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The new Code will make it easier, faster and cheaper for property owners in rural and regional inland areas of NSW to get approval for new homes, home renovations and farm buildings. It brings together and simplifies the planning rules for fast-track complying development approvals in one easy-to-read Code.
The new Code and farm building standards will be included in the State Environmental Planning Policy (Exempt and Complying Development Codes) 2008 (State Policy) and aim to:
New one and two storey homes and home renovations can be undertaken as complying development in inland NSW where the proposal meets all of the relevant development standards in the new Code. These standards have been developed following consultation with the community, councils and industry.
A homeowner can save up to $15,000 for a new home and $2600 for home renovations under complying development.
The new Inland Code brings together the planning rules for fast-track approvals of one and two storey homes and home renovations for all residential and rural zones in inland NSW, making it easier, faster and cheaper for homeowners to get an approval.
Expanded complying development standards have also been included in the Inland Code for large farm buildings that are subject to requirements under the Building Code of Australia, including farm sheds.
View more detail about the new Code on the Planning Portal.
The Code will apply to 69 local government areas in inland NSW as shown on the Inland Code map.
Consistent with the Housing Code and Rural Housing Code, the proposed development must be allowed under the Council’s Local Environmental Plan to be complying development under the Inland Code.
The Inland Code will not apply to new release areas where the Greenfield Housing Code applies. It will also not apply to:
Changes have also been made to the General Exempt Development Code to make it easier to build low impact farm buildings.
The changes will mean:
These changes apply across the State and mean that planning and building approval is not required for farm buildings where the relevant development standards are met.
Existing exempt development restrictions will apply to farm buildings. This means the changes do not apply on land that is:
The new farm building standards are available here.
The new Inland Code and farm building changes will commence on 1 January 2019. This delayed commencement will provide time for the community and stakeholders to understand the changes and for the Department to provide training sessions.
An education program will be rolled out across NSW to assist the community and stakeholders to learn more about the new Inland Code.
An online e-module about the Inland Code is available below.
Once the Inland Code begins there will be a two-year transitional period. During this time applicants can choose from several codes, depending on the zoning of their land:
At the end of the transitional period, applicants in inland NSW will no longer be able to use the Housing Code or Rural Housing Code.
The transitional period will not apply to the exempt development standards for farm buildings.
The timeline below shows how these Codes can be used.
Other codes can also be used in inland NSW, including the Low Rise Medium Density Housing Code, Greenfield Housing Code, Housing Alterations Code, General Development Code, Commercial and Industrial Codes and Demolition Code.
The Department’s new eModule is a short online course which provides useful information on the Inland Code, which has been introduced to increase the use of complying development in inland NSW and achieve faster approvals for houses and farm buildings.
Participants can put their learning into practice by answering 10 questions to obtain a Certificate of Completion.
The Module is designed for:
Page last updated: 08/01/2020