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Granny flat rules and building permits in Victoria

These guides explain Victoria’s granny flat and building permit rules for homeowners in Melbourne, Geelong, Ballarat and Bendigo. In short, since 15 October 2026, Amendment VC306 lets a small second dwelling of up to 80m² go ahead without a planning permit in many cases, unless an overlay or other control requires one or the lot is under 300m² in a residential zone (other than the Low Density Residential Zone). Changes to the Building Regulations are due to follow, so check the current building rules with your building surveyor. A building permit is always required.

Key facts

  • What counts: a home of up to 80m² under Amendment VC306 (from 15 October 2026), with a kitchen, bathroom and toilet, on the same lot as an existing home. Changes to the Building Regulations are due to follow. (Victorian Government)
  • Planning permit: not needed in many cases, unless an overlay or other control requires one. (Victorian Government)
  • Small lots: a planning permit is required on a lot under 300m² in a residential zone (other than the Low Density Residential Zone). (Victorian Government)
  • Ownership and use: it cannot be subdivided or sold separately from the main home, and anyone can live in or rent it. (Victorian Government)

Source: Victorian Government, “Small second dwellings” (planning.vic.gov.au), checked 20 October 2026.

Guides in this section

Small second dwellings in Victoria The full guide to the state’s granny flat rules: what counts as a small second dwelling, when a planning permit is needed, the building permit, renting, subdivision and the change for dependent person’s units.

Building permits for renovations When renovation work in Victoria needs a building permit. Read it before you plan work such as removing a wall, restumping or renovating a bathroom.

Two related guides sit outside this section:

How Dwellix uses these rules

Before you choose a design, our feasibility review checks your block against the rules on these pages: zone, overlays, lot size, access and setbacks.

If a planning permit is likely to be needed, we tell you before you commit. If your project needs a building permit, we handle the permit process for you. You formally appoint the building surveyor, and we can recommend one and manage everything with them.

Frequently asked questions

What are the granny flat rules in Victoria?

A granny flat with a kitchen, bathroom and toilet, on the same lot as an existing home, is a small second dwelling. It must not be connected to reticulated natural gas, needs no car parking space and cannot be subdivided or sold separately. Since 15 October 2026, Amendment VC306 lets a small second dwelling of up to 80m² go ahead without a planning permit in many cases, unless an overlay or other control requires one or the lot is under 300m² in a residential zone (other than the Low Density Residential Zone). Changes to the Building Regulations are due to follow, so check the current building rules with your building surveyor. It does need a building permit.

Are the granny flat rules different in Geelong, Ballarat or Bendigo?

The small second dwelling rules are set by the Victorian Government, so the same framework applies in Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo and across Melbourne. Council rules sit inside that framework. What differs is the zone and any overlays your council’s planning scheme applies to your land, so check the planning scheme for your property, or ask us to check it in a feasibility review.

Do I need a building permit for a renovation?

It depends on the work. Our guide to building permits for renovations explains when renovation work in Victoria needs a building permit. A building surveyor can confirm what your project requires, and you can enquire to talk it through with us.

Check your block

See how these rules apply to your property: start a feasibility check. Prefer email? Write to sales@dwellix.com.au.

General information only, checked 8 October 2026. Rules change; confirm requirements for your property with your building surveyor or council.