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Buildings and Works in a Commercial or Industrial Zone
When you need a planning permit for Buildings and Works

Most buildings and works for commercial or industrial buildings will require a planning permit.  

You can check the zoning of your property by visiting Vicplan and searching the affected property address.  

This page deals specifically with permit requirements for buildings and works under commercial or industrial zones. There may be other permit triggers depending on the overlays that apply to your property and depending on whether you are proposing a new or changed use.  

Buildings and works that do not need a permit in the commercial and industrial zone are listed below.

  • The installation of an automatic teller machine
  • An alteration to an existing building façade provided:
    • The alteration does not include the installation of an external roller shutter.
    • At least 80 per cent of the building facade at ground floor level is maintained as an entry or window with clear glazing.
  • An awning that projects over a road if it is authorised by the relevant public land manager
  • Most internal works unless they would increase the floor area.

These common types of Buildings and Works do not require a planning permit.

  • Most internal works unless they would increase the floor area.
  • A building or works which rearrange, alter or renew plant if the area or height of the plant is not increased.
  • Certain rainwater tanks.

These common types of Buildings and Works do not require a planning permit.

What you'll need to provide

If you need to submit a planning permit application for buildings and works, this is the information you’ll need to provide.

  • A completed application form (which you will fill in online when you lodge your application).
  • ​​​A recent copy of Certificate of Title from Landata that’s no more than 3 months old, including a full copy of any restrictive covenants or section 173 agreements.  
  • ​The applicable Fee. Learn more on our fees page.
  • Cover letter explaining your proposal
  • A full set of plans which must include:
    • A plan drawn to scale which shows:
      • The title boundaries of the site
      • Adjoining roads
      • The location, height and purpose of buildings and works on adjoining land
      • Relevant ground levels
      • The layout of existing and proposed buildings and works
      • All driveway, car parking and loading areas
      • Proposed landscape areas
      • All external storage and waste treatment areas
    • Elevation drawings to scale showing the dimensions, colour and materials of all buildings and works

An application to construct or extend an apartment development, or to construct or extend a dwelling in or forming part of an apartment development, must be accompanied by an urban context report and design response as required in Clause 58.01. The guide for a development of five or more storeys may be more relevant to your proposal. 

  • Plan of Survey from a licensed land surveyor
  • Written details about the surrounding neighbourhood context
  • Construction details of all drainage works, driveways and vehicle parking and loading areas
  • Written response to the relevant requirements of the Yarra Planning Scheme 

Some applications may qualify as VicSmart permits if they meet the following: 

ControlClass of application

Industrial 1 Zone

Industrial 3 Zone 

Construct a building or construct or carry out works with an estimated cost of up to $1,000,000 where the land is not:

  • Within 30 metres of land (not a road) which is in a residential zone.
  • Used for a purpose listed in the table to Clause 53.10.
  • Used for an Adult sex product shop.

Commercial 1 Zone

Commercial 2 Zone

Construct a building or construct or carry out works with an estimated cost of up to $500,000 where the land is not:

  • Within 30 metres of land (not a road) which is in a residential zone.
  • Used for a purpose listed in the table to Clause 53.10.
  • Used for an Adult sex product shop.

You might also be interested in information about applying for:

For more information