General Residential Zone (Clause 32.08) in Whittlesea
Last checked 7 July 2026
The General Residential Zone (GRZ) is Victoria's default, broadest residential zone, used to encourage a diversity of housing types and housing growth in locations with good access to services and transport, while remaining responsive to neighbourhood character. Whittlesea applies 5 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 Whittlesea'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 32.08 generally requires
Shown on the planning scheme map as GRZ, R1Z, R2Z or R3Z with a number (if shown).
Purpose
To implement the Municipal Planning Strategy and the Planning Policy Framework.
To encourage development that is responsive to the neighbourhood character of the area.
To encourage a diversity of housing types and housing growth particularly in locations offering good access to services and transport.
To allow educational, recreational, religious, community and a limited range of other non-residential uses to serve local community needs in appropriate locations.
How Whittlesea's scheme varies this
Whittlesea's 5 General Residential Zone schedules:
- GRZ1 — Schedule 1
- GRZ2 — Land At 510 and 560 Findon Road, South Morang — sets a maximum building height: “A building used as a dwelling, small second dwelling or a residential building must not exceed a height of 13.5 metres and 4 storeys”
- GRZ4 — Neighbourhood Interface Areas
- GRZ5 — Suburban Residential Areas
- GRZ6 — Mckimmies Road Renewal Site
Only 1 of the 5 schedules (GRZ2) set an explicit maximum building height for a dwelling that differs from the general standard; the rest rely on that general standard instead. One item doesn't vary at all: none of Whittlesea's GRZ schedules exempt standard dwelling construction or extension from the minimum garden area requirement — every schedule that addresses this question answers the same way.
Where this applies
This applies to land shown on the Whittlesea planning scheme map as GRZ (or, for Schedule 1, also R1Z/R2Z), which is split across the 5 local schedules above. Which schedule applies to a given address depends on its location within the municipality.
Frequently asked questions
How many General Residential Zone schedules does Whittlesea have?
Whittlesea's planning scheme currently has 5 local schedules to Clause 32.08: GRZ1, GRZ2, GRZ4, GRZ5, GRZ6.
Do all of the GRZ schedules set the same maximum building height?
No. 1 of the 5 schedules set an explicit maximum building height for a dwelling that differs from the general standard; the others rely on that general standard instead.
Is standard dwelling construction exempt from the minimum garden area requirement?
No. Every one of Whittlesea's General Residential Zone schedules that addresses this question answers the same way — construction or extension of a dwelling, small second dwelling or residential building is not exempt from the minimum garden area requirement.
What is the General Residential Zone generally used for?
Under the Victoria Planning Provisions, the General Residential Zone is generally used to encourage development that is responsive to neighbourhood character, and to encourage a diversity of housing types and housing growth, particularly in locations offering good access to services and transport.