Recent changes by the state government mean that two dwelling developments will now be approved within 10 days of lodgment with council and are no longer subject to objections by neighbors. The reclassification of these applications to the Vicsmart category is part of the Victorian governments ongoing efforts to increase housing supply in the state.
The change took effect on October 16th 2025, applications lodged before this date continue to be assessed under the existing normal process. Any amendment applications to existing permits will be assessed under the normal process even if the amendment application is lodged after this date.
To qualify for the ten day turnaround, plans must demonstrate compliance with the below prescriptive standards of the new townhouse code at clause 55:
- Street setback
- Building height
- Side and rear setbacks
- Walls on boundaries
- Site Coverage
- Access
- Tree canopy
- Front fences
- Daylight to existing windows
- Existing north facing windows
- Overshadowing secluded private open space
- Overlooking
- Overshadowing domestic solar energy system
You no longer need to provide a neighbourhood character plan (NCP) or design response plan (DRP) in the town planning set of drawings. If the application is for a combined subdivision and development permit then a NCP and DRP are required.
Conditions to be aware of:
- It applies to land in the residential zone, mixed use zone, or township zone – not all zones.
- It applies to two dwellings only – developments of more than two will be under the normal stream.
- The design must comply with the prescriptive standards of clause 55 listed above.
- The garden area requirements must be met.
If the design doesn’t meet a condition, the applicaiton wont qualify as vicsmart and will be assessed under the normal process and be subject to objections by neighbours.
This a very positive and progressive change that will greatly assist more boutique developers getting planning approval quicker.