Planning a home extension in Melbourne is an exciting project that can add valuable space and functionality to your property. Most home extensions in Melbourne don't require a planning permit and can proceed directly to the building permit stage, saving both time and money.
That said, it’s always important to understand what approvals are required before any work begins. While many extensions meet residential rules and skip the planning permit stage, almost all extensions still require a building permit under the Building Act 1993 and Building Regulations 2018.
In this blog, we will learn the difference between a planning permit and a building permit, and when each applies, which will help you avoid delays, unexpected expenses, and unnecessary stress later on.
Understanding the Two Types of Permits
It's crucial to understand that planning permits and building permits serve different purposes:
-
Planning Permit: Addresses land use and how your development affects the surrounding area and neighbourhood character. Issued by your local council.
-
Building Permit: Ensures your extension meets structural, safety, and construction standards as required by the Building Act 1993 and Building Regulations 2018. Issued by a registered building surveyor.
Important: Even if your extension doesn't require a planning permit, you'll almost certainly need a building permit. The Victorian Building Authority states that all building work requires a building permit unless a specific exemption exists.
The best way to determine whether your project needs a planning permit is to contact your local council early in the planning process or engage a town planner to review your specific circumstances.
Planning Permit Requirements for Home Extensions in Melbourne
According to the Victorian Building Authority, the majority of residential extensions can proceed with just a building permit, provided they comply with standard residential development requirements.
A planning permit gives permission to develop or use land in a particular way. While planning permits may be required for new homes, major renovations, or additional dwellings on your land, many straightforward extensions fall within "as-of-right" development standards and don't need council planning approval.
When Planning Permits Are NOT Required
Most home extensions can avoid a planning permit if they stick to the standard residential rules.
That usually means keeping the correct setback from boundaries, staying within the height limits for your zone, and maintaining the required amount of garden space. The design also needs to comply with ResCode standards, sit outside heritage overlays, avoid affecting significant trees, and fit in with the surrounding neighbourhood character.
If the extension doesn’t cause major overlooking or overshadowing to neighbours, it’s even less likely to trigger planning approval.
When these conditions are met, you can generally move straight to the building permit stage — saving both time and money.
When Planning Permits ARE Required
Planning permits for home extension become necessary because:
- Involve two-storey additions that may significantly impact neighbours' privacy or overshadow their property
- Breach minimum setback requirements from boundaries
- Are located in heritage overlay areas or affect heritage buildings
- Significantly reduce the required garden area for your zone
- Are in special zones or areas with specific planning overlays
- Exceed height restrictions for your residential zone
- Create additional dwellings or substantially alter land use
Council Approval Process for Home Extensions
Once you've determined that you need a planning permit, the council approval process typically follows these steps:
Step 1: Pre-Application Consultation
Many Melbourne councils offer a pre-application service where you can discuss your proposal with a planning officer before formally submitting your application. This informal meeting can provide valuable feedback about whether your design is likely to be approved and identify any potential issues early on. While not mandatory, this step can save you time and money by avoiding costly redesigns later.
Step 2: Prepare Your Application
Your planning permit application must include detailed plans and documentation, typically including:
- Site plan showing property boundaries and existing buildings
- Floor plans of the proposed extension
- Elevations showing what the extension will look like from different angles
- A site analysis or context report
- Shadow diagrams if your extension is two storeys
- Written statement addressing how your proposal meets planning requirements
Step 3: Submit Your Application
Applications are submitted to your local council along with the required application fee. Fees vary depending on the project's value and the council, but typically range from several hundred to over a thousand dollars for residential extensions.
Step 4: Neighbour Notification
For most home extensions, council will ask you to notify nearby neighbours. This usually means sending written notice to adjoining property owners so they can review your plans. They have the opportunity to provide feedback or lodge an objection if they have concerns.
Step 5: Assessment
A council planning officer then reviews your application against the local planning scheme. They look at things like neighbourhood character, overlooking and overshadowing, design quality, and how the extension affects the area’s overall amenity.
Step 6: Decision
Council will make a decision to approve the permit (sometimes with conditions), request more information, or refuse the application. If approved, conditions may relate to materials, landscaping, privacy screening, or how construction is managed.
How Long Does Council Approval Take for a Home Extension?
The timeframe for council approval can vary, but there are standard time limits councils are expected to follow.
