The Low-Rise Housing Diversity Code makes it quicker and easier to build homes that offer an alternative to apartments and freestanding houses in NSW.
It allows well-designed dual occupancies, manor houses and terraces (up to 2-storeys) to be built under the fast track complying development pathway.
Approval can be issued within 20 days if the proposal complies with the State Environmental Planning Policy (Exempt and Complying Development Codes) 2008.
Dual occupancies, manor houses and terraces can only be built as complying development in zones where a council’s local environmental plan permits it.
A complying development must meet all the development standards in the code and the design criteria in the Low-Rise Housing Diversity Design Guide for complying development (PDF, 14.4 MB).
Benefits of the code
Dual occupancies, manor houses and terraces are more sustainable and affordable. Growing families, singles, and empty nesters can still enjoy having private open space to socialise, garden and play in their own home without the higher price tag.
Supports housing supply demands
The code helps to speed up housing supply through the fast-tracked complying development process. This allows the NSW Government and councils to meet the National Housing Accord targets to keep up with our rapidly growing population.
Encourages good design
The design guide gives practical advice to support high-quality, well-designed homes that respond to the character of the area and surrounding landscape.
Promotes housing diversity
The code promotes housing diversity by allowing a wider range of housing types to be built as complying development.
Creates liveable and desirable communities
The code promotes more liveable and desirable communities by making private open space and vegetation essential features of new homes.
Housing types
Dual occupancy (attached)
Two homes on a one lot of land that share a common wall. This does not include a secondary dwelling.
Dual occupancy (detached)
Two separate homes on one lot of land. This does not include a secondary dwelling.
Manor house
A manor house is a small residential flat building with 3 or 4 homes. It must meet the following criteria:
- Each home shares a common wall or floor with another home.
- At least one home is partly or fully above another.
- The building has no more than 2 storeys (not counting a basement).
Multi‑dwelling housing (terraces)
Terraces are 3 or more attached homes on one lot of land. They must meet the following criteria:
- Each home has its own ground‑level entry.
- No home is built above another.
- The homes face, and are generally aligned along, one or more public roads.
Development standards
The development standards summary tables have been created for industry professionals, including council planners, building designers, architects and certifiers.