Geelong Planning Permit Guide — Step by Step

If you are planning to build, renovate, or subdivide in Geelong, you will likely need a planning permit from the City of Greater Geelong. This guide walks you through every step — from determining whether you need a permit to receiving your final approval.

Do You Need a Planning Permit?

Not all building work requires a planning permit. The Geelong Planning Scheme sets out when a permit is needed. Common triggers include:

New dwellings — building a new house, townhouse, or unit
Extensions over certain sizes — large additions, second-storey additions
Dual occupancies and subdivisions — splitting a block or building a second dwelling
Changes of use — converting a residential property to commercial or vice versa
Heritage overlays — any work on a heritage-listed property
Vegetation removal — removing significant trees in certain zones

The safest approach is to engage a town planning consultant early. At ZA Architects, our planning professionals provide pre-application advice to clarify what approvals your project needs.

Step 1: Pre-Application Advice

Before lodging a formal application, consider requesting pre-application advice from the City of Greater Geelong. While optional, this step can:

Identify potential issues early before you spend money on detailed designs
Provide guidance on what information council expects
Flag overlay controls, heritage considerations, or vegetation protections

Alternatively, work with town planning consultants who know the Geelong Planning Scheme intimately. We provide integrated architectural and planning feasibility assessments that go beyond what a standard planning report covers.

Step 2: Prepare Your Application

A complete planning permit application typically includes:

Application form — available from the City of Greater Geelong website
Certificates of Title — showing ownership and any encumbrances
Site plan — showing boundaries, existing buildings, setbacks, and vegetation
Floor plans and elevations — drawn to scale by a qualified design professional
Planning report — addressing how the proposal meets the Geelong Planning Scheme
Landscape plan — if required by the zone or overlay
Application fee — based on the estimated cost of development

As registered architects with town planning expertise, we prepare all required documentation in-house — streamlining the process and ensuring consistency between your design and planning strategy.

Step 3: Lodgement and Council Assessment

Once lodged, the City of Greater Geelong will:

Check for completeness — council has 14 days to request additional information
Refer to internal departments — engineering, heritage, environmental health as needed
Public notice — neighbours may be notified and given an opportunity to object
Assessment — the planning officer assesses the application against the planning scheme

The statutory timeframe for council to decide is 60 days for applications that don't require public notice, and 4 months for those that do. However, complex applications often take longer.

Step 4: Council Decision

Council can make one of three decisions:

Issue a permit — with or without conditions
Refuse the permit — providing reasons for refusal
Request changes — asking you to amend the application before deciding

If your application is refused or you disagree with conditions, you have the right to appeal to VCAT (Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal). Our team has experience representing clients at VCAT and can guide you through the review process.

Step 5: Post-Permit Requirements

After receiving your planning permit, you may still need:

Building permit — separate approval for the construction itself
Permit conditions — things like landscape plans, engineering reports, or amended plans
Section 173 agreement — if council requires a legal agreement about land use

How Long Does a Planning Permit Take in Geelong?

Typical timeframes for the City of Greater Geelong:

Simple applications (single dwelling, no overlays): 6–12 weeks
Moderate complexity (dual occupancy, heritage overlay): 3–6 months
Complex applications (subdivision, commercial, contested): 6–12 months

Engaging experienced planning specialists upfront can significantly reduce delays by ensuring your application is complete and compliant from day one.

How Much Does a Planning Permit Cost in Geelong?

Fees vary based on project value and type. As of 2026, typical costs include:

Application fee: $500–$3,000 depending on development cost
Public notice costs: $200–$800 for signage and letters
Planning consultant fees: $2,000–$8,000 depending on complexity
VCAT application: $2,000+ if appeals are needed

Get Expert Planning Advice

Navigating the Geelong Planning Scheme is complex. Our team of town planning consultants and registered architects provides end-to-end planning permit services — from initial feasibility through to council submission and VCAT representation.

Contact our town planning professionals for a no-obligation discussion about your project.