Most standard kitchen renovations don't need a building permit unless structural work is involved — but that's only half the picture. Properties within a heritage overlay face a second, entirely separate process: a planning permit, which is a City of Greater Geelong planning-scheme control, not a building permit matter. This second layer is most relevant for older housing stock — a kitchen renovation in Newtown and, less commonly, older properties in Highton — where heritage overlays are more likely to apply. This is a distinctly Victorian planning matter, relevant to kitchen renovations Geelong Victoria-wide, not just locally.
If a property sits within a heritage overlay, kitchen renovations involving external changes (windows, extensions, visible alterations) or significant internal changes to a heritage-significant space may need a planning permit from the City of Greater Geelong, separate from, and in addition to, any building permit the work also requires.
Planning Permit vs Building Permit: Not the Same Thing
These are two entirely separate approval processes. A building permit covers structural safety and building code compliance, required for most renovations involving wall removal or plumbing relocation, regardless of heritage status. A planning permit covers whether a change is appropriate for a heritage-significant property under the local planning scheme, required only where a heritage overlay applies, and only for certain kinds of changes.
What Typically Needs a Planning Permit
External Changes
New or altered windows visible from the street, extensions, or changes to the building's external form.
Significant Internal Change
Substantial alteration to a room identified as heritage-significant in the property's citation.
Internal-Only Kitchen Work
New cabinetry, benchtops and appliances confined to the existing kitchen footprint, with no external or structural change.
How to Check If Your Property Is Affected
Heritage overlay status is confirmed through the City of Greater Geelong planning scheme maps, available via the Victorian planning schemes online portal. It's worth checking this before finalising a design, since it affects both timeline and what's possible. See our Period Home Renovation guide for how this fits into planning a character home kitchen more broadly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a planning permit the same as a building permit?
No. A building permit covers structural safety and building code compliance for the work itself. A planning permit is a separate approval covering whether a change is appropriate for a heritage-significant property under the local planning scheme, and only applies where a heritage overlay is in place.
Does my property have a heritage overlay?
This is confirmed through the City of Greater Geelong planning scheme maps. It's worth checking before finalising a kitchen renovation design, since it can affect what changes are permitted and the approval timeline.
Does internal-only kitchen work need a planning permit?
Usually not, if the work is confined to the existing kitchen footprint with no external or structural change, but this depends on whether the specific room is identified as heritage-significant in the property's citation. Confirm with the council or your building professional for your specific scope.
For heritage-overlay properties specifically, established house builders Geelong teams should already have a process for this — it shouldn't be unfamiliar territory for them.
Not Sure If a Heritage Overlay Applies to Your Property?
We're happy to help you work through what approvals your specific renovation needs.
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