Tag: Town Planning

A single-storey rear extension under construction on a suburban Melbourne home, with a timber-framed structure against the existing brick house and a timber boundary fence in the background

Do I Need a Planning Permit for a Home Extension in Victoria?

Whether a home extension needs a planning permit in Victoria comes down to lot size, zoning and overlays - and for a large share of standard suburban blocks, the planning permit step has not applied since Amendment VC243 made the rule uniform statewide in 2023. This guide covers what actually decides it for a ground-floor or single-storey extension, including the 2025 changes to how smaller lots are assessed.

A Design Yard 32 branded floor plan set on a desk with a pencil and architect's scale ruler resting on top, alongside a notebook and pot plant

3/9/26 | Town Planning

Planning Permit vs Building Permit in Victoria: What Each One Actually Covers

Planning permit and building permit are often used interchangeably, but they're two separate approvals assessed by two different bodies. Here's what each one actually covers, why the order matters, and how Design Yard 32's role differs between the two.

An aerial view of a suburban street with terracotta-roofed period homes, tree-lined gardens, and driveways leading to a central road

5/8/26 | Town Planning

Do You Need a Planning Permit? A Guide Before You Start Your Project

Every renovation, extension or fitout eventually runs into the same question: does this need a planning permit. This guide explains how the system actually works, what triggers a permit, when you might not need one, and what the notice and review process means for your timeline.