Planning Zones & Controls in North Shore, Victoria

North Shore is located within City of Greater Geelong (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 North Shore and the broader City of Greater Geelong area.

Overlays & controls

Properties in North Shore may be affected by one or more of the following overlays / codes, which add extra planning controls on top of the zone.

HOHeritage Overlay
DDODesign and Development Overlay
ESOEnvironmental Significance Overlay
SLOSignificant Landscape Overlay
LSIOLand Subject to Inundation Overlay
BMOBushfire Management Overlay
DPODevelopment Plan Overlay

Planning permit activity in North Shore

Real application data for North Shore from the Victorian state planning permit register (PPARS) — records back to 2005. Local decisions are the best guide to what City of Greater Geelong actually supports here.

105

applications on record

61

permits issued

33

new dwellings proposed

91%

of recorded outcomes got a permit

Year20222021202020192018
Applications28121110

Notable recent applications

Construction of six (6) dwellings, a six (6) lot subdivision and a reduction of car parking

61 the esplanade · 2019 · No permit issued · 6 dwellings · 6 lots

Construction of four (4) dwellings

53 the esplanade north shore 3214 · 2022 · No permit issued · 4 dwellings

Construction of two (2) dwellings and a two (2) lot subdivision

3 seabeach parade · 2020 · Approved · 2 dwellings · 2 lots

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 “No permit issued” outcomes include withdrawn and lapsed applications, not only refusals.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 North Shore?

North Shore sits in City of Greater Geelong (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 North Shore carry heritage, bushfire and flood controls (see the overlays above), which can change what's allowed or require planning approval.

Check your property in North Shore

Find out exactly what planning controls apply to your property in North Shore and whether you need approval.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many planning permits have been approved in North Shore?

The Victorian state permit register (PPARS) records 105 planning permit applications in North Shore since 2005, with 61 permits issued and 33 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 Greater Geelong supports in North Shore.

What can I build in North Shore?

What you can build in North Shore — 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 North Shore, or get a $39 planning report for a plain-English answer specific to your address.

What planning zone is North Shore in?

Properties in North Shore are commonly located in the General Residential Zone (GRZ), Low Density Residential Zone (LDRZ), Residential Growth Zone (RGZ), Urban Growth Zone (UGZ). The exact zone for your property depends on its specific location within North Shore. You can check your property's zone using VicPlan or our free Property Snapshot tool.

Do I need a planning permit in North Shore?

Whether you need a planning approval in North Shore 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.