VC 315- 24 September 2026

VC 315 makes changes to the Victoria Planning Provisions and all planning schemes to introduce a series of refinements to the residential development requirements at Clauses 54, 55 and 57 to improve clarity, consistency and environmental performance across the residential codes. The amendment also makes changes to Clause 52.37 (Canopy trees) to improve the operation of the provision.

Amendment VC315 – key changes by clause

Clause / Provision	What VC315 changes (new matters)	Practical effect for planners / designers
Clauses 54, 55 and 57 (Residential codes – Single Home, Townhouse & Low‑Rise, Mid‑Rise)	Introduces a series of refinements to the residential development requirements to improve clarity, consistency and environmental performance across the three codes.	Expect clearer, more consistent ResCode assessments, particularly where tree canopy, landscaping and environmental performance interact with siting and amenity standards.
Clause 54 – Single Home Code	Refines standards and decision guidelines (including those relating to tree canopy and related environmental outcomes) to align with the updated canopy tree regime and improve consistency with Clauses 55 and 57.	Single-dwelling and small second dwelling assessments should be more straightforward where canopy and landscaping are in issue, with fewer conflicts between Clause 54 and Clause 52.37.
Clause 55 – Townhouse and Low‑Rise Code	Refines neighbourhood character, liveability, external amenity and sustainability standards (including tree canopy, solar and related environmental provisions) to improve consistency with Clause 54 and Clause 57 and with Clause 52.37.	Medium-density proposals should see clearer interaction between canopy cover targets, retained-tree rules and solar/overshadowing standards, reducing ambiguity in “deemed to comply” assessments.
Clause 57 – Mid‑Rise Code	Refines mid-rise standards and decision guidelines to improve consistency with Clauses 54 and 55 and to better integrate canopy and environmental performance requirements.	Four-storey residential projects will be assessed under a mid-rise code that is more closely aligned with the townhouse/low-rise code, especially on canopy, siting and amenity issues.
Clause 52.37 – Canopy trees	Amends the canopy tree provision to improve its operation, including by: - Introducing a new lot-size category between 1,000 m² and 2,000 m² with a 15% canopy cover target (between the existing ~10% and 20% tiers). - Providing greater design flexibility for applicants to select appropriate tree species and sizes to suit the development while still meeting canopy cover objectives. - Making technical clarifications on how canopy requirements interact with the residential codes and assessment pathways.	For sites 1,000–2,000 m², you now have an explicit 15% canopy cover benchmark instead of jumping straight to 20%, simplifying feasibility. You also have more scope to justify smaller or different species if they still deliver the required canopy area at maturity.
Clause 53.02 – Bushfire Planning	Inserts additional decision guidelines for specified types of development in bushfire-prone areas to guide how residential and related proposals are assessed where bushfire risk and vegetation/canopy objectives intersect.	On bushfire-prone sites, councils and VCAT now have more structured guidance to balance defendable space and asset protection against canopy/greening objectives, reducing tension between Clause 52.37/ResCode canopy outcomes and bushfire controls.
Consequential changes (e.g. Clause 52.06 and related provisions)	Makes consequential amendments to other provisions (such as Clause 52.06) to ensure the residential codes, canopy tree controls and bushfire guidelines operate consistently across all planning schemes.	Fewer “orphan” references or inconsistencies between the residential codes, canopy tree clause and other state-wide provisions when preparing reports and compliance matrices.