For a straightforward application with no neighbour objections, you can generally expect a decision within 60 days of lodgement. This is the usual statutory timeframe for most residential planning applications in Victoria.
However, a few factors can slow things down. Neighbour objections can extend the process, as the planner must review the concerns and sometimes work through possible design changes. If council requests further information, the assessment clock pauses while you prepare and submit the required details.
More complex applications, such as those in heritage areas or involving unique designs, often take longer to assess.Council workload can also affect timing, especially during busy periods, even though statutory targets still apply.
In reality, many homeowners find the process takes around 8–12 weeks from submission to decision, particularly when neighbour notification and minor revisions are involved.
If council does not make a decision within the required timeframe, you have the right to appeal to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal. However, most homeowners choose to wait for council’s decision rather than begin a formal appeal process.
Who Can Help with Council Approval for Extensions?
Navigating the planning permit process doesn't have to be overwhelming. Several professionals can assist you at different stages:
- Architects and Building Designers: These professionals can design your extension and prepare the necessary plans and documentation for your permit application. Many have extensive experience with council requirements and can design your project to meet planning regulations from the outset.
- Town Planners: A qualified town planning consultant can prepare your planning application, liaise with the council on your behalf, and provide strategic advice about planning issues. They're particularly valuable if your project is complex or likely to face objections.
- Building Surveyors: While primarily involved in the building permit process, surveyors can advise on compliance issues and coordinate with planning requirements.
- Council Planning Officers: Your local council's planning department can provide preliminary advice and answer questions about their specific requirements and processes.
- Drafting Services: For straightforward projects, a drafting service can prepare the technical plans needed for your application at a lower cost than a full architectural service.
Tips for a Smooth Approval Process
To increase your chances of a successful and timely approval:
- Engage professionals early to ensure your design complies with planning requirements
- Communicate with your neighbours before formally applying – their support can make the process smoother
- Submit a complete, well-documented application to avoid delays from information requests
- Be prepared to make reasonable modifications if the council or neighbours raise valid concerns
- Keep records of all correspondence with the council and neighbours
When Professional Help Makes the Difference
While many home extensions don’t require planning permits, the process can still feel complex. Professional support can be especially helpful in the following situations:
Scenario 1: Determining Permit Requirements
If you’re unsure whether a planning permit is needed, a town planner or building designer can review your proposal against the local planning scheme. Early advice helps you choose the right pathway from the start.
Scenario 2: Maximising Extensions Within Permit-Free Limits
Designers can create extensions that stay within “as-of-right” standards. By carefully working within setback, height and ResCode limits, they help you maximise space without triggering a planning permit.
Scenario 3: Heritage and Overlay Areas
Homes in heritage or special overlay areas usually need planning approval. An experienced planner can prepare a strong application that respects the area while still achieving your goals.
Scenario 4: Two-Storey Additions
Double-storey extensions often require planning permits due to overlooking and overshadowing. Smart design choices, like window placement and screening, can improve approval chances.
Scenario 5: Boundary-Pushing Designs
If your extension exceeds standard limits, a planning permit will be required. Professionals can prepare detailed reports and drawings to support your case and address council's concerns.
Scenario 6: Managing Neighbour Concerns
Even when a permit isn’t required, neighbour relationships matter. Thoughtful design and early communication can prevent disputes or objections.
Scenario 7: Building Permit Applications
Almost every extension requires a building permit under the Building Act 1993. A registered building surveyor reviews plans, conducts inspections and ensures compliance, as regulated by the Victorian Building Authority.
Scenario 8: Complex or Unusual Projects
Challenging sites or unique designs benefit from expert guidance. Professionals can manage technical requirements and prepare clear documentation to avoid delays later.
Conclusion
Understanding the home extension approval process in Melbourne can feel overwhelming at first. The good news is that most home extensions don’t require a planning permit, which often means you can move straight to the building permit stage and start sooner than expected.
Even so, a building permit is almost always required. This ensures your extension is structurally safe and complies with Victorian regulations set by the Victorian Building Authority.
If your home is in a heritage area or the design is more complex, the process can become more detailed. That’s where the right guidance really matters. A town planner can help navigate council requirements, a building designer can prepare compliant plans, and a registered building surveyor ensures everything meets safety standards.
At SilverPoint - Building Designers & Planning Consultants, we can make the process far smoother. With the right advice from the beginning, you can avoid delays, reduce stress, and turn your extension into an exciting improvement, not a long approval struggle.
