Neighbourhood Residential Zone (Clause 32.09) in Greater Geelong
Last checked 7 July 2026
The Neighbourhood Residential Zone (NRZ) is a residential zone used across Victoria to protect areas of predominantly single and double storey housing where neighbourhood character, heritage, environmental or landscape features are a priority. Greater Geelong applies 8 local schedules to the zone, each covering a different part of the municipality and each capable of setting its own local standards.
This describes what Greater Geelong's planning scheme generally states, as last checked by PolicyPing. It isn't a site-specific assessment or a substitute for advice from a licensed practitioner. For your specific address, see ReefReport. Read the full methodology.
What Clause 32.09 generally requires
Shown on the planning scheme map as NRZ with a number (if shown).
Purpose
To implement the Municipal Planning Strategy and the Planning Policy Framework.
To recognise areas of predominantly single and double storey residential development.
To manage and ensure that development is responsive to the identified neighbourhood character, heritage, environmental or landscape characteristics.
To allow educational, recreational, religious, community and a limited range of other non-residential uses to serve local community needs in appropriate locations.
How Greater Geelong's scheme varies this
Greater Geelong's 8 NRZ schedules:
- NRZ1 — North Shore
- NRZ2 — Urban Preservation Areas
- NRZ3 — Geelong West — sets a maximum building height: “A building used as a dwelling, small second dwelling or a residential building must not exceed a height of 9 metres”
- NRZ4 — Ocean Grove Significant Tree Area
- NRZ5 — Ocean Grove Hillside and Coastal Fringe Area — sets a maximum building height: “A building used as a dwelling, small second dwelling or a residential building must not exceed a height of 9 metres and 3 storeys”
- NRZ6 — Barwon Heads Incremental Change Area
- NRZ7 — Warrenbeen Court Residential Area, Barwon Heads
- NRZ8 — Incremental Change Areas
2 of the 8 schedules (NRZ3 and NRZ5) set an explicit maximum building height for a dwelling that differs from the general standard; the rest don't set a different figure, so the general standard applies there instead. Minimum subdivision area also varies: 2 of the 8 schedules (NRZ2 and NRZ7) set their own minimum lot size for subdivision, each a different figure.
Where this applies
This applies to land shown on the Greater Geelong planning scheme map as NRZ, which is split across the 8 local schedules above. Which schedule applies to a given address depends on its location within the municipality.
Frequently asked questions
How many Neighbourhood Residential Zone schedules does Greater Geelong have?
Greater Geelong's planning scheme currently has 8 local schedules to Clause 32.09: NRZ1, NRZ2, NRZ3, NRZ4, NRZ5, NRZ6, NRZ7, NRZ8.
Do all of the NRZ schedules set the same maximum building height?
No. 2 of the 8 schedules set an explicit maximum building height for a dwelling that differs from the general standard; the others rely on that general standard instead.
Does the minimum subdivision area change between schedules?
Yes. 2 of the 8 schedules set their own minimum lot size for subdivision; the rest don't set a different figure from the general provisions.
What is the Neighbourhood Residential Zone generally used for?
Under the Victoria Planning Provisions, the Neighbourhood Residential Zone is generally used to recognise and protect areas of predominantly single and double storey residential development, where development is expected to be responsive to identified neighbourhood character, heritage, environmental or landscape characteristics.