VicSmart planning applications
VicSmart is a fast track planning process for straightforward eligible planning permit applications.
See fees and charges
From 16 October 2025, an application to develop a second dwelling on a lot may be assessable as a fast-tracked VicSmart application. Find out more
On this page
What is VicSmart?
VicSmart applications follow a shortened version of Council's planning process. VicSmart applications are:
- decided within 10 business days
- exempt from advertising and VCAT appeals involving neighbours
- exempt from referral to external authorities*
- subject to a shorter set of planning policies (decision guidelines) for Council to consider.
VicSmart applications are subject to the standard appeal process if you are the applicant and you disagree with Council's decision.
Is my application VicSmart?
To qualify for the VicSmart process, a proposal must:
- be listed as a VicSmart class of application in the relevant planning scheme
- meet all the VicSmart eligibility criteria, and
- be located in the specified zone, overlay or particular provision.
A proposal could have more than one requirement for a permit and may fall into more than one class of VicSmart application. All the requirements for a permit must be listed as a VicSmart application. If the application requires a permit under a provision of the planning scheme that is not listed as a VicSmart application, it is not a VicSmart application.
For more information on VicSmart application eligibility visit the Victorian Government website.
Types of applications that often qualify for VicSmart are:
- Two dwellings on a lot in a residential zone
- Two lot residential subdivision
- Remove, destroy or lop one tree
- Extension to one dwelling on a lot in a residential zone
- Subdivide land with an approved development into two lots
- Display a sign in a commercial, industrial or special purpose zone
- Realign a boundary between two lots
- Subdivide land into lots each containing an existing building or car parking space
- Construct a front fence in a residential zone
- Construct a building or works in a zone
- Construct a building or works in an overlay
- Minor subdivision, minor buildings and works, painting or tree lopping in a Heritage Overlay
- Minor subdivision or buildings or works in a Special Building Overlay*
- Reduce a car parking requirement.
*Special Building Overlay applications must obtain pre-approval from Melbourne Water before being submitted to Council.
Please contact the Statutory Planning Team on 1300 88 22 33if you are unsure if your application qualifies for VicSmart.
Two dwellings on a lot in a Residential Zone
Amendment VC288 was gazetted by the Minister for Planning on 18 September 2025 and commenced operation on 16 October 2025. From 16 October 2025, an application to develop a second dwelling on a lot may be assessable as a fast-tracked VicSmart application.
Where do these requirements apply?
Within Maroondah, the new VicSmart provision for Two dwellings on a lot applies to land within the:
- Neighbourhood Residential Zone
- General Residential Zone
- Housing Choice & Transport Zone
- Mixed Use Zone
What if an overlay applies to my property
If a property has an overlay (such as Heritage, Bushfire or Significant Landscape Overlay), a two dwelling development may not be eligible to be assessed through the VicSmart application process.
All the requirements for a permit must be listed as a VicSmart application. If the application requires a permit under a provision of the planning scheme that is not listed as a VicSmart application such as Significant Landscape Overlay Schedule 3 and for example the development is greater than 8m in height or the site coverage is greater than 40%, it is not a VicSmart application.
Do I need to apply for any other approvals?
Canopy trees
A planning permit may also be required for the removal of canopy tree. See Tree and native vegetation removal.
The removal of more than one tree in the Significant Landscape Overlay is not a Vicsmart application.
In order to qualify for VicSmart, which standards MUST be met?
The following applications may be a VicSmart class of application if certain Clause 55 standards are met:
- Construct one new dwelling if there is one existing dwelling already on the lot
- Extend a dwelling if there are two dwellings on a lot
- Construct two dwellings on a lot
For the above to be a VicSmart class of application, ALL of the following Clause 55 standards must be met:
- Clause 55.02-1 Street setback
- Clause 55.02-2 Building height
- Clause 55.02-3 Side and rear setbacks
- Clause 55.02-4 Walls on boundaries
- Clause 55.02-5 Site coverage
- Clause 55.02-6 Access
- Clause 55.02-7 Tree canopy
- Clause 55.02-8 Front fences
- Clause 55.04-1 Daylight to existing windows
- Clause 55.04-2 Existing north-facing windows
- Clause 55.04-3 Overshadowing secluded open space
- Clause 55.04-4 Overlooking
- Clause 55.05-2 Overshadowing domestic solar energy systems.
If your application is unable to meet one or more of the required standards, it cannot be assessed as a VicSmart application.
Design Standards for car parking
Plans must also meet the car parking design standards of Clause 52.06-8 of the Maroondah Planning Scheme. These plans should be lodged in conjunction with your Vic Smart application.
Car parking is required to be provided at the following rate:
- 1.2 car space to each dwelling if the site is located within Category 1
- 1 car space to each dwelling if the site is located within Category 2
- 0 spaces are required if the site is located within Category 3, however a permit is required to provide more than 2 car spaces per dwelling.
To determine applicable category see car parking requirement maps on VicPlan. If the land is shown in two or more categories on the maps, the car parking requirements for the higher category apply to all of the land. For example, if the site is within both category two and category three, the category three rate applies to the proposal.
If the result of applying the car parking rate is not a whole number, the required number of car parking spaces is to be rounded down to the nearest whole number.
Do garden area and building height requirements need to be met?
Development applications must comply with the mandatory minimum garden area and maximum building height requirements of the relevant zone, where applicable.
What is used to assess an application?
All applications for two dwellings on a lot are assessed against the full set of standards in Clause 55 of the Maroondah Planning Scheme. This approach ensures consistency across all applications, irrespective of VicSmart eligibility.
I’m a neighbour - will I be notified of a VicSmart application?
Council will not notify neighbours that an application for a VicSmart Planning Permit has been received.
VicSmart is a streamlined planning permit application process designed for specific types of proposals. Key features of VicSmart applications include:
- A 10 business day permit assessment timeframe.
- Exemption from public notice requirements and third party appeal rights.
- Pre-set application requirements and assessment criteria.
Council cannot consider objections to these applications, and neighbours cannot appeal Council’s decision to VCAT.
How to apply for VicSmart
You do not need to apply for VicSmart. Once Council has received your Planning Permit application, it will be automatically fast tracked if it qualifies for VicSmart.
You can help streamline this assessment by submitting a completed VicSmart checklist with your application. Completing this checklist helps you to ensure you have gathered and submitted all of the required information for the class of VicSmart application.
See VicSmart checklists
Apply for a Planning Permit