Is My Property Suitable For A Granny Flat?
The simplest way to build a granny flat (up to 60m2) is through the Affordable Housing Scheme. Your plans can be approved by a Private Certifier within 14 days as a Complying Development, without the need to go through the Council’s DA process.
Your property needs to meet the following criteria to be able to achieve approval through the Affordable Housing scheme for a detached granny flat. If it doesn’t meet these criteria, you may still be able to build an attached granny flat or you may be able to have your plans approved through the Council DA process.
Site Requirements
1. Granny flats are permitted in the following development zones that will be in your local council's LEP:
a. Zone R1 General Residential
b. Zone R2 Low Density Residential
c. Zone R3 Medium Density Residential
d. Zone R4 High Density Residential
e. Zone R5 Large Lot Residential (via development application only)
f. Equivalent zones for the local council area. A guide to the equivalent zones is available here.
2. Your property size must be at least 450m2.
3. Your property must be at least 12m wide at the front building line.
4. A Battle-axe block must have an access way of at least 3m wide.
5. Maximum floor space of all dwellings including: upstairs, downstairs, granny flat, garages, carports, awnings & patios:
a. Up to 330m2 for a block 450-600m2
b. Up to 380m2 for a block 600-900m2
c. Up to 430m2 for a block 900m2 +
6. The setbacks from the boundaries must be:
a. 3m from rear boundary (or 5m if your block is larger than 900m2)
b. 0.9m from side boundaries (or 1.5m if your block is larger than 900m2)
c. If building your Granny Flat on the front of your block, the setback from the front boundary must be the average of the setbacks of the nearest two houses.
d. There must be 1.8m between the house and the Granny Flat. If not, fire rated walls will be required. This can easily be achieved by using brick or fire rated cladding.
e. If your block has parallel roads (meaning a road or laneway at the front and back) the setback is still 3m unless the nearest road to the flat is deemed as a classified road in which case the setback is 9m or the allowable setback as set out by the local council. (whichever is the lesser)
Note: A two story granny flat or addition over a garage is possible but may require larger setbacks from the boundaries.
7. The maximum height of your granny flat will be 3.8m high (measured from lowest natural ground point to top of roof) if on the minimum side and rear setback. This can increase if the granny flat moves further away from the boundaries.
8. Your property must have 25% of its surface for landscaping – garden or turf. Half of this must be behind the main house.
9. The granny flat must have at least 24m2 of outside entertainment space accessible from a living area.
10. The excavation (cut & fill) for your granny flat must not exceed:
a. 1 Meter if located within 1 Meter of a boundary
b. 2 Meters if located between 1 to 1.5m from a boundary
c. 3 Meters if more than 1.5 from a boundary
11. Stormwater (water from the granny flat roof) must be connected to one of the following:
a. Existing stormwater – usually gravity fed to the street
b. An Inter Allotment drainage easement (sometimes found running across the rear of a property which slopes away from the street)
c. If neither are available, we may be able to construct a dispersion or rubble pit
12. Are there any protected trees on or near your property? You must build 3m or more from the tree. If you do have a protected tree which can’t be avoided, you can apply to the Council and may be able to remove it.
13. You will need to go through the DA process if your property is located in:
a. Flood zone
b. Bush Fire Zone (Flame zone or BAL 40)
c. Heritage or Conservation Area
Check your Section 10.7 (2&5) Certificate (also known as your Planning Certificate, or previously known as Section 149 Certificate) to find out if any of the above applies to your property. You may have a Planning Certificate if you bought your property recently, otherwise you can download one on-line or apply for one from your Council – usually a charge of approx. $160 applies:
14. A granny flat cannot be built on a property where there are already 2 or more dwellings found. For more information please visit the NSW Government Planning & Environment Fast Track Approval Fact Sheet available here.
If your property meets these requirements, plans can be drawn up for your new granny flat and approved under Complying Development legislation. The design must follow the Australian Building Standards and have a BASIX certificate to ensure it meets the NSW Government’s sustainability regulations. Our designers are up to date with the latest regulations and will ensure your design meets these criteria to enable a smooth build process.
You can choose one of our standard designs, have us design you a customised granny flat, or use an architect of your choice.