VicSmart Dual Occupancy Approvals (VC288) Fast-Track Dual Occupancy Approvals in Victoria

Understand the VicSmart pathway for two dwellings on a single lot

Section 1: What is VicSmart?

VicSmart is a simplified, fast-track planning permit process in Victoria.

Key benefits:

10 business day decision timeframe

No public notification required

Limited discretion, reducing uncertainty

Designed for low-risk developments like dual occupancies and certain two-lot subdivisions.

Section 2: Who Can Apply?

Sites in the following zones: GRZ, NRZ, RGZ, HCTZ, MUZ, TZ

Proposal triggers must all fall under the VicSmart class

No restrictive covenant breaches

Referral authority consent (if needed) obtained within 3 months

Section 3: Mandatory Design Standards (Clause 55)

Your design must fully comply with these 13 standards to qualify:

Street Setback

Building Height

Side and Rear Setbacks

Walls on Boundaries

Site Coverage

Access

Tree Canopy

Front Fences

Daylight to Existing Windows

North-facing Windows

Overshadowing of Secluded Open Space

Overlooking

Overshadowing of Solar Energy Systems

Note: Even a minor deviation disqualifies VicSmart eligibility.

Section 4: Application Process

Step-by-step flow:

Confirm site eligibility and zone compliance

Check overlays and restrictive covenants

Ensure design meets all Clause 55 standards

Obtain referral authority consent (if required)

Prepare documentation (plans, surveys, shadow diagrams, B55 report)

Lodge under the VicSmart class

Council assesses within 10 business days

Outcome issued

Summary/Conclusion – critical items to qualify for VicSmart for a dual occupancy

In short: if you’re seeking to develop two dwellings on one lot in Victoria and want to use the fast-track VicSmart pathway (under Amendment VC288), you must ensure all of the following critical items are in place:

Your site is in an eligible zone (GRZ, NRZ, RGZ, HCTZ, MUZ or TZ).

All applicable planning permit triggers for your proposal are included in VicSmart classes in the planning scheme.

The site is not affected by disqualifying overlays (or if they are, your proposal still falls within the VicSmart class) such that a standard permit would be required.

There is no breach of a registered restrictive covenant that the permit would allow.

If a referral authority is required, you have their written consent obtained within the last 3 months at lodgement.

Your design complies in full with the 13 specified “deemed to comply” standards of Clause 55 (street setback; building height; side/rear setbacks; walls on boundaries; site coverage; access; tree canopy; front fences; daylight to existing windows; existing north-facing windows; overshadowing of secluded open space; overlooking; overshadowing of solar systems).

You supply the correct application information (form, fee, title documents, plans) and lodge under the VicSmart class – so you trigger the 10 business day decision timeframe, no public notification, and reduced discretion in assessment.

You understand that Council will only assess against the prescribed limited criteria (height/garden area controls, Clause 55 standards, public open space contributions) rather than a full open-ended review of neighbourhood character etc.

You recognise that if any one of these items is not satisfied (even a small deviation from one of those Clause 55 standards), your application may fall out of the VicSmart pathway and must go through the standard permit process — with longer timeframes, possible notification/objections and fuller discretion.

COMMON COUNCIL / OVERLAY QUIRKS ACROSS MELBOURNE

1. City of Monash

Very strict with neighbourhood character (despite limited discretion).

Street tree removal rarely approved → affects Access standard.

Check NRZ schedules for unique front setback requirements.

2. City of Glen Eira

Rigid on canopy tree provision.

Overlooking screening must be actual detail (type, material, angle).

3. City of Moreland (Merri-bek)

Often requires full EV charging provision in garages (not a VicSmart rule but requested).

Overshadowing tested meticulously.

4. City of Darebin

Sensitive to solar panel overshadowing—requires very accurate diagrams.

Rear-access driveways (e.g., via laneway) must demonstrate safe vision lines.

5. City of Yarra

HO overlays common → usually excludes VicSmart.

Narrow streets mean strict access width enforcement.

6. Wyndham / Melton / Hume (growth areas)

Often have street tree spacing constraints that limit driveways.

Easements very common on lots—check early.

7. Kingston / Bayside

Very strict overshadowing tests.

Front fencing permeable % strictly checked.

8. Stonnington / Boroondara

Large number of Heritage Overlays → VicSmart often not allowed.

Height and massing on boundaries highly scrutinised.