Residential Development Guidelines

The following is a guide for how to apply for a planning permit, following the residential development guidelines for the City of Monash.

Step 1:

Please read the following before you proceed with your application:

Environmentally Sustainable Design (incorporating sustainable design into new developments is now a requirement of the Monash Planning Scheme)

Getting Started - A Guide to Residential Development(PDF, 46KB)

Planning Fees and Charges(PDF, 270KB)

  • Other guidelines may affect your situation depending on your proposed development, please see: Other Guidelines.
  • All parts of this Guide should be read to understand the requirements of the Monash Planning Scheme and Council Policy

The Department of Transport, Planning and Local Infrastructure, displays all necessary design guidelines, and indicate the Council's and community's expectations for quality residential development in Monash:
planningschemes.dtpli.vic.gov.au/schemes/monash

Step 2:

Find out your Property Information, which generally includes:

Most of this information should be located on the Certificate of Title, which will verify whether any easements or restrictions encumber the land.

If you are proposing a development, you should make sure you are aware of the entire relevant zone and other provisions that apply to your property. Check the Monash Planning Scheme Maps to verify whether the land is in a Residential or other zone and whether the land is in an Overlay Area. Available online or at Council premises. This will show the acceptable guidelines for development for residences within Monash.

Check the Monash Neighbourhood Character Study to determine the relevant Character Precinct, which is also available at Council for inspection.

    Step 3:

    Prepare a preliminary but comprehensive Neighbourhood and Site Description Analysis for the site, including photographs.

    The development design must respond to any identifiable design opportunities or constraints that affect your site.

    A preliminary Neighbourhood and Site Description Analysis must be undertaken before commencement of the design work.

    Separate Development Guidelines are available from Council for:

    Site Description - Checklist(PDF, 50KB)

    Site Description - Certification of Plan Accuracy(PDF, 17KB)

    Neighbourhood Character

    Additionally you should find suitable development guidelines for:

    • Stormwater Management
    • Engineering Standards
    • Landscape
    • Other Guidelines that affect your situation

    Step 4:

    Prepare a Preliminary Design Concept Plan.

    Please be aware of the design guidelines for residential development in Monash, and details of Council's Policy requirements, which are located here:

    Compliance with these guidelines is essential, and will facilitate the assessment and processing of your application.

    Step 5:

    Discuss your concept proposal with Council's Town Planners before lodging an Application for Permit.  Please see the following for details:

    Guide to Pre-Application Meetings in Monash(PDF, 115KB)

    Assessment of the concept design proposal by Council's Town Planners will provide invaluable guidance in respect to compliance with Council's Policy requirements and Design Guidelines.

    Note:

    • Council's town planners cannot assess a concept design without an understanding of the site and its context within the neighbourhood.
    • The Preliminary Neighbourhood and Site Description Analysis MUST be provided with the Concept Design Plan for assessment.
    • Council recommends that applicants discuss their preliminary design with future neighbours of the project. Discussions with neighbours at an early stage of the design process can help to minimise disputes at the application stage.

    Step 6:

    Complete the detailed design for the proposal, including a comprehensive Neighbourhood and Site Description Plan and Analysis for the land.  Assuring that these follow the design guidelines from the Department of Transport, Planning and Local Infrastructure.

    Provision of accurate and detailed documents will enable Council's Town Planners to easily understand your design and how it relates to its location and streetscape.

    Step 7:

    Lodge the application including all relevant plans and documents. The following information is essential:

    • Applicant
    • Subject Land
    • Land Owner
    • Proposal (plans and details of the development)
    • Cost of the development
    • Copies of Plans and Supporting Documents

    Submission of all relevant documents and plans with your application will facilitate processing of your application.

    Please remember it is against the law to give false or misleading information. You may receive a heavy fine and your permit may be cancelled.

    If a request for further information is required, this will delay processing of an application.

    Details of all documents and plans to be lodged with an application are listed in:

    Planning Application Lodgement Checklist(PDF, 574KB)

    Residential Development - Application Checklist(PDF, 204KB)

    And a detailed guide of Town Planning Procedure is located here:

    Guide - Town Planning Application Procedure(PDF, 29KB)

    For any additional forms, permits and guidelines associated with residential development and planning permits, please see: Planning Application Forms.

    Amendments

    If you wish to amend a planning permit that has already been approved, please visit: Planning Application Forms

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