Granny flat exemptions commence to boost housing diversity

• Revised R-Codes exemptions now in effect for ancillary dwellings
• No planning approval required for compliant granny flats up to 70 square metres on residential zoned land
• Exemptions remove minimum lot size and requirement for extra car bay

Relaxed amendments to Residential Design Codes (R-Codes) aimed at boosting housing supply by removing minimum lot size requirements for an ancillary dwelling - commonly known as a granny flat - have taken effect today.

From today:

• R-code compliant granny flats on residential lots of any size in Western Australia will not require planning approval, allowing homeowners to simply seek a building permit;
• granny flats will no longer be required to be compatible with the design of the existing dwelling;
• the minimum lot size requirement of 350 square metres has been removed opening up greater diversity of housing choice, while ancillary dwellings will now also be permitted in grouped dwellings and strata lots; and
• ancillary dwellings or granny flats are not required to have a parking bay, except for some densities or locations where a car is more likely to be needed due to distance from public transport.

Granny flats will still need to meet setback requirements and must not exceed 70 square metres. Residential property owners should contact their local government for information about building an ancillary dwelling and whether an exemption applies.

Comments attributed to Planning Minister John Carey:  

"Our Government is continuing to do everything we can to bolster housing supply throughout Western Australia - including through nation-leading planning reforms that cut unnecessary red tape.

"The new exemptions for ancillary dwellings - or granny flats - offer a boost to housing diversity, choice and supply for residential areas in Western Australia.

"This is just one of the major reforms to Western Australia's planning system that aim to accelerate the delivery of diverse housing supply across the State.

"Our major planning reforms align with the National Planning Reform Blueprint agreed to by National Cabinet and complement our Government's unprecedented $2.6 billion investment in housing and homelessness measures."