Home renovations or extensions have many challenges and you need to be aware of the correct processes and permits before commencing work.
Depending on the scale and features of your renovation or extension, you may need to employ:
- a building inspector
- a building surveyor
- a domestic builder
- a demolisher
- an architect
- a draftsperson
- an engineer
- someone who builds temporary structures (for example, scaffolding)
- a quantity surveyor.
Employing a builder or being an owner-builder
Typically a renovation is managed by a domestic builder employed by the home owner. However it is possible for the owner to take on responsibility for the work as an owner-builder. This is a significant decision to make. To find out more about this, go to Victorian Building AuthorityOpens in new tab.
Either way, there are likely to be a requirements to:
- obtain a planning permit and building permits
- supervise or undertake the building work
- ensure the work meets building regulations and standards.
Planning permits
The Melbourne Planning Scheme determines whether a planning permit is required. Generally, planning permits are required:
- for additions to residential properties
- when there is demolition of a building (especially within a heritage overlay).
To find out if you require a planning permit, see Melbourne Planning Scheme – do I need a permit? or you can call us on 03 9658 9658 and ask to speak to a planning officer.
To learn more about planning permits see Planning permit applications.
Heritage and the planning scheme
The Central City Zone (usually referred to as the CBD) has different planning permit requirements for dwellings and other zones within the municipality. Much of the area outside of the CBD is covered by a heritage overlay, and a planning permit is required for all buildings, works and demolition (including painting, and construction of fences). There are specific planning controls to deal with individual sites and areas with identified heritage significance. For more information see
Other permits
For comprehensive information about the permits that City of Melbourne and other authorities require, go to Planning and building services.
These pages discuss several permits that can apply for home renovations:
- Parking permits for home renovations
- Planning application process
- Construction and development.
Fencing - contacting your neighbours
Need to build or replace an existing fence on your property? You may need to discuss the shared fencing between your property and your neighbours’ properties.
While we have no involvement in shared fences or any costs relating to shared fences, we can give you your neighbours contact details so that you can discuss this with them. You can request these details in writing by downloading and sending the request form to us at rates@melbourne.vic.gov.au
More information on the form:
Waste collection and management
Waste from renovations is not allowed in normal garbage collections or in the annual residential hard waste collections (however, some small pieces of scrap metal and timber can be collected – see Hard waste for details).
See also:
- Bins and skips permits – permits for bins, skips or containers that are placed on public land as part of your construction activities.
- Chemical waste – for information about how residents can deal with chemical waste such as leftover paint.
- Waste management plan guidelines – for help to prepare a plan to manage your development's waste and recycling needs. This is an important aspect of the planning application process.
More information
- The Victorian Building Authority (VBA) regulates building and plumbing practitioners in Victoria. The VBA also deals with owner-builder permitsOpens in new tab.
- Consumer Affairs VictoriaOpens in new tab has information about domestic building contracts.
- Domestic Building Dispute Resolution VictoriaOpens in new tab can resolve building disputes without the cost and time often associated with courts and tribunals, and has the power to issue dispute resolution orders to resolve disputes that are not completely resolved by agreement.
- See Noise for information about noise and other issues that are regulated at building sites in the City of Melbourne.
