CDC - Part 3 Housing Code - Summary of key development standards

What is complying development under this code?

For works to be complying development under Part 3 Housing Code of the Codes SEPP the proposed works must be for:

The erection, alteration or addition to any 1 or 2 storey dwelling house or any attached development

The erection, alteration or addition of any detached development

The site must meet the following requirements:

• located in zone R1, R2, R3, R4 or RU5

• be at least 200m2 in size

• be at least 6m wide (as measured at the building line)

• only result in 1 dwelling house on the lot at the completion of the development

• have lawful access to a public road at completion of the development

• if the development is on a battle-axe lot - the lot must be at least 12m by 12m (not including the access laneway) and must have an access laneway that is at least 3m wide

• if the development is on a corner lot - the width of the primary road boundary of the lot must be at least 6m

Secondary dwellings (granny flats)

A secondary dwelling with a separate development or complying certificate consent does is not count towards the

limit of 1 dwelling house per site. The Housing Code does not apply to secondary dwellings. 

Refer to the Housing SEPP for complying development standards for secondary dwellings (eg granny flats).

What is not complying development under this code?

For works to be complying development under Part 3 Housing Code of the Codes SEPP the works must not be for:

• the erection, alteration or addition to, a roof terrace on the top most roof of a building

• development that is complying development under the Housing Alterations Code

• development that is attached to a secondary dwelling or group home,

• the erection of a building over a registered easement

• the erection of a common wall,

• the alteration of, or an addition to, a garage or carport that is located forward of the building line

• the construction of a basement that will have an area that exceeds the limits below -

For lots with a width of 6m - 10m: 25sqm

For lots with a width of more than 10m: 45sqm

Comprehensive Development Standards Summary

Category	Control / Clause	Lot Area / Width Requirement	Standard / Requirement
Bulk & Scale	Combined Floor Area (3.9)	200–250m²	78%
		250–300m²	75%
		300–350m²	235m²
		350–450m²	25% of lot area + 150m²
		450–560m²	290m²
		560–600m²	25% of lot area + 150m²
		600–740m²	335m²
		740–900m²	25% of lot area + 150m²
		900–920m²	380m²
		920–1,000m²	25% of lot area + 150m²
		1,000–1,500m²	25% of lot area + 150m²
		>1,500m²	400m²
	Max Storeys (3.1)	All	2 Storeys
	Max Height (3.8)	All	8.5m
Setbacks	Primary Road (3.10)	<450m²	3m or average
		450–900m²	4.5m or average
		900–1,500m²	6.5m or average
		>1,500m²	10m or average
	Side Setback (3.10)	6–10m width	0.9m for any height up to 5.5m; for heights above 5.5m, the setback increases by 1m for every 4m of additional height, added to the base 0.9m
		10–12.5m width	0.9m for any height up to 4.5m; for heights above 4.5m, the setback increases by 1m for every 4m of additional height, added to the base 1.5m
		12.5–24m width	1.5m for any height up to 4.5m; for heights above 4.5m, the setback increases by 1m for every 4m of additional height, added to the base 1.5m
		>24m width	2.5m
	Rear Setback (3.10)	200–300m²	3m (if <4.5m high); 10m/avg (if >4.5m high)
		300–900m²	3m (if <4.5m high); 8m (if >4.5m high)
		900–1,500m²	5m (if <4.5m high); 12m (if >4.5m high)
		>1,500m²	10m (if <4.5m high); 15m (if >4.5m high)
	Secondary Road (3.10)	200–600m²	2m
		600–1,500m²	3m
		>1,500m²	5m
Landscaping	Min. Area (3.13)	200–300m²	10%
		300–450m²	15%
		450–600m²	20%
		600–900m²	30%
		900–1,500m²	40%
		>1,500m²	45%
	Other Landscape	Min Width	1.5m
		Front Setback	25% of front zone (width <18m); 50% (width >18m)
		Rear Location	50% of total landscape area must be behind building line
Boundary Walls	Max Permitted (3.10)	6–10m width	Both sides (subject to conditions)
		10–12.5m width	One side only
		>12.5m width	Not permitted
	Max Height/Length	Height	3.3m or same as neighbor
		Length	20m/50% depth (6-10m) or 10m (10-12.5m)
Special Sites	Parallel Road	All	3m (reduction to <3m for some attached devs)
	Battle-Axe	Front Setback	3m
	Rear Lane	Setback	<0.9m permitted for 50% of rear boundary width
	Classified Road	Setback	9m (or as per planning instrument)
	Public Reserve	Setback	3m
Amenity	Private Open Space	<10m width	16m²
		>10m width	24m²
	Windows/Doors	Openings	No openings within 900mm of side boundary
		Habitable Rooms	1 window/door to living/bedroom facing primary/parallel road
	Garages	Door Width	3.2m (width <12m); 6m (width >12m)
		Access	Min 1 space if width >8m; Lane/Secondary access only if width <8m

