Find out about VicSmart permits for low impact, straightforward planning applications.
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978-1-922250-20-9
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VicSmart is a simple and fast planning permit process for straightforward applications.
This guide includes advice on:
whether your application qualifies for a VicSmart assessment
how to prepare and lodge a VicSmart application
information you must submit with your application.
Key features of VicSmart include:
a 10 day permit process
applications are not advertised
information to be submitted with an application and what council can consider is pre-set
the Chief Executive Officer of the council or delegate decides the application.
VicSmart application eligibility
There are 3 prerequisites for an application to be eligible as a VicSmart application.
1. Permit requirements must be a VicSmart class of application
To be classed as a VicSmart application the proposal must be listed in the Vic Smart classes of application below, meet all the criteria and be located in the specified zone, overlay or particular provision.
A proposal could have more than one requirement for a permit and may fall into more than one class of VicSmart application. The permit requirements should be identified and then be checked against the classes of application.
All the requirements for a permit must be listed as a VicSmart application. If the application requires a permit under a provision of the planning scheme that is not listed as a VicSmart application, it is not a VicSmart application.
A council planning officer can advise you what permit requirements apply to your proposal, and whether they are all classed as VicSmart. Council may have additional application classes listed in their planning scheme that can apply locally. Check with your council for local VicSmart classes.
2. Permit issued must not breach a registered restrictive covenant
An application where a permit would breach a registered restrictive covenant is excluded from being a VicSmart application.
3. Referral authority approval must be obtained before lodging
If a referral is required under Clause 66 of the planning scheme, the written consent of the referral authority must be lodged with the application.
The written consent must not be more than 3 months old.
If you do not obtain this consent or the referral authority objects, the application cannot be a VicSmart application and you must apply through the regular permit application process.
VicSmart classes of application
To qualify for the VicSmart permit process your proposal must:
be one of the application types in the list below
meet the criteria listed
be located in the zone or overlay listed.
Select a category to view application types, zones and overlays and criteria.
Type of application
Construct a building or construct or carry out works (except in residential and rural zones.
Criteria (all must be met)
The estimated cost does not exceed:
$1,000,000 in an industrial zone, or
$500,000 in other applicable zones
The land is not within 30 metres of land (not a road) which is in a residential zone – does not apply in a Capital City Zone or Docklands Zone
Is not for a purpose listed in the table to Clause 53.10 in the planning scheme
Is not for a Brothel or Adult sex bookshop – this does not apply in a special purpose zone.
Where this applies
All industrial zones
All commercial zones
Special Use Zone
Comprehensive Development Zone
Capital City Zone
Docklands Zone
Priority Development Zone
Activity Centre Zone
Type of application
Construct a building or construct or carry out works in residential zones.
Criteria (all must be met)
The estimated cost does not exceed $100,000 and
The development is not associated with dwelling and
The development complies with the following standards of Clause 54:
A10 Side and rear setbacks
A11 Walls on boundaries
A12 Daylight to existing windows
A13 North facing windows
A14 Overshadowing open space
A15 Overlooking.
Where this applies
Clause 32.03-4
Clause 32.04-8
Clause 32.05-9
Clause 32.07-7
Clause 32.08-8
Clause 32.09-8
Type of application
Construct a building or construct or carry out works up to $250,000 in some rural zones.
Criteria (all must be met)
The land is not within 30 metres of land (not a road) which is in a residential zone
The land is not used for Animal keeping, Intensive animal husbandry or Rural industry
The works are not earthworks specified in the schedule to the zone.
Where this applies
Rural Living Zone
Green Wedge Zone
Green Wedge A Zone
Rural Conservation Zone
Type of application
Construct a building or construct or carry out works up to $500,000 in some rural zones.
Criteria (all must be met)
The works are not earthworks specified in the schedule to the zone
For buildings and works associated with a Section 2 use the land is not:
used for animal keeping, intensive animal husbandry or rural industry
within 30 metres of land (not a road) which is in a residential zone.
Where this applies
Farming Zone
Rural Activity Zone
Type of application
Construct a building or construct or carry out works for a carport, garage, pergola, verandah, deck, shed or similar structure.
Construct a building or construct or carry out works for a rainwater tank.
Criteria (all must be met)
The buildings and works must be associated with a dwelling
For applications under the Salinity Management Overlay, the consent of the referral authority.
Where this applies
Environmental Significance Overlay
Significant Landscape Overlay
Erosion Management Overlay
Salinity Management Overlay
Type of application
Construct a fence in an overlay.
