Planning > Planning Schemes and Maps Online > Planning Schemes Online
Answers to frequently asked questions
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The answers to frequently asked questions are below:
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Q: What do the number and letter codes mean?
A: Each code represents a particular map or a particular zone or overlay (either the ordinance clause or the area to which the ordinance clause applies).
There are a few different types of codes ... some are just numbers (eg. 26), some are just letters (eg. ESO), and some are a combination of letters and numbers (eg. 10HO, HO7, R1Z).
Q: What are the different places where these codes can be found?
A: The places that these codes can be found are:
More detail
Codes on the PS Map page
On the PS Map page, you will see an index map of the whole planning scheme area - with a grid which divides it into managable map areas. Each of these map areas is numbered. Here you will see codes such as 1 and 1HO.
Codes on index map example:
The single numbers (1, 10, 46, etc) represent the maps which show all of the zones in a particular map area. eg. 1 indicates the map which shows all of the zones in map area number 1.
The numbers and letters (1HO, 10ESO, 46LSIO, etc) represent the maps which show a particular overlay in a particular map area. eg. 1HO indicates the map which shows the Heritage overlay in map area number 1.
Codes on the individual detailed maps
You will see a code in the map title box (which is generally the same as the code that appeared on the index map) and then codes on the detailed map itself.
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Codes on zones detailed map example:
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Codes on overlay detailed map example:
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On a zones detailed map
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On an overlay detailed map
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The title bar code will be something like '29'.
In the map itself you will see zone codes such as R1Z and RUZ.
The zone codes (R1Z, RUZ, etc) represent particular zones. eg. R1Z indicates the Residential 1 Zone.
The Ordinance provisions (text) relating to this zone will have the same/similar code.
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The title bar code will be something like '29DDO'.
In the map itself you will see overlay codes such as DDO4.
The overlay codes (HO, DDO4, etc) represent particular overlays. eg. DDO4 indicates the Design and Development Overlay - Schedule 4.
The Ordinance provisions (text) relating to this overlay will have the same/similar code.
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Codes in the PS Home page drop lists and in the Ordinance PDF files
The codes represent the same part of the Planning Scheme that they represent on the detailed maps (see above) ... except that it is the Ordinance (textual rules and regulations) rather than the map (showing where rules and regulations apply to).
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Codes in zone Ordinance drop list example:
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Codes in overlay Ordinance drop list example:
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Codes in zone PDF example:
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Codes in overlay PDF example:
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The zone codes
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The overlay codes
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The zone codes (R1Z, RUZ, etc) represent particular zones. eg. R1Z indicates the Residential 1 Zone.
The map showing this zone will have the same/a similar code.
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The overlay codes (HO, DDO4, etc) represent particular overlays. eg. DDO4 indicates the Design and Development Overlay - Schedule 4.
The map showing this overlay will have the same/a similar code.
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Q: Are there any maps for Greater Geelong in PSO?
A: No. There are no digital images of Greater Geelong Planning Scheme maps available yet. Planning Schemes Online contains only the Ordinance for the Greater Geelong Planning Scheme.
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Q: How many planning scheme maps does Victoria have?
A: There are approximately 9 800 planning scheme detailed maps in Victoria.
Q: How many planning scheme ordinance files does Victoria have?
A: There is a total of approximately 11 500 ordinance files in the Victorian Planning Schemes. Generally, each file contains just 1 ordinance clause file.
Q: How many planning schemes does Victoria have?
A: Victoria has 81 planning scheme areas, and thus has 81 Planning Schemes ... one for each of the 78 Victorian municipalities, and one for each of the 3 Victorian special planning areas (Alpine Resorts, Port of Melbourne, and French and Sandstone Island.).
Q: How many different zones does Victoria have?
A: In the new planning scheme structure, Victoria has a total of 25 standard zones which can be used, and each individual planning scheme uses only those zones which are appropriate for that area.
Q: How many different overlays does Victoria have?
A: In the new Planning Scheme structure, Victoria has a total of 22 standard overlays which can be used, and each individual Planning Scheme uses only those overlays which are appropriate for that area.
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Q: How do I display the zones and overlay legend?
A: There are two ways you can display the zones and overlay legend:
- Automatically.
When you open open the Planning Scheme's map page, the zones and overlay legend will open automatically (in a separate window).
- Link on the Planning Scheme map page.
Go to the Planning Scheme map page. The link to the full zones and overlay legend is found in the top left hand corner. When you click on the link, it will open the legend in a new window. The map page will stay live, but may be hidden behind the legend window.
Please note: the zones and overlay legend is more extensive than the abbreviated legend that appears on the zone maps; the zone and overlay legend is also linked to detailed information on each of the zones and overlays it lists.
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Q: What does 'Ordinance' mean?
A: Select to read the definition of 'Ordinance'.
Q: How is the Ordinance (planning scheme text) set out?
A: In Planning Schemes Online, the layout of the Ordinance reflects that of the Statutory Document.
- The Statutory Planning Scheme Ordinance (hardcopy) is a single document, arranged like a book. The Planning Scheme has been divided up into smaller more workable parts, and stored as a number of PDFs. The PDF documents are whole ordinance clauses (eg. 11, 12, 13), subclauses (eg. 32.01, 42.03), or in some cases - sub-subclauses (eg. 21.01-5, 21.01-6).