Additional Standards: Detached Development & Studios

Element	Standard - Detached (Excl. Studios)	Standard - Studios (3.25)
Max Height	4.5m	4.8m (6m if within 0.9m of lane)
Floor Area	36m² (<450m² lot); 45m² (450–600m²); 60m² (600–900m²); 100m² (>900m²)	20m² (lot <350m²); 36m² (lot >350m²)
Setbacks	0.9m side/rear (<18m width); 1.5m (>18m); 2.5m (>24m)	0.9m side/rear (<18m width); 1.5m (>18m)
Location	Behind building line (excl. garages/carports)	Built to boundary may be permissible

Ancillary Controls & Exceptions

Outdoor Entertainment (3.12): Only permitted if lot area >300m² and width >10m. Combined area max 12m². Floor level heights above ground vary by setback: <3m setback = 2m floor; 3-6m = 3m floor; >6m = 4m floor.

Basements (3.2): Max 25m² (<10m width); Max 45m² (>10m width).

Heritage (3.22): Detached developments not permitted on lots adjoining lanes/secondary roads in HCAs. Adjoining other lots: must be behind building line, <20m² area, and no closer to side boundary than house.

Technical Requirements: 

• Drainage: Must be gravity-fed to public or inter-allotment system.

• Structural: Walls within 900mm of boundary require a professional engineer's report.

• Privacy: Screens required in certain situations (refer to Part 4).

Additional Notes:

Clarification on Attached Balconies & Decks (Clause 3.12)

• Elevation Restriction: A balcony, deck, patio, terrace, or verandah attached to the side or rear elevation is only permitted if:

• 
  

  • The lot area is greater than 300m².

  • The lot width is greater than 10m.

• Height/Area Cap: If the floor level is more than 2m above existing ground level and within 6m of the side or rear boundary, the max combined area is 12m².

Privacy & Window Specifications (Clause 3.14 / 3.15)

• Corner Lots: A new dwelling on a corner lot must have a window to a habitable room of at least 1m² that faces and is visible from the secondary road.

• Opening Proximity: No wall within 900mm of a side boundary may have a window, door, or any other opening.

Car Parking & Access Nuances (Clause 3.16)

• Battle-axe Lots: Vehicles must leave the property in a forward direction.

• Alterations: At least 1 car space must be retained during any alterations or additions.

Secondary Road Setbacks for Garages/Carports (Clause 3.23)

There is a specific setback for detached garages/carports facing a secondary road:

• 2m (Lot area 200–600m²)

• 3m (Lot area 600–1,500m²)

• 5m (Lot area >1,500m²)

Detached Studio Height (Clause 3.25)

• The height is generally 4.8m, but it increases to 6m if the studio is within 0.9m of a lane.

Earthworks & Trees (Clauses 3.30 – 3.33)

• Earthworks: Standards exist for excavation, fill, and retaining walls; professional input is required at certain thresholds.

• Protected Trees: Pruning or removing trees is governed by Clause 3.33 and Part 4 of the Guide.