Criteria (all must be met)
None
Where this applies
Environmental Significance Overlay
Significant Landscape Overlay
Design and Development Overlay
Erosion Management Overlay
Type of application
Remove, destroy or lop one tree.
Criteria (all must be met)
None
Where this applies
Environmental Significance Overlay
Vegetation Protection Overlay
Significant Landscape Overlay
Neighbourhood Character Overlay
Type of application
Demolish or remove an outbuilding, including a carport, garage, pergola, verandah, deck, shed or similar structure.
Criteria (all must be met)
The outbuilding to be demolished or removed is not identified in the schedule to the overlay.
Where this applies
Heritage overlay
Type of application
Demolish or remove a fence.
Criteria (all must be met)
The fence to be demolished or removed is not identified in the schedule to the overlay.
Where this applies
Heritage overlay
Type of application
Externally alter a non-contributory building.
Criteria (all must be met)
The building is a non-contributory building.
Where this applies
Heritage overlay
Type of application
External painting
Construct a fence
Construct a carport, garage, pergola, verandah, deck, shed or similar structure
Construct and install domestic services normal to a dwelling
Construct and install a non-domestic disabled access ramp
Construct a vehicle cross-over
Construct a domestic swimming pool or spa and associated mechanical equipment and safety fencing
Construct a rainwater tank
Construct or display a sign
Lop a tree
Construct or install a solar energy facility attached to a dwelling
Construct and install an electric vehicle charging station
Construct and install services normal to a building other than a dwelling, including chimneys, flues, skylights, heating and cooling systems, hot water systems, security systems and cameras, downpipes, window shading devices, or similar.
Criteria (all must be met)
None.
Where this applies
Heritage overlay
Type of application
Construct a building or construct or carry out works for a carport, garage, pergola, verandah, deck, shed or similar structure.
Construct a building or construct or carry out works for an outdoor swimming pool.
Criteria (all must be met)
The buildings and works must be associated with a dwelling.
Where this applies
Design and development overlay
Type of application
Construct a building or construct or carry out works up to $500,000.
Criteria (all must be met)
Must be in a commercial zone or a Special Use, Comprehensive Development, Capital City, Docklands, Priority Development or Activity Centre Zone.
Where this applies
Design and development overlay
Type of application
Construct a building or construct or carry out works up to $1,000,000.
Criteria (all must be met)
Must be in an industrial zone.
Where this applies
Design and development overlay
Type of application
Construct a building or construct or carry out works for:
a carport, garage, pergola, verandah, deck, shed or similar structure.
an outdoor domestic swimming pool or spa and associated mechanical equipment and safety fencing.
a rainwater tank.
Criteria (all must be met)
The buildings and works must be associated with a dwelling.
Where this applies
Neighbourhood character overlay
Type of application
Construct, demolish or remove a fence.
Criteria (all must be met)
None.
Where this applies
Neighbourhood character overlay
Type of application
Demolish or remove an outbuilding, including a carport, garage, pergola, verandah, deck, shed or similar structure.
Criteria (all must be met)
None.
Where this applies
Neighbourhood character overlay
Type of application
Construct a building or construct or carry out works.
Criteria (all must be met)
Consent of referral authority.
Where this applies
Special building overlay
Type of application
Reduce the required number of car parking spaces.
Criteria (all must be met)
By no more than 10 car spaces.
Where this applies
All zones
Parking overlay
Type of application
To construct a dwelling or small second dwelling on a lot.
Criteria (all must be met)
Development must meet the following standards of clause 54:
54.02-1Street setback
54.02-2 Building height
54.02-3 Side and rear setbacks
54.02-4 Walls on boundaries
54.02-5 Site coverage
54.02-6 Tree canopy
54.02-7 Front fences (single dwellings only)
54.02-8 Building setback for small second dwellings (small second dwellings only)
54.03-5 Safety and accessibility for small second dwellings (small second dwellings only)
54.04-1 Daylight to existing windows
54.04-2 Existing north-facing windows
54.04-3 Overshadowing secluded open space
54.04-4 Overlooking
54.05-2 Overshadowing domestic solar energy systems.
Where this applies
All residential zones except the Low Density Residential Zone.
Type of application
Display a sign.
Criteria (all must be met)
The sign is not within 30 metres of land (not a road) which is in a residential zone
The sign is not a pole sign, sky sign, reflective sign, internally illuminated, floodlit, electronic or animated
The total display size of the sign does not exceed 10 square metres.
