On this page:

Clause 54

Clause 54 of all planning schemes applies to all single dwellings, including alterations and extensions, where the land is within one of 6 residential zones:

  • Residential Growth Zone
  • General Residential Zone
  • Neighbourhood Residential Zone
  • Housing Choice and Transport Zone
  • Mixed Use Zone
  • Township Zone.

Most new single dwellings and alterations or extensions to existing single dwellings don’t need a planning permit.

Single dwellings that require a planning permit under another provision in the planning scheme aren’t subject to the clause 54 provisions unless specified by a provision of the relevant planning scheme. They will be assessed against the residential development provisions through the building permit process.

Objectives and standards

Objectives

An objective describes the desired outcome in the completed development. A development must meet all the objectives of clause 54 that apply to the application.

The objectives aim to achieve residential development that:

  • respects neighbourhood character
  • protects amenity
  • is sustainable.

You can’t "trade off" between objectives.

Council must consider the associated standard and decision guidelines when they decide if the development meets each objective.

Standards

Each objective contains a standard. A standard contains the requirements to meet the objective.

Standards should normally be met. However, if the council is satisfied that an application for an alternative design solution meets the objective, the alternative may be considered.

Council can vary some of the standards in clause 54 by using a schedule to a residential zone or a schedule to a Neighbourhood Character Overlay.

If a development meets standard A3, A4, A5, A6, A10, A11, A12, A13, A14, A15, A16, A17 or A20, it is deemed to meet the objective for that standard.

Where standard A3, A4, A5, A6, A10, A11, A12, A13, A14, A15, A16, A17 or A20 is met the decision guidelines for that standard do not apply to the application.

Decision guidelines

Decision guidelines set out the matters the council must consider before deciding if an application meets the objectives.

Most objectives of clause 54 have decision guidelines.

The decision guidelines help council to decide if:

  • the objective will be met if the standard is met
  • the objective will be met if an alternative design solution is used

Council can add local decision guidelines using a schedule to a residential zone.

Council doesn’t need to document its consideration of each individual decision guideline. A general statement that council has considered all of the objectives and decision guidelines in the report on the application will usually be sufficient after a merits assessment.

Planning practice notes

The following practice notes help to explain the residential development provisions and remain applicable to a residential application made under clause 54:

Building permits and single dwellings

The development of a dwelling will require a building permit.

Page last updated: 07/03/25