Professional Documents
Culture Documents
local council, building regulations, overlays or zoning laws. The goal of these policies is to preserve the
amenity of each site and that of the neighbours.
• The setback is the average between the two neighbouring buildings of the site. If there are no
neighbouring buildings, it is 6 metres, unless stated otherwise.
• The building height cannot exceed 9 metres, unless the building is on a slope of 2.5 degrees or
more, with a property greater in width than 8 metres.
• One cannot occupy more than 60 per cent of his/her total property area. This includes roofed
structures such as garages.
• Design must make use of passive solar techniques, reducing electricity costs, and should not
impact on the energy efficiency of neighbouring properties.
• If large or significant trees are located on someone’s property he/she must retain them, or
replace them if they need to be removed.
• Side and rear setback regulations require a new building not on or within 200 millimetres of a
boundary to be set back from side or rear boundaries at least 1 metre, plus 0.3 metres for every metre
of height over 3.6 metres up to 6.9 metres, plus 1 metre for every metre of height over 6.9 metres.
• A new wall constructed on or within 200 millimetres of a side or rear boundary of a lot should
not abut the boundary for a length of more than 10 metres, plus 25 per cent of the remaining length of
the boundary of an adjoining lot.
• Buildings opposite an existing habitable room window shouldprovide for a light court to the
existing window that has a minimum area of 3 square metres and minimum dimension of 1 metre clear
to the sky.
• At least 75 per cent – or 40 square metres with minimum dimension of 3 metres – whichever is
the lesser area, of the secluded private open space should receive a minimum of five hours of sunlight
between 9am and 3pm on 22 September.
• Windows within 9 metres cannot directly look into adjacent property windows that contain
habitable rooms or onto secluded private open space.
• Windows must face an open area of 3 square metres, with 1 metre clear to the sky to allow
adequate light.
• 20 per cent of the property area must be private open space or 80 square metres, whichever is
lesser. The minimum amount required is 40 square metres, regardless of property size.
• Outdoor spaces should be built towards the north and if not, they need to be set back 2 metres
plus 0.9 metres for every metre in height.
• The designers, builders and homeowners are to encourage design detail on the facade of a
residential dwelling that respects the existing or preferred neighbourhood character.
• Fences must either be a maximum of 1.5 to 2 metres, depending on the type of street.