The PS home page Ordinance section allows you to open each of the PDFs that belong to that Planning Scheme. If you open the 'Contents' PDF (located in first section of home page Ordinance links) you will see that the layout of the PS Home Page Ordinance section reflects the structure of the Statutory Planning Scheme document.
- Select to find out how many ordinance files Victoria has.
Q: How do I use the Ordinance (planning scheme text)?
A: Select to find out how to use the Ordinance.
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Q: What is a PDF?
A: A 'Portable Document Format' file.
Q: Can I search a PDF?
A: Yes. Once you have opened a PDF, using the  find button.
NB: this will only search the PDF you have open.
How to search a PDF:
- Open the PDF you are interested in.
- Click on the find button.
- A window will pop up - type in the word(s) you are trying to find.
- Click on the
 button.
Q: The words are too small to read. Can I zoom in an out in a PDF?
A: Yes. Once you have opened a PDF, using the  zoom button.
How to zoom in a PDF:
- Open the PDF you are interested in.
- Click on the the zoom button.
- Position your mouse cursor over the words you are trying to read, and then:
- To zoom in, click on the left mouse button.
- To zoom out, click on the right mouse button - and select a zoom option.
Q: Can I print a PDF?
A: Yes. Once you have opened a PDF, using the  print button.
How to print a PDF:
- Open the PDF you are interested in.
- Click on the print button.
For more information about using PDFs, go to the Help section in your version of Adobe Acrobat Reader, or go to the Adobe website.
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Q: What are planning certificates?
A: Planning certificates are official documents issued under the authority of the Planning and Environment Act.
Q: What do planning certificates do?
A: Planning certificates state which planning scheme applies to the land and what the zones and overlay controls are. Planning certificates provide specific information about the planning scheme as they affect a property at the date of the certificate. They include information on the zoning of the land and, if applicable, overlay controls, and any exhibited proposed amendments to the planning scheme.
Q: Where can I find out more about planning certificates? How can I get one?
A: To find out more about planning certificates, including how to apply for a planning certificate online, go to the DSE Planning Certificates page.
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Q: Why can't I print the Planning Schemes Online banner?
A: For most users, the option to print background colours and images will be the default setting in their internet browser. However, if your internet browser is not set to this default, then your printouts will not match what you see on the screen. To change the print backgrounds option, you need to go to your browser's help file to find how this setting is changed within your particular browser (usually the setting can be changed within the options section of the print window).
Q: Why can't I print the maps properly?
A: In Planning Schemes Online, the pre-existing format for detailed maps has been utilised. The maps that you are looking at on your screen are big A2 maps, and they are GIF files. In the short-term, this means that there are some functional limitations for online maps (viewing, printing and searching). Work is already underway to provide maps that will do a lot more.
More detail
The official hardcopy (printed) maps are big A2 maps, and are produced from JPG files.Planning Schemes Online has made use of these pre-existing big A2 maps (but converted to GIF files for faster download) because it was a time and cost time effective way to make planning scheme information more accessible now - in particular to those people in remote areas. The necessary concessions (zoom, printing, and searching) were tolerable given the considerable benefits of having something online immediately.
Work has already started to provide interactive maps which are much more internet user friendly. These interactive maps are hoped to be available online in the future, and should provide easy search, zoom, and printing capabilities.
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Q: Can I just type in my address and have the appropriate map open automatically?
A: No. The maps are non-searchable GIF files. In Planning Schemes Online, the pre-existing format for detailed maps has been utilised. The maps that you are looking at on your screen are big A2 maps, and they are GIF files. In the short-term, this means that there are some functional limitations for online maps (viewing, printing and searching). Work is already underway to provide maps that will do a lot more.
More detail
The official hardcopy (printed) maps are big A2 maps, and are produced from JPG files.Planning Schemes Online has made use of these pre-existing big A2 maps (but converted to GIF files for faster download) because it was a time and cost time effective way to make planning scheme information more accessible now - in particular to those people in remote areas. The necessary concessions (zoom, printing, and searching) were tolerable given the considerable benefits of having something online immediately.
Work has already started to provide interactive maps which are much more internet user friendly. These interactive maps are hoped to be available online in the future, and should provide easy search, zoom, and printing capabilities.
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Q: What is a zone and what is an overlay?
A: Select the appropriate link below to find out what a zone is and what an overlay is
Q: How can I find information about the zones and overlays?
A: You must look in the MAPS and in the ORDINANCE.
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Q: Can I zoom in and out on the maps?
A: No. In Planning Schemes Online, the pre-existing format for detailed maps has been utilised. The maps that you are looking at on your screen are big A2 maps, and they are GIF files. In the short-term, this means that there are some functional limitations for online maps (viewing, printing and searching). Work is already underway to provide maps that will do a lot more.
More detail
The official hardcopy (printed) maps are big A2 maps, and are produced from JPG files.Planning Schemes Online has made use of these pre-existing big A2 maps (but converted to GIF files for faster download) because it was a time and cost time effective way to make planning scheme information more accessible now - in particular to those people in remote areas. The necessary concessions (zoom, printing, and searching) were tolerable given the considerable benefits of having something online immediately.
Work has already started to provide interactive maps which are much more internet user friendly. These interactive maps are hoped to be available online in the future, and should provide easy search, zoom, and printing capabilities.
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Q: I haven't been able to find an answer to my question - what do I do now?
A: Please go to the feedback page.
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