SMALL SECOND DWELLING | DEFINITIONS | VICTORIA

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What did they just say?

There are some words you might hear people working with small second dwellings use that you might not have heard before. So, we put together a list to help.

Need more? Get in touch, and we’ll see what we can do.

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Some of the words might sound a bit strange. So, to help demystify the lingo, here's a list of terms and what they mean. 🤔

A building with a gross floor area of 60 square metres or less, on the same lot as an existing dwelling and used as a self-contained residence, which must include:
             a) a kitchen sink;
             b) food preparation facilities;
             c) a bath or shower; and
             d) a toilet and wash basin.
The vertical distance from natural ground level to the roof or parapet at any point.
The direct path between two points. It’s called the “line of sight” because if a person were standing at one point, the LOS would be the path they look along. If an object were blocking the view, it would be considered out of sight or an obstructed line of sight.
Any area on a lot with a minimum dimension of 1 metre that does not include: a) a dwelling, small second dwelling or residential building, except for:
  • an eave, fascia or gutter that does not exceed a total width of 600mm;
  • a pergola;
  • unroofed terraces, patios, decks, steps or landings less than 800mm in height;
  • a basement that does not project above ground level;
  • any outbuilding that does not exceed a gross floor area of 10 square metres; and
  • domestic services normal to a dwelling, small second dwelling or residential building;
b) a driveway; or c) an area set aside for car parking.
The total floor area of a building, measured from the outside of external walls or the centre of party walls, and includes all roofed areas.

Any room of a dwelling, small second dwelling or residential building other than a bathroom, laundry, toilet, pantry, walk-in wardrobe, corridor, stair, lobby, photographic darkroom, clothes drying room and other space of a specialised nature occupied neither frequently nor for extended periods.

A structure, other than a tent, caravan, or vehicle, which is designed to be moved from place to place on more than one occasion.

Movable unit means a house capable of being transferred from place to place.

A low protective wall along the edge of a roof.
That part of private open space primarily intended for outdoor living activities which enjoys a reasonable amount of privacy.
Reticulated electricity is supplied from an electricity distribution network (power lines and cables) to the small second dwelling.
Reticulated natural gas is distributed by pipeline.
 
A small second dwelling must not be connected to a reticulated natural gas pipeline.

Water suitable for drinking supplied by a pipeline. 

That part of private open space primarily intended for outdoor living activities which enjoys a reasonable amount of privacy.
The minimum distance from any allotment boundary to a building.

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