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Small second dwelling

The Victorian Government has made it easier to build a small second dwelling giving families more housing choice and boosting housing supply.

The Victorian State Government has made it easier for second small dwellings on allotments. The Building Regulations 2018 have been amended to reflect these requirements (Small Second Dwellings) to streamline the approval process to build a small second dwelling.

A small second dwelling up to 60 square metres no longer requires a planning permit in most cases where there are no flooding, environmental or other special planning controls.

A small second home still requires a building permit, to meet siting, amenity, design and safety requirements and is to be constructed as a standalone residential dwelling.

A small second home is a dwelling which

  • has a gross floor area that is equal to or less than 60 square metres
  • be located on the same lot as an exisiting dwelling
  • be used as a self-contained residence which includes kitcen, bathroom and toilet.

The small second dwelling must include:

  • a kitchen sink
  • food preparation facilities
  • a bath or shower
  • a toilet and wash basin

A small second home must not be connected to reticulated natural gas and does not require a car parking space.

Under this initiative you are only able to have two dwellings on the one allotment; if there are more than two, then you would need to seek planning approval for a multi dwelling development. Council cannot grant a planning permit to subdivide land which would allow a separate lot to be created containing only a small second dwelling.

Anyone can live in or rent out a small second home, including a family member, dependent person or unrelated persons.

The residential tenancy requirements that apply to a home also apply to a small second home, including room sizes, facilities and smoke alarms.

A small second dwelling can be built on most properties in residential and rural zones without a planning permit.

NOTE -  A building permit is always required.

Department of Transport and Planning:

Building & Plumbing Commission: 

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