Planning Zones & Controls in South Melbourne, Victoria
South Melbourne is located within City of Port Phillip (Victoria). The following planning zones and overlays are commonly found in this area.
Free property search
Search any property in South Melbourne on the map
Type an address — get the zone, overlays, hazards and a downloadable Snapshot PDF in seconds. No signup required.
Planning Zones
These zones are commonly applied to properties in South Melbourne and the broader City of Port Phillip area.
Overlays & controls
Properties in South 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 South Melbourne
Real application data for South Melbourne from the Victorian state planning permit register (PPARS) — records back to 1991. Local decisions are the best guide to what City of Port Phillip actually supports here.
2,224
applications on record
1,018
permits issued
14,650
new dwellings proposed
91%
of recorded outcomes got a permit
| Year | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Applications | 145 | 179 | 151 | 203 | 214 |
Notable recent applications
Section 72 amendment: amend permit and approved plans, to introduce staging, remove home occupation, amend and
60-82 johnson street · 2019 · Approved · 1129 dwellings
S72 amendment: deletion of conditions 8(a)(i)(g) and 15f and modifications to the endorsed plans to show retai
6-78 buckhurst street · 2021 · Approved · 1023 dwellings
S72 amendment: insertion of an interim stage (stage zero) into the existing four (4) staged permit and associa
6-78 buckhurst street south melbourne 3205 · 2019 · Approved · 1023 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 “No permit issued” outcomes include withdrawn and lapsed applications, not only refusals.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 South Melbourne?
South Melbourne sits in City of Port Phillip (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 South Melbourne carry heritage controls (see the overlays above), which can change what's allowed or require planning approval.
Check your property in South Melbourne
Find out exactly what planning controls apply to your property in South Melbourne and whether you need approval.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many planning permits have been approved in South Melbourne?
The Victorian state permit register (PPARS) records 2,224 planning permit applications in South Melbourne since 1991, with 1,018 permits issued and 14,650 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 Port Phillip supports in South Melbourne.
What can I build in South Melbourne?
What you can build in South 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 South Melbourne, or get a $39 planning report for a plain-English answer specific to your address.
What planning zone is South Melbourne in?
Properties in South Melbourne are commonly located in the General Residential Zone (GRZ), Residential Growth Zone (RGZ), Mixed Use Zone (MUZ), Commercial 1 Zone (C1Z). The exact zone for your property depends on its specific location within South Melbourne. You can check your property's zone using VicPlan or our free Property Snapshot tool.
Do I need a planning permit in South Melbourne?
Whether you need a planning approval in South 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.
Nearby suburbs
Other suburbs in City of Port Phillip:
Elsewhere in Victoria: