07 — Planning Permit
Planning Permit in Melbourne — When & How
A planning permit is council's approval that a development fits the planning scheme. It is required for most multi-dwelling projects, subdivisions, and many single dwellings in overlay areas. Knowing whether your address needs one — and what triggers it — is the first test of any Melbourne development.
When You Need a Planning Permit
The triggers come from two places: the zone and the overlays. In most residential zones, two or more dwellings need a permit under Clause 55, and subdivision needs one under Clause 56. A single dwelling may need a permit in zones where it is discretionary, or where an overlay applies.
- Two or more dwellings on a lot (Clause 55)
- Subdivision of land (Clause 56)
- Dwellings in some zones and all non-residential uses
- Overlay triggers — heritage, vegetation, flood, landslip, significant landscape, neighbourhood character
- Removal of protected trees, alterations to a heritage building, or changes to a flood-affected site
How the Council Process Works
The application is lodged with the council with plans, a written assessment and supporting reports (arborist, traffic or flood where relevant). Council may advertise the application to neighbours, then issues a decision. If refused, there is a review pathway through VCAT.
The quality of the application determines the outcome: councils approve far faster when the site analysis, setbacks and amenity responses are already worked through.
Timelines and Costs
Statutory assessment is 60 business days for a two-dwelling application, with extra time for advertising and any requests for information. Larger townhouse projects and subdivisions take longer. Council application fees are set by the state and depend on the number of lots and the development value.
A feasibility report identifies the permit triggers for your address before you pay a cent in application fees — so you know the full scope early.
How a Building Designer Prepares the Application
We prepare the plans and the written assessment together, because the two must agree. The design responds to the site analysis, the setback standards, garden area and the neighbourhood character policy — which is what council assesses. A well-prepared application is the shortest path to a permit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a single house need a planning permit in Melbourne?
In most residential zones a single dwelling is as-of-right and does not need a permit — unless an overlay applies, such as heritage or significant landscape, or the dwelling is in a zone where it is discretionary.
How long does a planning permit take in Melbourne?
The statutory period is 60 business days for two-dwelling applications, plus advertising and information requests. Expect 3–6 months in total for a straightforward dual occupancy.
What happens if my permit is refused?
You can apply for a review of the decision at VCAT within 60 days. Many refusals are resolved by amending the application to respond to the council's concerns.
Can I start building before the planning permit is issued?
No — the planning permit must be issued before the building permit. Construction before planning approval risks enforcement action and the work having to be altered or removed.
04 — Start a Project
Contact & Inquiry
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