Planning Zones & Controls in Melbourne, Victoria
Melbourne is located within City of Melbourne (Victoria). The following planning zones and overlays are commonly found in this area.
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Planning Zones
These zones are commonly applied to properties in Melbourne and the broader City of Melbourne area.
Overlays & controls
Properties in Melbourne may be affected by one or more of the following overlays / codes, which add extra planning controls on top of the zone.
Planning permit activity in Melbourne
Real application data for Melbourne from the Victorian state planning permit register (PPARS) — records back to 1996. Local decisions are the best guide to what City of Melbourne actually supports here.
6,747
applications on record
2,673
permits issued
84,880
new dwellings proposed
83%
of recorded outcomes got a permit
| Year | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Applications | 52 | 357 | 405 | 582 | 489 |
Notable recent applications
S72 amendment: minor amendments to condition 2 drawings and amend permit condition 3 requirements to facilitat
346-376 queen street · 2020 · Approved · 1598 dwellings
S72 amendment: changes to the wording of condition 44.
346-376 queen street · 2020 · Approved · 1598 dwellings
S72 amendment: changes to permit preamble, permit conditions and plans.
183 - 189 a'beckett street · 2019 · Approved · 905 dwellings
Source: Victorian state planning permit register (PPARS), records to mid-2023. Council participation varies by year; figures are indicative. “No permit issued” outcomes include withdrawn and lapsed applications, not only refusals.
What can you build in Melbourne?
Melbourne sits in City of Melbourne (Victoria). What you can build — a granny flat, a subdivision, a second dwelling, townhouses or an extension — depends on your property's zone and overlays. These guides set out the Victoria rules for the most common projects:
Heads up: parts of Melbourne carry heritage controls (see the overlays above), which can change what's allowed or require planning approval.
Check your property in Melbourne
Find out exactly what planning controls apply to your property in Melbourne and whether you need approval.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many planning permits have been approved in Melbourne?
The Victorian state permit register (PPARS) records 6,747 planning permit applications in Melbourne since 1996, with 2,673 permits issued and 84,880 new dwellings proposed across all applications. The register's public extract runs to mid-2023; recent local decisions are a strong guide to what City of Melbourne supports in Melbourne.
What can I build in Melbourne?
What you can build in Melbourne — such as a granny flat (secondary dwelling), a subdivision, a second dwelling, townhouses or a house extension — depends on your property's planning zone and any overlays, together with the Victoria planning rules. See the project guides above for Melbourne, or get a $39 planning report for a plain-English answer specific to your address.
What planning zone is Melbourne in?
Properties in Melbourne are commonly located in the Commercial 1 Zone (C1Z), Mixed Use Zone (MUZ), Residential Growth Zone (RGZ), General Residential Zone (GRZ). The exact zone for your property depends on its specific location within Melbourne. You can check your property's zone using VicPlan or our free Property Snapshot tool.
Do I need a planning permit in Melbourne?
Whether you need a planning approval in Melbourne depends on the zone your property is in, any overlays that apply, and the type of work you are proposing. Most new dwellings, extensions, subdivisions, and changes of use require approval. Some minor works may be exempt or "accepted development" depending on the zone and overlay controls. Use our free tools to check your specific situation.
How do I find my property's planning zone?
You can find your property's planning zone by searching your address on VicPlan, the official Victoria planning map. It shows the zone, overlays, and other planning controls that apply to any property in Victoria.