Medium Density Residential Design Codes
The Medium Density Residential Design Codes are nearly here.
State Planning Policy 7.3 - Residential Design Codes Volume 1 (R-codes) is changing on 1 September 2023 with the implementation of the Medium Density Residential Design Codes. This policy change will affect half of residential lots within the City of Stirling and will provide for different building typologies in R30 coded areas and above. The below table outlines in what residential density codings the new Medium Density R-codes will apply.
| SPP 7.3 Residential Design Codes | Single Houses | Grouped 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 | R30 and above; R100-SL; R-AC | R30 to R60 |
| Volume 2 | N/A | N/A | R80 and above; R-AC |
The new code will apply to the development of Single Houses, Grouped Dwellings and Multiple Dwellings in many areas across the City:
- Balcatta
- Balga
- Churchlands
- Coolbinia
- Dianella
- Doubleview
- Glendalough
| - Inglewood
- Innaloo
- Joondanna
- Mirrabooka
- Mount Lawley
- Nollamara
- North Beach
| - Scarborough
- Stirling
- Trigg
- Tuart Hill
- Wembley
- Westminster
- Yokine
|
See where the new code will apply
View the medium density map to view impacted areas.
See map See mapWhat this means for future Development Applications
To enable an efficient transition to the new policy, the City will require the help of the development industry with the lodgement of new development applications in Medium Density areas in the lead-up to 1 September 2023.
To facilitate this change, the City requests that all residential development applications lodged from 12 June 2023 for Medium Density coded areas consider the new and amended provisions in the R-Codes Vol. 1 2023 – Part C.
The City will collaborate proactively with applicants who lodge applications from 12 June 2023 to ensure applications are processed as efficiently as possible to negate any time and cost delays associated with redesigning proposals to adhere to the new Medium Density requirements.
Prior to 1 September 2023, the City will be updating its website with new development application checklists and additional material to help assist with this transition to designing to the Medium Density R-codes.
The City looks forward to working with the Development Industry to facilitate the new Medium Density codes and the high-quality development it will provide across the City of Stirling.
If you have any queries relating to the implementation of the Medium Density R-codes please do not hesitate to contact the City Development Services Business Unit.
What are the Medium Density Residential Design Codes?
The Medium Density Residential Design Codes is part of the State Government’s broader Action Plan for Planning Reform. The purpose of this Reform is to achieve more consistent planning outcomes, improve approval processes and provide great places for people to live, work and play across Western Australia.
Within this Reform, the Medium Density Residential Design Codes have been designed to address several notable challenges and poor outcomes being created using the current planning framework including the following:
- A loss of existing established trees with little opportunity for the planting of new trees.
- New developments being designed with high site coverage taken by up dwellings, garages, and driveways.
- An increase in impermeable surfaces such as paving and driveways for the areas surrounding new dwellings.
- Reduced open space and loss of backyards for newer dwellings, particularly in groups of units which only provide small, covered courtyards.
- Low quality building materials being used with high energy costs and poor sustainability outcomes.
The Medium Density Residential Design Codes is a significant update to the existing State Planning Policy 7.3 – Residential Design Codes Volume 1, which is more commonly referred to as the ‘R-Codes’.
This update will result in residential development applications (single houses, grouped dwellings and multiple dwellings/apartments) in medium density areas (R30 and above) being assessed against new and modified provisions compared to the current planning framework. These new provisions are intended to provide better-quality built form outcomes by setting higher standards for residential development.
When do they come into effect?
State Planning Policy 7.3 - R-Codes Volume 1 2023 will be publicly gazetted and come into effect on the 1 September 2023. This will include both the Low Density (Part B) and Medium Density (Part C) provisions.
To ensure that new development applications which are lodged with the City are processed efficiently, the City may request that applications lodged from 12 June 2023 be designed in accordance with the new medium density provisions.
What house types do the Medium Density Residential Design Codes provide?
The Medium Density Residential Design Codes will impact the following housing types:
- Single houses (detached houses and some battleaxe and townhouse lots) in areas coded R30 and above.
- Grouped dwellings (units, townhouses, etc) in areas coded R30 and above.
- Multiple dwellings (apartments) coded R40 – R60*.
* The City Local Planning Scheme No. 3 only permits Multiple Dwellings within areas located R40 and above.
Will my address be affected?
Please refer to the City’s online Intramaps system to check whether your address is located within a Medium Density area. The City’s Intramaps system can be accessed here.
Will development application timeframes remain the same?
Development application timeframes will remain unchanged. For residential applications (single houses, grouped dwellings and multiple dwellings/apartments comprising less than 10 units and an estimated value less than $2 million) this is generally 60 days from the date of lodgement.
There are however certain circumstances which will extend this timeframe to 90 days from the date of lodgement, for example referral of the application to an external agency such as Main Roads Western Australia.
For further information on development application timeframes, please contact the City’s Development Services Department on (08) 9205 8555.
Will the City’s other planning polices, structure plans and local development plans be affected?
The City will be working with the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage to review the existing local planning framework. The existing framework will continue to apply in accordance with the special transitional arrangements outlined in the new R-Codes Volume 1 2023 until 1 September 2025.
For further information, please contact the City’s Development Services Department on (08) 9205 8555.
Will additions, extensions, and alterations to existing properties within affected areas be impacted?
Additions, extensions and alterations to single and grouped dwellings will need to comply with the new Medium Density Residential Design Codes. Development which proposes variations to the deemed-to-comply requirements of the Medium Density Residential Design Codes will require the lodgement of a development application to demonstrate compliance with the applicable design principles.
For further information on development application requirements, please contact the City’s Development Services Department on (08) 9205 8555.
Where can I view the policy documents?
A copy of the State Planning Policy 7.3 and associated documents can be viewed on the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritages website by clicking here.