Developing on smaller lots

You need a Planning Permit for building works on residential lots less than 500 m² in area (smaller lots).

Building works includes:

• building a new house
• extending an existing house.

Why you need a permit

A Planning Permit makes sure your building:

• has enough sunlight, private open space and landscaping
• does not impact negatively on your neighbours by overlooking or overshadowing their property
• complies with our Neighbourhood Character Design Guidelines and Boroondara Planning Scheme.

Meeting these design requirements can be difficult when you are developing on a smaller lot.

Permit exemptions

Some works on smaller lots are exempt from needing a Planning Permit.

Works are exempt if:

• the property meets specific conditions under Clause 62 of the Boroondara Planning Scheme.
• there are no other factors that require a Planning Permit.

This usually includes works like building a pergola, verandah or deck.

Heritage overlays

You may need extra documents to support your application if your lot is in a heritage overlay.

For more information visit our heritage and property development page.

Apply for a Planning Permit

Once you are ready, apply for a Planning Permit.

You can also check if you are eligible to apply via VicSmart.

How we assess your application

We assess your application against:

• Clause 54 of the Boroondara Planning Scheme
• the Neighbourhood Character Study.

The planning scheme covers neighbourhood character, external and internal amenity.

Neighbourhood character means the development must:

• respect the streetscape (look and feel) of the neighbourhood
• respond to the context in which it sits.

External amenity means the development must not:

• unreasonably overshadow or overlook surrounding properties
• provide unreasonable visual bulk to surrounding properties.

Internal amenity means the development must:

• have an appropriate site layout and design response
• provide for the needs of future residents.

We will only approve your permit if it meets the planning scheme objectives.

More information

Email [email protected] or call (03) 9278 4888.