The NSW Government is introducing a new housing code as part of its commitment to deliver faster approvals and greater diversity of development.
Under the new housing code certain types of medium density housing plans can be approved as complying developments from 6 July 2018.
What are the criteria for complying development approval under the new code?
Dual occupancies can be approved if:
- Blocks are at least 400m2 (or the minimum lot size according to council, whichever is greater).
- Blocks are at least 12m wide (or at least 15m where one dwelling is located above another).
- Buildings have a minimum side setback of 0.9m (with greater setbacks for blocks wider than 24m).
- Each dwelling must be at least five metres wide and no more than 8.5m high.
- Each dwelling must face a public road, and can only be located behind another dwelling on a corner lot.
Terraced developments can be approved if:
- They include three or more separate dwellings built side by side with each dwelling facing the street.
- Blocks are at least 600m2 (or the minimum lot size according to council, whichever is greater).
- Blocks are at least 18m wide.
- Buildings have a minimum side setback of 1.5m.
- Each dwelling must be at least six metres wide and no more than nine metres high.
Manor house developments can be approved if:
- They comprise a two-storey building containing three or four dwellings.
- Blocks are at least 600m2.
- Blocks are at least 15m wide.
- Buildings have a minimum side setback of 1.5m.
- Each dwelling has one secure bicycle storage space.
- Each dwelling type has a minimum internal floor area: studio – 35m2; one bedroom – 50m2; two bedrooms –70m2; and three or more bedrooms – 90m2.
Other criteria for approval
- Dual occupancy, terraces and manor houses will only be allowed as complying developments if:
- These housing types are already permitted in local environmental plans.
- They meet the relevant design criteria in the Low Rise Medium Density Design Guide.
- At least one off-road car parking space is provided per dwelling.
Are you looking to build your next project as a complying development under the new code? Register here for the next TDF event on 8 May where architect and TDF founding member Gus Fares will host a Q&A session on medium density developments.
Sources:
http://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/Policy-and-Legislation/Housing/Medium-Density-Housing
https://www.domain.com.au/advice/thousands-of-owners-on-narrow-blocks-set-to-benefit-under-nsw-government-changes-to-housing-code-20180410-h0ykdz/