If you are thinking about building a tiny home or a modular house as a granny flat in Victoria, one of the first questions you may ask is: “Do I need a permit?”
The short answer is: yes, you will usually need a building permit, but you may not need a planning permit in many cases. However, every property is different, so it is important to check the requirements before starting your project.
What Is a Granny Flat in Victoria?
In Victoria, what many people call a “granny flat” is now often referred to as a small second home or small second dwelling. It is a smaller independent home built on the same block of land as an existing main house.
A granny flat can be used for many purposes, such as accommodation for parents, adult children, extended family, guests, or as a private living space. Many homeowners also consider granny flats because they can add flexibility and practical value to their backyard.
Do You Need a Planning Permit?
In many cases, a small second home in Victoria does not need a planning permit if it is 60 square metres or less and there are no special planning controls affecting the land.
This change has made it easier for Victorian homeowners to add a granny flat to their property. However, this does not mean every property is automatically approved.
A planning permit may still be required if:
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the property is affected by flooding, environmental, heritage, bushfire or other special overlays;
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the land size is under certain thresholds;
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the zoning has specific requirements;
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the design does not meet relevant siting or amenity rules;
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the local council or planning scheme requires further assessment.
Because of this, it is always best to check your property details before making a final decision.
Do You Need a Building Permit?
Yes. Even if your granny flat does not need a planning permit, it will still generally require a building permit.
A building permit is different from a planning permit. It focuses on whether the building work meets relevant construction, safety, structural, siting and amenity requirements.
A building permit helps confirm that the granny flat is designed and built properly, including matters such as:
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structural safety;
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fire safety;
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setbacks and siting;
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drainage;
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energy efficiency;
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ventilation and natural light;
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access and amenity;
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plumbing and electrical compliance.
In limited cases, some very small non-habitable structures, such as certain garden sheds under 10m², may be exempt from requiring a building permit. However, this exemption generally does not apply to a habitable granny flat or small second home.
Permit requirements can vary depending on the property, building use, size, location and current regulations, so we always recommend checking with your local council or a registered building surveyor before starting any work.
If you would like to find out more about tiny home, modular house or granny flat options, reach out to Wingspace Modular Homes: admin@wingspace.com.au
https://www.wingspace.com.au/pages/contact
