Do I need a planning permit?

How it works

After pressing 'Launch myLot', you'll be transferred to their website and be asked to sign up
Next, you'll need to provide the address of your development proposal
The system will then ask a series of questions about your proposal
Once enough information is gathered, the service will analyse whether a planning permit is likely required

Important: this is not an official planning decision
The result is a helpful guide, but it's not an official planning decision. This service provides preliminary information only. You should always exercise due diligence by obtaining a confirmation through written planning advice or by obtaining a planning permit if required. Moving forward without necessary permits may lead to enforcement action.

What is a planning permit?

A planning permit is a legal approval to use, develop and/or subdivide land. A permit may be subject to a time limit or expire under specified circumstances. Melton City Council may impose conditions when granting a permit.

Planning permits, if required must be obtained before you start work or change how land is used. Even small or minor works may need a planning permit. It is your responsibility as the owner or occupier of the land to check whether a permit is required before you begin.

When is a planning permit required?

Planning permit requirements are set by the Melton Planning Scheme and the Planning and Environment Act 1987. You may need a permit due to:

Zoning rules
Overlay controls
Particular provisions, such as a car parking reduction.

Whether you're renovating your house, building a town house, building a shed, removing a tree, starting a home business or another type of improvement to your property, our online planning tool called myLot can help you:

determine if your project requires a planning permit
understand why a permit is or isn't required, with references to the relevant planning rules
determine what documents you'll likely need to submit with your planning permit application
determine whether your project is eligible for a VicSmart application

Frequently asked questions - myLot

Is this service right for me?

What types of development does myLot cover?

This service is best for residential developments like home extensions, swimming pools and sheds, as well as developments related to residential properties such as home-based businesses.

The service is also not suitable for more complex proposals like subdivision and large multi-unit developments. Please contact our Planning team to discuss these types of proposals with a planner.

Can I use this service for a property I’m looking to purchase?

Yes. You can enquire about any address in a residential or rural zone in the City of Melton local area.

What if I don't know or haven't decided on a detail of my project?

That's okay! The service can provide guidance based on the information you do have. If there are details you're unsure about, you can explore different options with the service to understand the planning implications.

I'm a professional in the building sector. Is myLot suitable for me?

Yes. The service can be used by building professionals to quickly check planning requirements.

Reliability of results

Will I get a definitive answer from this service?

The information provided by myLot is intended to be a helpful guide and is not a final planning decision. The service offers guidance based on your information and its interpretation of the planning rules.

However, it does not account for the factors such as:

covenants, 173 agreements and other restrictions found on a certificate of title
previous or existing planning permits, or existing uses
other approvals may be required, such as building and asset protection permits.

Therefore, the service's advice should be reviewed by a council or private planner for final advice before proceeding, even if the case doesn't seem complex.

How accurate and reliable is the advice?

The service’s advice carefully analyses the planning legislation relevant to your site and proposal. It cites the specific rules and clauses that it interprets. However, as it cannot yet access specific property-specific data, its advice should be taken as guidance rather than a definitive answer.

Can I get a planner to verify the answers provided by this service?

Yes. Contact our Planning team to discuss the service’s advice with a planner.

Privacy and security

What data does the service collect and how is it used?

The service collects the information you provide about your project, which is used to provide guidance on planning requirements. The email you use to sign up is used to send you a copy of your results. No personal data is used for any other purpose.

Where is my data stored and is it secure?

All data is securely hosted on servers located in Australia. We adhere to strict data protection regulations and employ robust security measures to safeguard your information.

Who built this service?

This service is delivered by MyLot, an Australian technology company focused on AI for the planning and building sector.

Learn more at mylot.ai.

Does the service use AI?

Yes. The service uses AI to ask you the right questions about your proposal and to generate a report. Your email and property address are not disclosed to the AI and are not used to train the AI.

For more information, contact our Planning Department on 9747 7200.