Reference Data · Victoria

Merri-Bek: what the planning scheme actually sets.

5 council-set control values across 9 residential zone schedules. Verified from the ordinance on 2026-07-02, at amendment VC312. As at 2026-08-05.

The zone code is not the answer — the schedule is. Two GRZ1 sites in different Victorian councils can carry different minimum lot sizes, because each council writes its own schedule to the state zone. Merri-Bek varies 5 control values from the Victoria Planning Provisions default across its 9 residential schedules. Those are listed first; everything else inherits the state number, which is stated as such rather than presented as this council's.

What Merri-Bek sets in schedule (5 values)

ScheduleZoneControlCouncil-set valueOrdinance
RGZ2 Residential Growth Maximum building height 13.5 m Cl.
RGZ2 Residential Growth Maximum site coverage 80% Cl.
GRZ2 General Residential Maximum building height 14.5 m Cl.
GRZ3 General Residential Maximum building height 25 m Cl.
GRZ4 General Residential Maximum building height 13.5 m Cl.

These are the numbers that differ from the state default. A site in one of these schedules is assessed against the value above, not the VPP figure.

All 9 residential zone schedules

Every parameter below is marked council-set (written into this council's schedule) or state default (inherited from the Victoria Planning Provisions). A state default is Victoria's number, not Merri-Bek's.

ScheduleZoneControlsOrdinance
NRZ1
Minister removed council's proposed 8m mandatory height and NRZ2 schedule. Reverts to VPP default 9m/2 storeys. Max 4 dwellings per lot (Minister replaced council's density-based provisions). Only NRZ1 approved. Via C153. 		Neighbourhood Residential
Cl. 32.09
Maximum building height: 9 m (state default)
Minimum lot size: 300 m² (state default)
Garden area: 35% (state default)
Maximum site coverage: 60% (state default)
Cl.
GRZ1
CRITICAL: 8m/2 storeys mandatory (BELOW VPP 11m default). 9m if slope >2.5 degrees. Confirmed from C153 submitted schedule document. Minister removed increased private open space requirements but height appears retained. Tree planting per Merri-bek Manual. Via C153. 		General Residential
Cl. 32.08
Maximum building height: 11 m (state default)
Minimum lot size: 300 m² (state default)
Garden area: 35% (state default)
Maximum site coverage: 65% (state default)
Cl.
RGZ1
Activity Centre Growth Areas — 13.5m/4 storeys discretionary. Minister removed council's proposed mandatory heights for RGZ1 (4 storeys) and proposed RGZ2 (3 storeys). Only RGZ1 approved. Reverts to VPP default. Via C153. 		Residential Growth
Cl. 32.07
Maximum building height: 13.5 m (state default)
Minimum lot size: 200 m² (state default)
Garden area: 0% (state default)
Maximum site coverage: 70% (state default)
Cl.
MUZ1
VPP defaults confirmed via Playwright. VC304. 		Mixed Use
Cl. 32.04
Maximum building height: 13.5 m (state default)
Cl.
MUZ2
VPP defaults confirmed via Playwright. VC304. 		Mixed Use
Cl. 32.04
Maximum building height: 13.5 m (state default)
Cl.
RGZ2
Schedule B2-5: 80% site coverage. Corrected 2026-07-02 (PDF-confirmed). 		Residential Growth
Cl. 32.07
Maximum building height: 13.5 m (council-set)
Minimum lot size: 200 m² (state default)
Garden area: 0% (state default)
Maximum site coverage: 80% (council-set)
Cl.
GRZ2
Bell Street Corridor. 14.5m / 4 storeys. VC304. 		General Residential
Cl. 32.08
Maximum building height: 14.5 m (council-set)
Minimum lot size: 300 m² (state default)
Garden area: 35% (state default)
Maximum site coverage: 65% (state default)
Cl.
GRZ3
Activity Centre. 25m / 8 storeys. VC304. 		General Residential
Cl. 32.08
Maximum building height: 25 m (council-set)
Minimum lot size: 300 m² (state default)
Garden area: 35% (state default)
Maximum site coverage: 65% (state default)
Cl.
GRZ4
13.5m / 4 storeys. VC304. 		General Residential
Cl. 32.08
Maximum building height: 13.5 m (council-set)
Minimum lot size: 300 m² (state default)
Garden area: 35% (state default)
Maximum site coverage: 65% (state default)
Cl.

How this was compiled, and how far to trust it

All 9 schedules here were read and verified from the Merri-Bek planning scheme ordinance by a person. Last verified 2026-07-02. Current to amendment VC312.

Planning schemes are amended continuously and this page reflects the bundle as at 2026-08-05. Values shown as state defaults are the Victoria Planning Provisions figure for that zone — correct unless and until Merri-Bek writes a schedule value, which is exactly what the first table records.

This information is provided for research and preliminary screening only. It does not constitute professional planning, legal or architectural advice. Always verify with Merri-Bek before making decisions.

Check a specific address in Merri-Bek

These are the scheme-wide numbers. Which schedule applies to a given parcel — plus its overlays and permit triggers — depends on the site. Screen one free, no signup.

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