Is Your Property Suitable?
Keyland are Specialists in the Rules and Regulations
The Australian Government has recognized the need to increase affordable housing across Australia.
In response to this need, State Governments have made many recent changes to the legislation’s that cover the building of Granny Flats. We have summarised the important bits for you, below. The rules listed above apply to properties between 450 and 900sqm. For properties over 900sqm, contact us, or refer to SEPP guidelines shown below.
Does a Granny Flat need to Comply with all Local Council planning regulations, like when building a regular house?
No! That’s one of the great things about building Granny Flats and Cabins. You only need to comply with a much smaller and simpler set of basic guidelines set out by the NSW State Government. These guidelines override the regular planning regulations of your Local Council.
The State guidelines are called a State Environment Planning Policy or SEPP. Whereas your Local Council’s regulations are called a Local Environment Plan or LEP.
Does a Granny Flat need to Comply with all Local Council planning regulations, like when building a regular house?
No! That’s one of the great things about building Granny Flats and Cabins. You only need to comply with a much smaller and simpler set of basic guidelines set out by the NSW State Government. These guidelines override the regular planning regulations of your Local Council.
The State guidelines are called a State Environment Planning Policy or SEPP. Whereas your Local Council’s regulations are called a Local Environment Plan or LEP.
Granny Flat Government Regulations and Factsheets
Here is some handy information about the Government Policy on Granny Flats and Secondary Dwelling requirements
SEPP – State Environmental Planning Policy
The State Environmental Planning Policy (Affordable Rental Housing) 2009 encourages the development of secondary dwellings, commonly known as granny flats, by:
• Allowing granny flats to be approved as complying development in 10 days;
• Allowing granny flats to be built in all residential zones;
• Setting clear standards for the development of granny flats.
(Click to Download PDF)
BASIX – Building Sustainability Index Guidelines
The Building Sustainability Index (BASIX) aims to deliver equitable, effective water and greenhouse gas reductions across the state. BASIX is one of the strongest sustainable planning measures to be undertaken in Australia.
To generate a BASIX certificate for a secondary dwelling it is necessary to consider whether the secondary dwelling is new works in its own right or if it is an alteration and addition to the existing dwelling. (Click to Read More)
GOVERNMENT SUPPORTING AFFORDABLE HOUSING
The NSW Government has made granny flats, easier and faster to build. We aim to help mums and dads create a place for those who need a space of their own, like elderly parents or those generation Y children who haven’t yet left home. These secondary dwellings also give families the chance to use a Granny Flat as a source of additional income in these challenging economic times. (Click to Download PDF)
ELECTRONIC HOUSING CODE SYSTEM
The Electronic Housing Code (EHC) is a free to use online system that allows users to determine whether proposed works fall under exempt or complying development. (Click to See if Your Development is possible)