An Australian state is now letting homeowners build a granny flat on their property without a planning permit, if certain requirements are met.
Granny flats can now be built on hundreds of thousands of Victorian properties without a planning permit under the Allan government’s housing reforms.
Changes to small second homes have taken effect in the state, with the government estimating about 700,000 residential zone lots will be covered by the new measures.
No planning permit is needed for property owners to build a small second home up to 60 square metres on their block if the property is 300 square metres or larger.
The reforms extend to about 2,450 properties in rural zones with no overlays, with the government also confirming a planning permit is not required “in a heritage overlay, neighbourhood character overlay or design and development overlay”.
However, property owners will still need to obtain a planning permit if their block of land is in a designated flood or bushfire affected area.
The move towards a “quick and easy process” for small second homes is part of Victoria’s housing statement, which is targeting 800,000 new homes over 10 years.
“Too often, families want to keep their older and younger generations closer together – but are priced out of established areas around the state,” the government said.
“This change will make it easier for families to build a small second home on their own lot – near jobs, public transport, education and healthcare services, as well as existing social connections.”
The housing statement, first unveiled by then-premier Daniel Andrews in September, acknowledged that “the burden of getting a planning approval has put building a second small home in the too hard basket”.
The government will maintain the need for a standard building permit to be obtained, while siting, design and amenity requirements still have to be met.
“But there are no restrictions on how a small second home can be used,” the government said.
“They can give families the space to grow together, give people somewhere to stay when they visit for the weekend, or can even be rented out to provide extra income to help with the increasing cost of living.”
( SKY NEWS )
