Planning Zones & Controls in Portarlington, Victoria

Portarlington 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 Portarlington and the broader City of Greater Geelong area.

Overlays & controls

Properties in Portarlington 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 Portarlington

Real application data for Portarlington from the Victorian state planning permit register (PPARS) — records back to 2004. Local decisions are the best guide to what City of Greater Geelong actually supports here.

549

applications on record

306

permits issued

651

new dwellings proposed

91%

of recorded outcomes got a permit

Year20222021202020192018
Applications957634964

Notable recent applications

Staged multi lot subdivision, creation of reserves and alteration of access to a road in a transport zone 2

185-235 geelong road portarlington 3223 · 2022 · Approved · 305 lots

Development of a multi level mixed use building containing two shops, use of eleven (11) apartments and base

49 newcombe street portarlington 3223 · 2021 · No permit issued · 16 dwellings · 19 lots

Construction of eleven (11) dwellings with four of these dwellings more than 7.5 metres above natural ground l

125 tower road · 2021 · Approved · 11 dwellings · 10 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 “No permit issued” outcomes include withdrawn and lapsed applications, not only refusals.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 Portarlington?

Portarlington 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 Portarlington carry heritage, bushfire and flood controls (see the overlays above), which can change what's allowed or require planning approval.

Check your property in Portarlington

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How many planning permits have been approved in Portarlington?

The Victorian state permit register (PPARS) records 549 planning permit applications in Portarlington since 2004, with 306 permits issued and 651 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 Portarlington.

What can I build in Portarlington?

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

What planning zone is Portarlington in?

Properties in Portarlington 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 Portarlington. You can check your property's zone using VicPlan or our free Property Snapshot tool.

Do I need a planning permit in Portarlington?

Whether you need a planning approval in Portarlington 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.