About zones
The planning scheme zones land for different uses, for example, residential, industrial, or business.
Zones reflect either:
- the main existing character of the land, or
- its desired future character.
The planning scheme then states the goals for the zone, what land uses are allowable in that zone, and the controls that will be applied to them. For example, a planning scheme will not allow an industry to set up in a residential area.
The application of zones to land is complete – there will be no gaps, and zones will not overlap.
About codes
The codes are for safety issues, environmental protection, heritage, infrastructure and amenity. Codes identify areas or issues that cross boundaries of properties or zones. They apply in addition to zone requirements.
For example, codes may identify land at risk from natural hazards such as flooding or landslide. These are mapped in an overlay. The planning controls applied are in the text of the code in the SPPs.
Not all codes are mapped using an overlay, for example, the signs code does not use an overlay.
About overlays
Overlays are the mapped parts of codes. As their name suggests, they lie over the top of zones and either:
- add additional controls, or
- modify controls from the zone rules.
Generally, overlays apply to a special feature, a single issue or related set of issues, for example:
- areas subject to airport noise
- bushfire-prone land
- flood-prone land
- landslip risk
- significant vegetation
- heritage buildings.
Some land may be affected by more than one overlay and all overlays are equally important. Most overlays make requirements about development rather than land use. Overlays do not change the intent of the zone.
There is more detail about this on the Tasmanian Planning Scheme page.
