Casey Council Vic

Building in City of Casey

Your Melbourne south-east growth-corridor approval guide

George Giannakakis, Founder, BuildPilot
By George Giannakakis · Founder
B.Arch.Studies · M.Arch (UniSA) · RLA300580 · Reviewed

Overview

The City of Casey is Victoria's most populous municipality, covering Clyde North, Clyde, Cranbourne, Berwick and Narre Warren. Building is dominated by new homes on PSP-governed greenfield lots in the south-east growth corridor, with estate design guidelines and, in established pockets, knockdown rebuilds.

Suburbs covered

Clyde NorthClydeCranbourneCranbourne EastBerwickNarre WarrenHampton Park

Building in these suburbs

Clyde NorthCranbourneBerwickClyde

Local considerations

Precinct Structure Plans + estate guidelines

Most Casey greenfield lots sit within a VPA Precinct Structure Plan and a developer estate with design guidelines your home must satisfy alongside council and building-permit rules.

Growth Areas Infrastructure Contribution (GAIC)

GAIC can apply to land in the contribution area in Casey. Confirm whether it affects your parcel before committing.

Knockdown rebuilds in established Casey

In Berwick, Narre Warren and Hampton Park the estates have built out, so building often means a knockdown rebuild, with demolition permits and possible overlays.

Building Permit Process (Victoria)

Victoria separates planning permits (about land use, from your council) and building permits (about construction methods, from a Relevant Building Surveyor). You usually need the planning permit FIRST, then the building permit.

  1. Check zoning + overlays

    Use VicPlan (planning-schemes.app.planning.vic.gov.au) or your council's interactive map to identify the zone, any heritage overlay, character area, environmental overlay or growth area zone that applies to your block.

  2. Planning permit (if required)

    If your project needs a planning permit (most heritage / character-area / larger developments do), lodge with your council. VicSmart is a fast-tracked pathway available for some minor applications.

  3. Appoint a Relevant Building Surveyor (RBS)

    The RBS must be appointed by the OWNER (not the builder). Choose either a municipal or private building surveyor. This is a legal requirement in VIC.

  4. Building Permit Number (BPN) via BAMS

    Your RBS applies for a 13-digit BPN through the Building Activity Management System (BAMS). Since 26 November 2025 a new formula for the Calculated Cost of Works (CoW) applies. New BAMS reporting fields (including mandatory architect status) took effect 20 March 2026.

  5. Building Permit Levy

    Required for works costing over $10,000. Rate: 0.00064 general levy + 0.00064 DBDRV levy of the CoW. Pay via the BPC secure portal (BPAY or card). Your RBS cannot issue the permit until the BPN is received.

  6. Construction, inspections + occupancy

    Build proceeds under RBS inspection at prescribed stages. On completion, the RBS issues an Occupancy Permit (or Certificate of Final Inspection for extensions).

State Building Fees (VIC 2026-27)

These are STATE fees, identical across every Melbourne council. Your council may charge additional planning-permit application fees on top, see per-council notes below.

Building Permit Levy, general0.00064 × CoW (works > $10,000)
Building Permit Levy, DBDRV0.00064 × CoW (works > $10,000)
Metropolitan Planning Levy (larger dev only)$1,344,000 threshold (2026-27); pay to SRO
Owner-builder Certificate of Consent (works > $16,000)BPC application; approx. 45 business days processing

Typical Timelines (Melbourne average)

Straightforward planning permit (VicSmart)10 to 30 business days
Standard planning permit (no objections)60 to 90 days
Complex / heritage / notified planning permit3 to 8 months
Building permit (once planning approved)2 to 4 weeks
Owner-builder Certificate of Consent~45 business days

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a planning permit to build in Casey?

On a titled greenfield lot in an approved PSP with no overlay, a single new dwelling usually needs only a building permit plus estate design approval. A planning permit may apply with an overlay or for a knockdown rebuild. Check VicPlan and confirm with the City of Casey.

How long before I can build on a new Casey lot?

You cannot start until the lot title is registered. In fast-releasing estates, titles can lag the sales contract by months, so confirm the registration timeline with the developer before you lock in a build start.

What locals know about City of Casey

Famous for

Berwick's big blocks next to Cranbourne's small ones. Sandy soils across most of the council make slabs cheaper than the west, but the low ground near the wetlands has a high water table.

Every council's quirk

Suburbs we have profiled here

CranbourneBerwick

Problems that turn up in inspection reports here

The leaking shower

Statewide rules people blame on council

  • •New residential gas connections banned from 2024. Replacements on existing gas are still allowed.
  • •Pools and spas must be registered with council and certified every 4 years.
  • •Sheds, carports and verandahs over 10m² generally need a building permit; some also need a planning permit depending on the zone and overlays.

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