Skip to main content

                    Planning and building property enquiries

                    Requests can be made to City of Melbourne for written planning advice, building permit information and copies of planning and building documents.

                    ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​See Property Information – ​​Schedule of fees for fee details.

                    On this page:


                    Planning property enquiry

                    Information available through a planning property enquiry includes:

                    • written advice on a planning matter
                    • copies of planning permits and/or endorsed plans (plans are only provided with owner’s written consent)
                    • viewing of planning permits and endorsed plans at City of Melbourne.​​

                    How to apply

                    ​Planning property enquiries must be submitted in writing using the following application form:

                    Building plans and documentation search

                    A building plans and documentation search is a way to access documents from our building permit archives. Under the Building Regulations 2018 - Regulation 50, only the building owner, or a person with written owner’s consent, may request this search.  

                    We will provide digital copies of building permit files from our archives that have been provided to us by the private building surveyor. Depending on the nature of the building works, the permits may contain the following: 

                    • architectural and structural building plans
                    • builder’s information and insurance details
                    • engineering details and calculations
                    • certificates of final inspection and occupancy permits (including 9b certificates)
                    • building notices and orders.

                    Please contact your building practitioner If you are unsure of what documentation you require.

                    Note: Council does not hold any building plans or documentation before 1960. You may find these plans and documents, along with more infomation, at Public Record Office Victoria (PROV).

                    How many building permits can I retrieve?

                    ​We will send you a list of available permits that you can choose from. The building permits will be charged at a price per permit. ​

                    Fees

                    There is a flat fee per search based on whether the property is commercial/mixed use or residential. ​Additional fees are charged per permit.​

                    View the breakdown of fees:

                    The building plans and documentation search fee covers a search and not a result. The fee is non-refundable, and Council cannot guarantee information or results.

                    If you are a resident of a building which is considered mixed use, you can ask your owners corporation to apply on your behalf. The owners corporation will pay the fee and keep the plans in their records. 

                    How to apply

                    Submit an online application:

                    After you apply

                    We will send you a list of the building permits in our records for your property. Once you have selected which files interest you and paid the fee, we will send you copies of the permits.

                    We aim to complete searches within 21 days. We will contact you if we expect the search to take longer.


                    Building property enquiry

                    Information available through a building property enquiry includes:

                    Building permits, notices and orders – Regulation 51 (1)

                    • Details of building permits covering the previous 10 years.
                    • Details of occupancy permits and certificates of final inspection.
                    • Details of statements issued under Regulation 64 or 241.
                    • Current building notices or orders.

                    Flooding and termites – Regulation 51 (2)

                    • Details if the property is in an area liable to flooding (Regulation 153 and 154)
                    • Details if the property is in an area likely to be subject to infestation by termites (Regulation 150).

                    Property enquiry for inspections – Regulation 51 (3)

                    • Expands on details provided in the Part 1 Property Enquiry and includes:
                    • Details of mandatory inspection dates for building works specific to occupancy permits and certificate of final inspection.
                    • It is advised that Part 3 is obtained on recommendation only as this information is rarely required. 

                    Adjoining property owner’s details

                    Information available through an adjoining property owner’s details application includes the adjoining property owner's name and postal address, so they can be notified of proposed building works which may affect their property.

                    You should only apply if your proposed building works have obligations under the Building Act 1993 to protect adjoining properties from potential damage.

                    Note: If you are seeking owner’s details for any other purpose please contact Landata Victoria from the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning.

                    How to apply

                    Did you know?
                    Public Record Office Victoria holds an array of records created by Victorian Government departments and authorities including courts, local councils, schools, public hospitals and other public offices.

                    Building Business Support Team

                    Telephone number
                    9658 96589658 9658
                      Was this page helpful?

                      If you'd like to give more feedback or ask a question, please contact us.