Where this applies
All industrial zones
All commercial zones
Special Use Zone
Comprehensive Development Zone
Capital City Zone
Docklands Zone
Priority Development Zone
Activity Centre Zone
Type of application
Subdivide land to realign the common boundary between two lots.
Criteria (all must be met)
The area of either lot is reduced by less than 15 per cent
The general direction of thecommon boundary does not change
If the land is in a rural zone, each new lot is at least the area specified for the land in the zone or the schedule to the zone.
Where this applies
All residential zones
All industrial zones
All commercial zones
All rural zones
Special Use Zone
Comprehensive Development Zone
Capital City Zone
Docklands Zone
Priority Development Zone
Activity Centre Zone
Environmental Significance Overlay
Special Building Overlay
Heritage Overlay
Design and Development Overlay
Type of application
Subdivide land into lots each containing an existing building or car parking space.
Criteria (all must be met)
The buildings or car parking spaces have been constructed in accordance with the provisions of the planning scheme or a permit issued under the scheme
An occupancy permit or a certificate of final inspection has been issued under the Building Regulations in relation to the buildings within five years prior to the application for a permit for subdivision.
Where this applies
All residential zones except the Low Density Residential Zone
All industrial zones
All commercial zones
Special Use Zone
Comprehensive Development Zone
Capital City Zone
Docklands Zone
Priority Development Zone
Activity Centre Zone
Environmental Significance Overlay
Special Building Overlay
Heritage Overlay
Design and Development Overlay
Type of application
Subdivide land with an approved development into 2 lots.
Criteria (all must be met)
The construction of a building or the construction or carrying out of works on the land has been approved under the planning scheme or by a permit issued under the scheme and the permit has not expired
The construction or carrying out of the approved building or works on the land has lawfully started
The subdivision does not create a vacant lot.
Where this applies
All residential zones except the Low Density Residential Zone
All industrial zones
All commercial zones
Special Use Zone
Comprehensive Development Zone
Capital City Zone
Docklands Zone
Priority Development Zone
Activity Centre Zone
Environmental Significance Overlay
Special Building Overlay
Heritage Overlay
Design and Development Overlay
Type of application
Subdivide land into two lots in a rural zone.
Criteria (all must be met)
Each new lot is at least the area specified for the land in the zone or the schedule to the zone.
Where this applies
All rural zones.
The VicSmart permit process
The VicSmart process involves 4 simple steps:
PREPARE – check the planning scheme, discuss your proposal with council, pick up checklists and any other information.
SUBMIT – submit the application to the council with all the required information.
ASSESS – council assesses the application against pre-set criteria.
DECISION – council approves or refuses the application within 10 business days.
You can use VicSmart to apply for:
subdivision
buildings and works
tree removal and lopping
small advertising signs
car parking reductions.
You can include one or more proposals in an application.
Prepare
Before preparing and lodging an application, discuss your proposal with a council planning officer.
A planning officer can advise on:
whether you need a planning permit and why
whether you can apply under VicSmart
the nature and amount of supporting information you need to submit with your application
the relevant planning controls
whether the consent of a referral authority will be required.
Your council may have other information and checklists that will help you prepare the application. A discussion will help you to include all the right information with your application.
Include the right information
To enable a council officer to decide an application in 10 business days you must submit all required information when lodging the application. Information to be submitted with a VicSmart application is listed in the planning scheme.
A council officer may waive or reduce the required information if they can assess the application without the information. The council officer cannot ask for more information than the planning scheme requires.
There are checklists summarising the different information requirements for each type of VicSmart application. If your proposal falls into more than one VicSmart class of application you will need to complete all the relevant checklists.
If your application requires referral authority approval, you must obtain the written consent of the referral authority before lodging the application.
The checklists are also available from your council.
Checklist 1: Realign a boundary between two lots
Checklist 2: Subdivide land into lots each containing an existing building or car parking space
Checklist 3: Subdivide land with an approved development into two lots
Checklist 4: Construct a front fence in a residential zone
Checklist 5: Construct a building or works except in a rural zone
Checklist 6: Construct a building or works in an overlay
Checklist 7: Remove, destroy or lop one tree
Checklist 8: Minor subdivision, minor buildings and works, painting or tree lopping in a Heritage Overlay
Checklist 9: Minor subdivision or buildings and works in a Special Building Overlay
Checklist 10: Display a sign in a commercial, industrial or special purpose zone
Checklist 11: Reduce a car parking requirement
Checklist 12: Two lot subdivision in a rural zone
Checklist 13: Construct a building or works in a rural zone.
Checklist 14: One dwelling or small second dwelling in a residential zone.
