Every planning control identified for any lot | Every planning rule & overlay cross-referenced in one query | Approval likelihood scored for every control | Conflicts and overrides resolved automatically | Every answer cited to the source clause | Ask planning questions in plain English | Results in under 1 second | Every planning control identified for any lot | Every planning rule & overlay cross-referenced in one query | Approval likelihood scored for every control | Conflicts and overrides resolved automatically | Every answer cited to the source clause | Ask planning questions in plain English | Results in under 1 second |
Suburb planning guide · Updated 2026-06-08

East Melbourne, VIC 3002 Zoning, development potential & planning controls

General Residential Zone dominant. Median sale $3.36M over the last 24 months. 5,959 lots resolved to zone, overlays and development potential.

Dominant zone
GRZ
General Residential Zone
Median dwelling value
$3.36M
modelled value
small second dwelling eligible
3,482
lots
Total lots
5,959
1.9 km²

Zoning

What you can build in East Melbourne

East Melbourne is dominated by GRZGeneral Residential Zone. Land use, building height, overlays, and permitted development are set per zone in the planning scheme under the Victorian Planning Provisions, with ResCode governing residential design.

GRZ
Dominant
GRZ General Residential Zone 46.1%
C1Z Commercial 1 Zone 22.7%
MUZ Mixed Use Zone 14.3%
NRZ Neighbourhood Residential Zone 8.1%
PUZ Public Use Zone 5.1%
RGZ Residential Growth Zone 2.3%
PPRZ Public Park and Recreation Zone 0.6%
SUZ Special Use Zone 0.4%
TRZ Transport Zone 0.3%
CA CA 0.1%
Avg max height
11.0 m

Limit varies by lot — check your address for the exact figure.

Theoretical dwellings
84,733

Modelled dwelling capacity if every lot built to its zone controls.

Use mix
Residential71%
Commercial23%
Environment6%

Location

Where East Melbourne sits

East Melbourne 3002 covers 1.9 km² within Melbourne.

Overlays © NSW Government
Council
Melbourne
Postcode
3002
Area
1.86 km²
Total lots
5,959

Drill into any lot in East Melbourne

Open the interactive map — click any address to see its zone, height, FSR, overlays, and approval likelihood.

Open interactive map

Development potential

Where the upside is in East Melbourne

We score every lot for development signal — under-built relative to the controls, eligible for a small second dwelling, or sized for subdivision.

small second dwelling eligible
3,482

under the VPP small second dwelling provisions (Clause 52.18 / 54)

Subdivision potential
4,434

lots that may support subdivision

Total dev potential
4,704 lots

show at least one development signal

Transport Oriented Dev
5,958 lots

within a TOD corridor (uplift expected)

Rezoning signal score
75.0 /100

average uplift signal across the suburb

Own a property in East Melbourne?

Check your lot's exact development potential — height, FSR, granny flat, subdivision, dual-occ.

Run a report on your address

Constraints & risks

What could stop you in East Melbourne

80% of lots carry a Heritage Overlay.

Suburb-wide percentages — your specific lot may have all, some, or none of these.

Flood / inundation overlay None

LSIO / Floodway overlay

Bushfire management overlay None

BMO — BAL assessment triggered

Heritage Overlay 80.3%

HO — controls on demolition & works

Potentially contaminated 15.7%

Near a recorded contaminated site

Market

East Melbourne property market

Rent and market context from state rental bond and demographic data.

Median sale price (24m)
$3,363,000
0 sales
Median rent (house)
$900 / wk
Houses

Demographics & lifestyle

Who lives in East Melbourne

ABS Census 2021 population data combined with lot-level amenity, healthcare, lifestyle, and crime indices.

Amenity score
93.0 /100

Walkable amenity within 1 km

Healthcare access
100.0 /100

GP / hospital / pharmacy proximity

Lifestyle score
80.0 /100

Cafés, parks, schools, transport

FAQs

Common questions about East Melbourne

What's the zoning in East Melbourne 3002?

East Melbourne is dominated by the GRZ (General Residential Zone) zone, which covers 2,746 of 5,959 lots (46%). The full mix is: GRZ General Residential Zone (46%), C1Z Commercial 1 Zone (23%), MUZ Mixed Use Zone (14%), NRZ Neighbourhood Residential Zone (8%), PUZ Public Use Zone (5%), RGZ Residential Growth Zone (2%), PPRZ Public Park and Recreation Zone (1%), SUZ Special Use Zone (0%), TRZ Transport Zone (0%), CA CA (0%).

What's the building height limit in East Melbourne?

Across East Melbourne, the average maximum building height is 11.0 m. Height is set per zone in the planning scheme (Victorian Planning Provisions) and can be varied by overlays and schedules. For the exact control on a specific address, generate a planning report.

Can I build a small second dwelling in East Melbourne?

Yes — 3,482 lots in East Melbourne appear eligible for a small second dwelling under the VPP small second dwelling provisions (Clause 52.18 / 54), based on lot size, zoning, and frontage. Eligibility is lot-specific: get a planning report on your address to confirm.

What's the median property price in East Melbourne?

The median sale price in East Melbourne over the past 24 months is $3,363,000, across 0 sales.

What's the median rent in East Melbourne?

Median weekly rent for a house in East Melbourne is $900.

What planning constraints apply in East Melbourne?

Across East Melbourne, 80% with heritage controls, 15.7% near contaminated sites. These are suburb-wide percentages — every lot has its own combination. A planning report on a specific address shows exactly which controls apply.

What's the development potential of East Melbourne?

4,704 of 5,959 lots in East Melbourne show identifiable development potential — under-developed for the planning controls, eligible for a small second dwelling, or capable of subdivision. 5,958 lots fall within a Transport Oriented Development corridor. Average rezoning signal score: 75.0 / 100.

Continue exploring

More planning data near East Melbourne

Compare zoning, development potential, and DA activity across other suburbs in Melbourne and nearby postcodes.

Other suburbs in Melbourne

Get a planning report for any address in East Melbourne

Suburb-wide stats are useful for context. For a buy-or-walk decision on a specific lot, you need every control, every constraint, and every clause cited to source.

Run a report — from A$29

14-section report · planning scheme + overlays cross-referenced · cited to source

Methodology & sources

Zoning, height, overlays and development potential computed from the Melbourneplanning scheme (Victorian Planning Provisions) and lot-level cadastre (5,959 lots). Hazard overlays, demographics and rent drawn from Victorian Planning Provisions & planning schemes, Victorian Building Authority / building permit activity, Victoria in Future, and ABS Census 2021. Aggregated by ZoneDSS · last updated 2026-06-08.

Suburb-wide statistics — your specific lot may vary. Always run a planning report on the actual address before making a decision. How ZoneDSS works →