If you own a home in Melbourne or regional Victoria, you may be wondering what kind of granny flat fits in your backyard. Since VC253 in December 2023, a small second dwelling up to 60 m2 usually needs no planning permit. A building permit is always needed. This guide explains in plain words what fits in that space and how a modular granny flat gets built.
What 60 m2 gives you
Sixty square metres is enough for a compact home. Most layouts at this size fit one bedroom with room to spare, or two smaller bedrooms. A typical plan includes:
- A living and kitchen area
- One or two bedrooms
- A bathroom, often with the laundry inside it
- Storage built into the walls
- A small deck or porch, if your block allows
The size counts the floor area, so a long, narrow flat and a squarer one can have the same area but suit very different backyards.
Will it fit on my block?
That depends on the shape of the yard, where the house sits and what is already there. Look at the space behind or beside the house. Think about how you will reach the flat from the street, where the sun falls and how close it sits to your neighbours. Conditions apply to the no-permit pathway, so your building surveyor and the planning scheme confirm whether your site qualifies.
Why a modular granny flat can suit
A modular granny flat is built in the offsite factory while the slab or footings are prepared at your home. It arrives on a truck and a crane sets it in place. You see far fewer trades in your yard, and the work at home is shorter. See our page on modular granny flats in Melbourne.
Who designs and builds it in Victoria
For homes in Victoria, design, permit documentation and construction are contracted by our sister company DST Project Management and Construction Pty Ltd, registered domestic builder CDB-U 72187. EcoPrestige supplies the steel-framed modules and the factory documentation. You deal with one registered builder for the contract, and the module supply sits behind it. Our Domestic Program for homeowners explains the two steps.
What does not fit
Some yards are hard to reach. If there is no path a truck can use, no space for a crane, power lines overhead or large trees in the way, a factory-built flat may not work. A sloping block can still suit, but footings cost more. We will tell you early if your yard is one of these.
Who approves it
A granny flat is typically Class 1a, confirmed by your building surveyor. In Victoria, the building permit is issued by a registered building surveyor, structural design is by a PERA-registered structural engineer, and the home energy rating is by an accredited NatHERS assessor. Confirm with your building surveyor or certifier. Our building permit guide covers inspections and the final sign-off.
How the job runs
Once the building permit is in place, the factory builds the modules. At the same time, the builder prepares the footings and runs water, sewer and power to the spot. When both are ready, the modules arrive, the crane sets them, and the builder connects and finishes the flat. Because the two happen together, the time spent at your home is shorter.
What to send us
- 1. Your address
- 2. A photo of the backyard and the side path
- 3. Who will live there and what they need inside
- 4. Any plans or ideas you already have
- 5. When you would like it finished
For more on building in the city, see modular construction in Melbourne.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a planning permit for a granny flat in Victoria?
A small second dwelling up to 60 m2 usually needs no planning permit since VC253 in December 2023. A building permit is always needed.
What fits in 60 m2?
Most layouts fit one bedroom with room to spare, or two smaller bedrooms, plus a living and kitchen area and a bathroom.
Who builds my granny flat in Victoria?
Design, permit documentation and construction are contracted by our sister company DST Project Management and Construction Pty Ltd, registered domestic builder CDB-U 72187.
Who issues the building permit?
A registered building surveyor issues the building permit in Victoria. Confirm with your building surveyor or certifier.
Can a modular granny flat go in a small backyard?
Often, if a truck and crane can reach it. Send a photo of the yard and the side path and we will check.
Local guides: Granny Flats in Shepparton and the Goulburn Valley, Granny Flats in Wodonga and North East Victoria, Granny Flats in Warrnambool and South West Victoria, Granny Flats in Traralgon and the Latrobe Valley.
See what fits in your Victorian backyard
Send the site, the use and any drawings to prebuilt@ecoprestige.com.au or download our technical brochures.