WA government relaxes restrictions on granny flats

Western Australia's Residential Design Codes (R-Codes) have been revised in an effort to streamline the planning approval process and supply more housing diversity across the state.

Under the amended codes, the minimum lot size requirement of 350 square metres for ancillary dwellings will be scrapped. Planning approval will no longer be required for compliant granny flats of up to 70 square metres on residential zoned land, allowing homeowners to skip straight through to the next phase of development - seeking a building permit.

Granny flats will no longer need to be compatible with the design of the existing onsite dwelling and there will no longer be a requisite for a car bay in areas within close proximity to public transport. In addition, secondary dwellings will now be permitted in grouped dwellings and strata lots. Granny flats will still need to meet setback requirements and must not exceed 70 square metres.

Planning minister John Carey said the new exemptions for ancillary dwellings will assist with supplying more housing options, more diversity and more choice for residents in the state. "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," Carey said.

"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."