Planning Zones & Controls in Balwyn, Victoria
Balwyn is located within City of Boroondara (Victoria). The following planning zones and overlays are commonly found in this area.
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Planning Zones
These zones are commonly applied to properties in Balwyn and the broader City of Boroondara area.
Overlays & controls
Properties in Balwyn may be affected by one or more of the following overlays / codes, which add extra planning controls on top of the zone.
Planning permit activity in Balwyn
Real application data for Balwyn from the Victorian state planning permit register (PPARS) — records back to 2000. Local decisions are the best guide to what City of Boroondara actually supports here.
1,419
applications on record
468
permits issued
1,891
new dwellings proposed
86%
of recorded outcomes got a permit
| Year | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Applications | 13 | 65 | 71 | 73 | 70 |
Notable recent applications
Use of the land for dwellings (clause 34.01-1); construction of a three (3) storey building above basement car
1/259 whitehorse road · 2021 · Approved · 47 dwellings
Construction of nineteen (19) dwellings on a lot and a front fence greater than 1.5 metres in height.
1-5 threadneedle street · 2019 · No permit issued · 18 dwellings
Construction of eleven (11) dwellings on a lot
17 parring road balwyn 3103 · 2021 · No permit issued · 10 dwellings
Source: Victorian state planning permit register (PPARS), records to mid-2023. Council participation varies by year; figures are indicative. “No permit issued” outcomes include withdrawn and lapsed applications, not only refusals.
What can you build in Balwyn?
Balwyn sits in City of Boroondara (Victoria). What you can build — a granny flat, a subdivision, a second dwelling, townhouses or an extension — depends on your property's zone and overlays. These guides set out the Victoria rules for the most common projects:
Heads up: parts of Balwyn carry heritage controls (see the overlays above), which can change what's allowed or require planning approval.
Check your property in Balwyn
Find out exactly what planning controls apply to your property in Balwyn and whether you need approval.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many planning permits have been approved in Balwyn?
The Victorian state permit register (PPARS) records 1,419 planning permit applications in Balwyn since 2000, with 468 permits issued and 1,891 new dwellings proposed across all applications. The register's public extract runs to mid-2023; recent local decisions are a strong guide to what City of Boroondara supports in Balwyn.
What can I build in Balwyn?
What you can build in Balwyn — such as a granny flat (secondary dwelling), a subdivision, a second dwelling, townhouses or a house extension — depends on your property's planning zone and any overlays, together with the Victoria planning rules. See the project guides above for Balwyn, or get a $39 planning report for a plain-English answer specific to your address.
What planning zone is Balwyn in?
Properties in Balwyn are commonly located in the Neighbourhood Residential Zone (NRZ), General Residential Zone (GRZ), Commercial 1 Zone (C1Z), Residential Growth Zone (RGZ). The exact zone for your property depends on its specific location within Balwyn. You can check your property's zone using VicPlan or our free Property Snapshot tool.
Do I need a planning permit in Balwyn?
Whether you need a planning approval in Balwyn depends on the zone your property is in, any overlays that apply, and the type of work you are proposing. Most new dwellings, extensions, subdivisions, and changes of use require approval. Some minor works may be exempt or "accepted development" depending on the zone and overlay controls. Use our free tools to check your specific situation.
How do I find my property's planning zone?
You can find your property's planning zone by searching your address on VicPlan, the official Victoria planning map. It shows the zone, overlays, and other planning controls that apply to any property in Victoria.
Nearby suburbs
Other suburbs in City of Boroondara:
Elsewhere in Victoria: