Building Height & Colours

Building height can be determined by measuring the vertical distance between natural ground level to the roof or parapet at any point.

Service infrastructure including air conditioning units must be included in the height calculation, however structures such as receiving antennae, chimneys or flues are not included.

A storey is the part of a building between floor levels.

If there is no floor above, it is the part between the floor level and ceiling. It may include an attic, basement, built over car parking area and mezzanine.

Wall height is the vertical distance between the top of the eaves at the wall line, parapet or flat roof (not including a chimney), whichever is the highest, and the natural ground level.

Plans should include:

• A site plan with contours at intervals of one metre or less;
• A cross section through the tallest part of the building. The line of the cross section (the transect) must be marked on the site plan;
• A perspective for each face of the building.

   

  The plans must be to scale and have specified dimensions for:

• Natural ground level;
• Finished ground level;
• Floor levels;
• Maximum wall height;
• Maximum height of the building;

Setbacks from site boundaries

The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning has a publication on building heights which can be viewed for further information.

This publication includes diagrams on measuring building heights and storeys, including where the land is sloping

DELWP - Maximum building heights and number of storeys

There are many colours and finishes that will blend with the landscape. The ones that will be approved for use in all cases* are listed below.

The following Colorbond** colours are suitable:

Also, for an extensive list of Dulux** colour finishes, please visit http://www.dulux.com.au/applicator/colour/colour-atlas.aspx

(When selecting a colour, the LRV value must be less than 40 for it to be an approved colour).

* This does not apply to land that is affected by a Heritage Overlay under the Mornington Peninsula Planning Scheme.

**Council does not endorse the use of any particular pre-painted product

Some colours or finishes require a planning permit under the Design and Development Overlay (DDO) provisions of the Planning Scheme and require that the external finish of all buildings must be of a low reflectivity (less than 40% reflectivity) to minimise glare and light reflection. Roofing materials are included, unless the roof pitch is 5 degrees or less and is not overlooked from any adjoining buildings, land or roadways. Solar panels are exempt from this requirement.

If your land is affected by a Heritage Overlay (HO) under the Mornington Peninsula Planning Scheme then a planning permit will usually be required. You can check this by viewing the schedule to the HO in the Planning Scheme and determining if external paint controls apply. If your land is affected by the HO you should seek advice from Council’s Heritage Planner regarding colours and finishes.

In some cases, the use of a different finish or colour may result in a better outcome. For example, it might achieve consistency with an existing streetscape or maintain the character of a heritage building. Under the DDO provisions you will not need planning approval for a reflective colour used in a minor dwelling extension, so long as the floor area of the additions does not increase by more than 25% the floor area of the existing dwelling, and the colour matches the existing dwelling.