Dual occupancy requires more than just a good design. At SilverPoint - Building Designers & Planning Consultants, we provide an end-to-end dual occupancy services across Melbourne and Victoria, from feasibility through to planning permit and title registration.
Dual occupancy and Townhouse approvals involve zoning rules, overlays, ResCode standards and council policies that vary significantly across Melbourne. We assess what's achievable on your specific site upfront, whether it suits a tandem rear build, a side-by-side duplex, or a corner block development, and manage the entire process under one roof.
Check Your Site's Feasibility - Free 30-minute Initial Consultation
Not sure if your block qualifies? We assess your site's zoning, overlays, lot size and council requirements at no cost, so you know what's achievable before committing.
Dual Occupancy Consultant Melbourne
Our Dual Occupancy Services in Melbourne
At SilverPoint – Building Designers & Planning Consultants, we support homeowners, investors, and small developers with planning and building design managed under one roof, so every decision is made with both disciplines in mind from day one.
Our services include:
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Site feasibility zoning, overlays, lot size, covenants and title restrictions
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Building design tandem, side-by-side duplex and corner block configurations
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Town planning permit end-to-end preparation and lodgement
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ResCode and Townhouse & Low-Rise Code compliance
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Pre-application advice and council liaison
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RFI responses and objection management
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Supporting documentation, shadow diagrams, neighbourhood architectural character, drainage and traffic reports
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Two-lot subdivision and title split, coordinated in-house
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Statement of Compliance and title registration
Our Dual Occupancy Planning Process
Every successful dual occupancy begins with a clear, well-managed process. As your dedicated dual occupancy consultant, we manage every stage with full accountability, so you always know where your project stands and what comes next. Here is how we manage your project, step by step:
- Site Feasibility & Assessment – We assess your block's zoning, overlays, minimum lot size, covenants, and any site-specific constraints to determine whether dual occupancy is viable and what configuration suits best.
- Dual Occupancy Design – We prepare concept plans tailored to your block and confirmed configuration (tandem, duplex, or corner), checking ResCode standards, setbacks, private open space, and shadow requirements before any application is lodged.
- Town Planning Application – We prepare and lodge the full planning permit application with your local council. This includes architectural plans, a planning report, and any required specialist reports covering heritage, vegetation, drainage, or traffic.
- Council Liaison – We manage all correspondence with council officers and referral authorities, including responses to RFIs, information requests, and any objections from neighbours.
- Permit Issued – Once the planning permit is granted, we review all conditions with you and advise on the building permit pathway so construction can begin with complete planning certainty.
- Subdivision (Optional) – After construction, many clients choose to subdivide their dual occupancy into two separate certificates of title. We manage this as a seamless extension of the original project; there is no need to brief a separate consultant.
What Makes Us Different
SilverPoint – Building Designers & Planning Consultants brings together the expertise of a trusted town planning consultant and building designer in Melbourne. We deliver solutions for residential, commercial, and townhouse developments. We simplify council processes to ensure efficient and compliant project outcomes.
Planning and Design Under One Roof
Most dual occupancy projects stall when design and planning are handled separately. At SilverPoint – Building Designers & Planning Consultants, both disciplines sit within the same team, so every decision is made with design and planning in mind from day one. No miscommunication, no rework.
40+ Years of Industry Experience
SilverPoint – Building Designers & Planning Consultants brings four decades of town planning and building design experience across Melbourne and Victoria, with the council knowledge and professional relationships that get dual occupancy projects across the line.
Honest Feasibility Advice - At No Cost
Before committing to design or lodgement, SilverPoint – Building Designers & Planning Consultants gives you a clear, honest assessment of your site's potential. If it isn't viable, we tell you early , saving you time, money and the cost of a failed application.
VC288-Aware Fast-Track Applications
Since Amendment VC288 (October 2025), eligible applications can move through VicSmart in as little as 10 business days. SilverPoint – Building Designers & Planning Consultants assesses every project for fast-track eligibility from the outset.
