoria

In Victoria, a dual occupancy is two dwellings on one lot. The two common forms are two separate dwellings that share a title (often with a restriction or owners corporation), or a subdivision into two lots so each dwelling has its own title. Both are assessed under Clause 55 of the ResCode, and subdivision is assessed under Clause 56.

Dual occupancy feasibility in Melbourne is driven by the minimum lot size in the zone schedule, the garden area requirement, car parking, access, and the site's physical constraints — width, slope, trees and easements.

The Council Rules That Decide Feasibility

The critical number is the minimum lot size in the schedule to your zone. Many Melbourne zones (such as NRZ and GRZ) have schedules that allow two lots around 250–350 m² each, but some areas require larger lots, and a handful of residential zones restrict subdivision to a single lot.

Beyond lot size, Clause 55 sets garden area (typically 35% of the site in GRZ, or per the schedule), private open space, parking, and neighbourhood character. Tree protection overlays and heritage controls in suburbs like Balwyn, Camberwell and Surrey Hills can remove the opportunity entirely.

Which Melbourne Sites Suit a Dual Occupancy

Good dual occupancy sites are usually at least 500–600 m² with a frontage of 15 m or more, a gentle slope, and no difficult easements crossing the building area. Corner blocks are popular because they allow a second crossover and better access.

We check the address-level data for you: parcel area, frontage, zone, overlays, easements, site levels and street trees — the same information councils use when they assess the permit.

• Frontage wide enough for two crossovers or a shared driveway
• Site area that satisfies the zone schedule's minimum lot size
• No heritage or vegetation overlays that block a second dwelling
• Sewer and water services that can serve two connections

Cost and Return Expectations

A dual occupancy typically costs less per dwelling than a house-and-land package because the land cost is shared. Your feasibility report gives an indicative build cost range based on the recommended floor area, so you can compare the two-dwelling return against the single-dwelling alternative before committing.

Frequently Asked Questions

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