The Victorian starting position
Victoria defines a small second home as a self-contained dwelling of 60 m² or less on the same lot as an existing home. A building permit is always required. A planning permit is not required in many cases, but it can still be triggered by the zone, overlay, lot size or other controls affecting the land.
For residential lots under 300 m², Clause 54 applies in specified residential zones and a planning permit is required. Other special controls can also change the pathway. Check the current planning scheme and discuss the actual address and proposal with Yarra City Council and the relevant registered practitioners.
Read the Victorian Government small second homes guide.
What to have ready when contacting council
- The property address and title details.
- A simple site plan showing the existing home, boundaries and proposed location.
- The proposed floor area, height, setbacks and intended use.
- Known overlays, easements, trees, flood or bushfire constraints.
- Questions about planning approval, building permit, drainage, access and services.
Suburbs in the Yarra council area
The location dataset associates 14 Melbourne-area suburb records with Yarra. Some suburbs or postcodes cross council boundaries, so confirm the authority for the exact address.
Compare local project professionals
Once you understand the likely pathway, compare professionals serving Yarra. Ask each provider to explain who handles design, surveys, approvals, construction and mandatory inspections.
General information only. Requirements change and depend on the property and proposal. Verify the current position with Yarra City Council, the Victorian planning scheme and appropriately qualified professionals.