Subdivision Managed In-House
SilverPoint – Building Designers & Planning Consultants manages the full subdivision process directly , one consultant, one point of contact, from planning permit through to title registration.
Strong Melbourne Council Relationships
SilverPoint – Building Designers & Planning Consultants has established relationships with local councils across Melbourne, giving us the insight to anticipate issues and minimise delays before they arise.
Areas of Expertise
- Extensions – Ground Floor & First Floor
- Residential Renovations
- Commercial Renovations
- Multi-Unit Developments
- Townhouse Developments
- Apartment Developments
- Places of Assembly (Churches, Halls, Temples, Community Centres)
- Child Care Centres
- Medical Centres
- Warehouses & Factories
Our Key Services in Melbourne
We provide a complete suite of services, managing everything from design and permits to subdivisions and council permissions, ensuring every stage is handled with efficiency, compliance, and a commitment. Below are the services we offer:
What Our Customers Say
With over four decades of expertise, we are at the forefront of innovative town planning and design solutions, transforming communities across the nation.
Idea to Reality: Our Projects Across the Suburbs
Serving Melbourne & Nearby Suburbs
We provide trusted town planning and building design consultancy across key Melbourne suburbs. Whether it’s a home extension, subdivision, or development planning, we’re here to assist.
- Mulgrave
- Ashburton
- Keysborough
- Clayton
- Box Hill
- Knoxfield
- Dandenong
- Box Hill South
- Noble Park
- Glen Waverley
- Burwood
- Vermont
- Mount Waverley
- Burwood East
- Vermont South
- Notting Hill
- Chadstone
- Wantirna
- Springvale
- Ferntree Gully
- Wantirna South
- Camberwell
- Hawthorn
- Hawthorn East
- Kew
- Balwyn
- Balwyn North
- Surrey Hills
- Canterbury
- Mont Albert
- Mont Albert North
- Richmond
- South Yarra
- Malvern
- Malvern East
- Armadale
- Toorak
- Prahran
- Glen Iris
- Ashwood
- Doncaster
- Doncaster East
- Blackburn
- Nunawading
- Mitcham
- Ringwood
- Carnegie
- Bentleigh East
- Oakleigh
- Hughesdale
- Templestowe
- Narre Warren
- Berwick
Frequently Asked Questions about Dual Occupancy
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What is the minimum land size for dual occupancy in Victoria?
There is no single statewide minimum; it depends on your zone, overlays and council policy. As a general guide, most Melbourne residential zones require around 500–600 sqm, though corner blocks and favourable dimensions can sometimes allow less. We confirm viability through a free site feasibility assessment before any work begins.
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Do I need a planning permit for dual occupancy in Melbourne?
In most cases, yes, for both the development and subdivision into two titles. Since Amendment VC288 (October 2025), eligible applications may qualify for the VicSmart fast-track pathway, with decisions returned within 10 business days. We review your exact site requirements before advising on the right permit pathway.
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How long does dual occupancy approval take in Melbourne?
VicSmart-eligible applications can be decided within 10 business days. Standard applications typically take 3–6 months depending on council workload, referrals and objections. A complete, well-prepared application is the single biggest factor in achieving a faster outcome.
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What is the difference between dual occupancy and a duplex?
A duplex is a type of dual occupancy , two attached dwellings sharing a common wall. Dual occupancy is the broader term and includes both attached and detached configurations, such as a tandem rear build. Both require a planning permit and ResCode compliance.
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Can I subdivide my dual occupancy into two separate titles?
Yes. Once construction is complete, you can apply for a two-lot subdivision to create two independent certificates of title , allowing each dwelling to be sold or held separately. We manage the subdivision in-house, so there is no need to brief a separate consultant.
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What is the VicSmart pathway for dual occupancy?
VicSmart is a streamlined planning permit pathway delivering decisions within 10 statutory business days for eligible applications. Amendment VC288 (October 2025) extended this to qualifying dual occupancy developments and two-lot subdivisions. Eligibility depends on lot size and Townhouse & Low-Rise Code compliance. We assess every project for VicSmart eligibility from day one.
