A summary of councils state wide amendments to residential zones.
The Victorian State Government recently introduced state wide changes to residential zones. As Building Designers specializing Dual Occupancy & Multi Unit Development we think ts important to take a deeper look and understand what it means for you as an Investor or Developer.
Below is a summary of the changes explaining how they may affect you.
Garden Areas
A mandatory garden area must be provided for within the Neighbourhood Residential Zone and General Residential Zone, which varies depending on the size of the lot: So as to not be confused Garden Area is defined as “an uncovered outdoor area of a dwelling or residential building normally associated with a garden. It includes open entertaining areas, decks, lawns, garden beds, swimming pools, tennis courts and the like. It does not include a driveway, any area set aside for car parking, any building or roofed area and any area that has a dimension of less than 1 metre.”
Lot Size Minimum Percentage of Land For Garden Area
Less than 400m2 25%
400-500m 225%
501-650 30%
600m2 and above 35%
So as to not be confused Garden Area is defined as “an uncovered outdoor area of a dwelling or residential building normally associated with a garden. It includes open entertaining areas, decks, lawns, garden beds, swimming pools, tennis courts and the like. It does not include a driveway, any area set aside for car parking, any building or roofed area and any area that has a dimension of less than 1 metre.”
Allowing the maximum building height to be increased where applicable flood levels affect land Removing the limit on the number of dwellings that can be built on a property and replacing it with a new mandatory minimum garden area requirement
A new requirement for relevant neighbourhood, heritage, environmental or landscape character objectives to be specified in the schedule to the zone
Updating the exempt development and transition provisions
Changes to Neighbourhood Residential Zone:
Increasing the maximum building height from 8 metres to 9 metres with a new 2 storey height limit. Provisions to allow for slightly higher buildings on sloping land will remain. Councils will still be able to set an alternative maximum height, which must be more than 9 metres.
Allowing the maximum building height to be increased where applicable flood levels affect land Removing the limit on the number of dwellings that can be built on a property and replacing it with a new mandatory minimum garden area requirement
A new requirement for relevant neighbourhood, heritage, environmental or landscape character objectives to be specified in the schedule to the zone
Updating the exempt development and transition provisions
Changes to Residential Growth Zone:
Discretionary 13.5m height preference not revised. Council can set a mandatory height limit of no less than 13.5m in a schedule to the zone.
Garden Area does not apply to the Residential Growth Zone
Small changes like this are important to understand when assessing a potential development site. It could just be the difference between success or failure.
It is always best to seek advice when considering a purchase and Prestige Plans is always here to help.
