The Cook Government has deferred gazettal of the medium density code until further notice.
Please refer to the State Government’s website for more details. The City will take a business as usual approach, applying the current legislation including the RMD codes until more information is provided by the state government.
What are the Residential Design Codes?
The Residential Design Codes (R-Codes) provide a framework for local governments and developers to ensure that residential buildings and developments meet certain design standards. They set out minimum requirements for things like setbacks, open space, and room sizes, and also provide guidance on more subjective design elements like building height and landscaping.
The R-Codes are divided into two volumes. Volume 1 applies to single houses and grouped dwellings and multiple dwellings from R2-R100. Volume 2 applies to multiple dwellings (apartments) R80 and above and R-AC. The recently introduced Medium Density Housing Code applies to single houses and grouped dwellings in areas coded R30 and above, and multiple dwellings coded R30-R60. Please see the below figure:
| SPP 7.3 Residential Design Codes | Single Houses | MGrouped Dwellings | Multiple Dwellings (including dwelling components of mixed use developments) |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volume 1 | Part B Low Density |
R25 and below | R25 and below | R10 to R25 |
| Part C Medium Density |
R30 and above; R100-SL; R-AC |
R30 and above; R100-SL; R-AC |
R30 to R60 | |
| Volume 2 | N/A | N/A | R80 and above; R-AC | |
Local governments are responsible for implementing and enforcing the R-Codes in their jurisdictions. Developers and property owners must ensure that their designs comply with the relevant R-Codes, and local governments may refuse development applications that do not meet the minimum standards set out in the codes.
What changes have been made to the Residential Design Codes?
The State Government has introduced a new Medium Density Housing Code which forms part of the amended State Planning Policy 7.3 Residential Design Codes, Volume 1 (R-Codes). This Code applies to single houses and grouped dwellings in areas coded R30 and above, and multiple dwellings coded R30-R60.
The new code aims to create better quality medium density development throughout Western Australia through:
- greater housing diversity
- reduced household running costs
- better solar passive design improving occupant amenity
- better access to gardens and open space
- greater tree canopy and trees on private lots
- clarity and consistency in planning processes.
When does the Medium Density Housing Code come into effect?
The Cook Government has deferred gazettal of the medium density code. Please refer to the State Government’s website for more details. The City will take a business as usual approach, applying the current legislation including the RMD codes until more information is provided by the state government.
How do these changes affect me?
If you are looking to develop a property and it relates to a single house or grouped dwelling in areas coded R30 and above, or to multiple dwellings coded R30-R60, then the new Medium Density Housing Code may impact the approval of your application.
What happens to the City’s existing framework that varies the 2021 Residential Design Codes?
Local development plans and structure plans that modify the ‘deemed-to-comply’ provisions of the previous version of the R-Codes and approved prior to the release of the Medium Density Housing Code are valid until expiry and will prevail over the Medium Density Housing Code. However, the City is currently reviewing these and they may be amended to align with the new Medium Density Housing Code.
For further information, please refer to the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage’s website
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the City’s planning department on 9405 5000.