- 4 steps to acquiring a Construction Certificate and Development Application approval in Sydney
- How to achieve a cost-effective building design
- Draft Local Environmental Plan now on exhibition for the City of Parramatta Council
- Changes to Home Building Act now in effect
- New Housing Diversity SEPP to hinder build-to-rent and seniors housing developments
- Update on developer contributions
- Low Rise Housing Diversity Code now operating in all NSW local government areas
- NCC 2019 Amendment 1 has taken effect!
- The Residential Apartment Buildings (Compliance and Enforcement Powers) Act 2020 (NSW)
- Changes to what is deemed "physical commencement"
- COVID-19 buys time on DA process
- Alternative assessment introduced for large boarding houses
- Draft Design and Building Practitioners Bill 2019
- Canterbury LEP changes to Boarding Houses
- The Low Rise Medium Density Housing Code (MDHC) has been deferred again
- Changes to Certifiers' compliance powers and new provisions for CC's and OC's
- The Low Rise Medium Density Housing Code has been deferred
- NCC 2019 has taken effect!
- The introduction of the Options Paper - ‘Improving Certifier Independence’
- NSW Combustible Cladding Regulation
- IHAPS to be introduced for all Sydney Councils
- New simplified housing code
- BASIX energy targets to change
- Guide to building tolerances is released
- General Housing Code changes
- Introduction of the Inland Housing Code for Complying Development
- Complying development for dual occupancies and townhouses
- Positive changes to Home Building Compensation Fund
- New online planning tools
- BCA 2015
- Swimming Pools are now required to be registered
- NSW Government releases green paper
- BASIX Certificates are no longer free
- SEPP (Affordable Rental Housing) 2009 Amendment 2011
Low Rise Housing Diversity Code now operating in all NSW local government areas - 1 Jul, 2020
Low Rise Housing Diversity Code now operating in all NSW local government areas
The introduction of the (formerly) Low Rise Medium Density Housing Code in July 2018 aimed to provide more liveable and affordable housing arrangements for growing families and empty nesters within existing neighbourhoods and streetscapes.
Amendments to the Code
While most local government areas had already adopted the Code, as of 1st July 2020, councils that had a temporary deferral from the Code, now also have the ability to build dual occupancies, manor houses and terraces via a simplified Complying Development process. In response to stakeholder feedback, several amendments to the Code also came into effect on 1st July, including:
· Code has been renamed “Low Rise Housing Diversity Code” to better reflect the variety of housing types contained within the Code.
· Minimum lot sizes for manor houses and terraces have been reduced in alignment with the council’s Local Environmental Plan (LEP) to promote more efficient design.
· Minimum lot sizes for dual occupancies are no longer subject to 60% rule to ensure accordance with council’s LEP, or where unspecified – 200m2.
· Minimum frontage for dual occupancies reduced to 15m, or 12m where lot is only accessible via secondary road, parallel road, or lane, to promote more efficient design and uniformity in local character.
· Minimum landscaped areas for dual occupancies and terraces have been clarified to promote vegetation and uniformity in local landscape settings.
· Exclusions to Complying Development under this Code have been highlighted:
o Development that is in-fill affordable housing within the meaning of Division 1 of Part 2 of State Environmental Planning Policy (Affordable Rental Housing) 2009
o Development on unsewered land
o Development on land susceptible to landslide
Benefits of the Code
The Low Rise Housing Diversity Code helps homeowners save time and money by promoting fast-tracked approvals and more efficient design without compromising on amenities or local character. Beyond the ease of approval (including via an accredited certifier), the Code presents a number of other benefits to homeowners and their communities:
· Encourages good quality and sustainable design that evolves with the area and your lifestyle.
· Allows for greater choice given the diversity in housing types suitable for Complying Development.
· Meets demand for housing for ever-growing population.
· Promotes more desirable and healthy living conditions with open space, light, natural ventilation, and privacy.
Further Information
The NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment has provided resources in response to some Frequently Asked Questions. They are available for download here:
- FAQs Code and design guide for Complying Development
- FAQs for residents and landowners
- FAQs for councils and industry
- 4 steps to acquiring a Construction Certificate and Development Application approval in Sydney - 2 Feb, 2021
- How to achieve a cost-effective building design - 27 Jan, 2021
- Draft Local Environmental Plan now on exhibition for the City of Parramatta Council - 2 Sep, 2020
- Changes to Home Building Act now in effect - 31 Aug, 2020
- New Housing Diversity SEPP to hinder build-to-rent and seniors housing developments - 24 Aug, 2020
- Update on developer contributions - 22 Jul, 2020
- Low Rise Housing Diversity Code now operating in all NSW local government areas - 1 Jul, 2020
- NCC 2019 Amendment 1 has taken effect! - 1 Jul, 2020
- The Residential Apartment Buildings (Compliance and Enforcement Powers) Act 2020 (NSW) - 10 Jun, 2020
- Changes to what is deemed "physical commencement" - 15 May, 2020