Planning services and permits

The Planning Team is responsible for:

• Assessing applications for planning permits
• Assessing applications for the subdivision of land
• Providing general advice to the community on town planning matters

The Melbourne Planning Scheme controls land use and development within the City of Melbourne. It contains state and local planning policies, zones and overlays and other provisions that affect how land can be used and developed.

The scheme also determines if a planning permit is required to change the use of land, or to construct a building or make other changes to the land.

In most instances, buildings and works in the municipality, whether residential or business, must be approved by the City of Melbourne through the planning permit application process.

The City of Melbourne requires owners and occupiers to obtain planning permits for a wide range of works to residential, business and other properties within the City of Melbourne. Even minor alterations to your property can have a big impact on others in your neighbourhood.

A planning permit ensures works are legal, and prevents unreasonable negative impacts on neighbours. Failure to comply can result in fines or other penalties.

Find out the process for planning permit applications in the City of Melbourne including how to submit, amend or object to an application, appeal and review processes, and ministerial planning applications, please visit the planning application page for more information.

A party affected a planning decision made by the City of Melbourne may have standing to lodge an application for review with the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT). The appeal a planning decision page contains more information regarding the planning appeals process and details of current proceedings.