Subdivision

Find out about Victoria's rules and regulations when subdividing and how to apply for a permit to subdivide land.

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Subdivision applications

A planning permit is required to subdivide land.

The SPEAR online system supports the subdivision process in Victoria and enables subdivision approvals to be compiled, lodged, managed, referred and tracked online.

Subdivision Act user guide

Advice and guidance to councils, servicing agencies and referral authorities about the subdivision approvals system and their responsibilities under the Subdivision Act 1988 and the Planning and Environment Act 1987:

• Subdivision Act user guide pdf 729.5 KB
• Subdivision Act user guide doc 162.0 KB

Residential subdivision requirements

Clause 56 of the Victoria Planning Provisions applies to all planning schemes in Victoria and sets out the requirements for residential subdivision.

Building envelopes

Building envelopes set siting and design requirements for development on a lot. These requirements can be described by diagrams, plans or written descriptions, or a combination of both.

Building envelopes can manage the same range of matters as the residential development provisions in effect in Victoria:

• Residential subdivision: clause 56 allows for the creation of building envelopes
• Single dwellings: the Building Regulations 2018 recognise building envelopes in certain circumstances

Single dwellings are assessed against Part 5 of the Building Regulations 2018. For more information see Building Practice Note SI02: Building Envelopes and Part 5 of the Building Regulations 2018, published by the Victorian Building Authority (VBA).

Building envelopes information kit

The building envelopes information kit provides information on the design, approval and application of building envelopes.

1 Introduction

• Building envelope information kit – Contents pdf 580.7 KB
• Building envelope information kit – Introduction pdf 26.6 KB

2 Statutory framework for building envelopes

3 Designing building envelopes

4 Assessing and approving building envelopes

5 Illustrating 3D building envelopes

• Illustrating 3D building envelopes – Contents pdf 10.4 KB
• Illustrating 3D building envelopes – Profiles and plan views pdf 450.0 KB
• Illustrating 3D building envelopes – Setbacks for different situations pdf 375.1 KB
• Illustrating 3D building envelopes – Alternatives to coded profiles pdf 12.3 KB
• Illustrating 3D building envelopes – How standard setback profiles work pdf 224.3 KB
• Illustrating 3D building envelopes – Profiles for various situations: side profiles pdf 128.2 KB
• Illustrating 3D building envelopes – Profiles for various situations: rear profiles pdf 273.5 KB
• Illustrating 3D building envelopes – Setback profiles and sloping sites pdf 178.9 KB
• Illustrating 3D building envelopes – Sample report for council pdf 28.4 KB
• Illustrating 3D building envelopes – Sample building envelopes: notes and subdivision plan pdf 442.5 KB

6 Supplementary documents

• UDIA /HIA sample building envelope templates pdf 48.6 KB
• Memorandum of common provisions pdf 570.0 KB
• Plan of subdivision pdf 291.1 KB

Subdivision and the bushfire management overlay

Page last updated: 08/08/24

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• Subdivision Act user guide pdf 729.5 KB
• Subdivision Act user guide doc 162.0 KB
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Guides and resources

Related links

• Legislation and regulations
• Fees
• Using clause 56 – residential subdivision
• Rural residential development
• Residential development

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