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Practical guide

Granny flat rules and permits by council

Requirements can differ by property and council. This guide helps you find the right official information and prepare better questions.

Start with your property, not a generic rule

A secondary dwelling can trigger planning, building, siting, servicing and title considerations. The answer depends on the land, overlays, existing dwelling and the local planning scheme.

Victoria's small second dwelling baseline

A small second home is 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 zones, overlays, lots under 300 m² and other special controls can change the pathway.

Check the current Victorian Government small second homes guidance ↗

A useful council checklist

  1. Find your council's planning and building pages.
  2. Check planning overlays and property constraints.
  3. Ask whether a planning permit, building permit, or both may be needed.
  4. Confirm whether the proposal changes drainage, parking, access or services.
  5. Speak with a registered building surveyor or planning professional for site-specific advice.

Council index

Choose a city, then search by suburb or postcode to find the relevant council. Council cards link to official contact and planning information.

Choose a suburb from the suggestions to focus its council card.

Official sources to check

Start with your local council website and the relevant state planning system. Record the page URL and date checked whenever you add a council entry to this directory.

Melbourne council contact details were checked against the Victorian Government council contacts workbook (May 2026). Sydney contacts use the NSW Office of Local Government directory. Always confirm current property-specific controls with the relevant council.

This guide is general information, not planning, legal or building advice. Requirements change; verify them with the relevant council.