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Building homes on small lots of land in Victoria will be quicker and easier after the state government announced a change to streamline the process.
The Victorian government has announced the “Single Home Code”, an amendment to streamline approvals for properties on small lots.
The initiative will apply to single homes and small second dwellings on lots under 300 square metres, and is designed to cut red tape and make the home building process faster.
Currently, home owners are faced with delays and uncertainty as a result of inconsistent council processes, complex paperwork, and lengthy appeals.
“If a home meets the updated standards – including requirements for setbacks, tree canopy, solar access, and street amenity – it will be ‘deemed to comply’, meaning it can be approved without further assessment,” the state government said.
“Neighbours will still be notified and can provide feedback, but if the standards are met, there’ll be no VCAT appeals or costly delays.”
The changes simplify what applicants need to submit and clarify how councils assess it, improving the existing 10-day VicSmart fast-track process.
Applying across all residential zones in Victoria, the new standards are expected to allow for clearer, more consistent assessments for single and small second dwellings.
As a result, more affordable housing will be delivered where it is needed most.
Stronger sustainability protections will also be included in the changes, such as limiting overshadowing of rooftop solar.
Minister for Planning, Sonya Kilkenny, said the new standards further deliver on the Victorian government’s bid to streamline home building.
“This is another way we’re making our planning system say ‘yes’ – yes to well-designed homes, yes to more homes, and yes to people making the most of the land they already have,” she said.
“If your proposal meets the standards, you should be able to get on and build. That’s what these changes deliver – faster decisions, less stress, and more homes where we need them,” she concluded.
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