THE state government has introduced relaxed amendments to residential design codes (R-Codes) aimed at boosting housing supply through removing the minimum lot size requirements for granny flats.

Compliant granny flats on residential lots of any size in Western Australia will no longer require approval under the latest state planning reform initiative to help boost housing supply.

Previously, a minimum lot size of 350sqm was required for an ancillary dwelling or granny flat. However, where a granny flat meets the deemed to comply provisions of the codes it may be exempt from development approval.

Any granny flat will need to meet setback requirements and must not exceed 70m2.

In addition to the removal of the minimum lot size, changes in most cases mean an ancillary dwelling will not be required to provide a parking bay, except for ancillary dwellings in some densities and proposed in locations where a car is more likely to be needed due to distance from public transport.

The changes made in relation to parking have been designed to allow for greater flexibility when considering parking requirements and reduce the extent of covered parking on-site, thereby opening up more of the lot for either dwelling space or garden space.

These reforms build on previous initiatives that removed the need for planning approval for some change-of-use applications and small residential projects such as pergolas and decks.

The amended state planningpolicy 7.3 will be released in mid-March 2024 and will become operational by mid-April 2024.

Contact your local council for information about building an ancillary dwelling on your property and whether an exemption applies.