The State Government has been making changes to the Victorian planning controls for residential development. These changes affect how planning permit applications for houses, small second dwellings, townhouses and low-rise residential buildings are assessed.
Changes to Residential Development Codes
During 2025 the State Government made changes to the Victorian planning controls. These changes affect how planning permit applications for houses, small second dwellings, townhouses and low-rise residential buildings are assessed. Clauses 54 and 55 in the planning scheme control these types of development.
The State Government also created a new Clause 57 that controls development of midrise apartment buildings of up to 4 storeys.
These changes mean the following, for development permit applications:
- There is a 'standard' for each type of control (i.e. setbacks) that provides a specific requirement and an ‘objective’ which gives the aim of the control.
- A development must meet all objectives.
- If the standard is met, the corresponding objective is met.
- The responsible authority can only consider a decision guideline (to decide if the objective is met) if the corresponding standard is not met.
For applications under Clauses 54 and 55:
- The responsible authority is exempt from considering any decision guideline or other matter in other parts of the planning scheme as well as specified matters under section 60 of the Planning and Environment Act 1987
- If all standards a met, the development is ‘deemed to comply’ and there is no third-party appeal.
The planning scheme has also been amended to remove local variations in standards for landscaping, permeability, side and rear setbacks and walls on boundaries. Council can no longer make local variations on these standards, unless they are more lenient than the standards that currently apply in Clauses 54, 55 and 57.
Clauses and changes
Clause 54: Single Home Code
Clause 54 applies to single dwelling developments, and small second dwelling on a lot, and implemented a deemed to comply assessment process and new residential development standards.
For specific information relating to Clause 54, visit the State Government Clause 54 - Single Home Code webpage.
Clause 55: Townhouse and Low-Rise Code
Clause 55 applies to the development of two or more dwellings on a lot and residential buildings up to and including three storeys.
For specific information relating to Clause 55, visit the State Government Clause 55 - Two or more Dwellings on a Lot webpage.
Clause 56: Residential Subdivision Provisions
Clause 56 relates to residential subdivision provisions.
For specific information relating to Clause 56, visit the State Government Clause 56 - Residential Subdivision Provisions webpage.
Clause 57: Mid-Rise Code Residential Development
The State Government is considering further reforms to Clause 57 to further expand it to include apartments up to 6 storeys.
For specific information relating to Clause 57, visit the State Government Clause 57 - Mid-Rise Code webpage.
Clause 58: Apartment Developments
Clause 58 applies to apartment developments that are seven or more storeys (excluding basements).
For specific information relating to Clause 58, visit the State Government Clause 58 - Apartment Developments webpage.