Project sector
Townhouses & Terraces
Townhouse-style development spans several building forms: terraces, manor houses and multi-dwelling housing. The pathway depends on whether the proposal meets the code, not on the building class. Several of these forms can be approved as complying development where the housing diversity standards are met.
Overview
The housing diversity provisions of the Codes SEPP allow terraces, manor houses and certain multi-dwelling housing to be approved as complying development where every standard is met. Building class does not close the code pathway on its own: a manor house, for example, is a Class 2 building and can still be approved by Complying Development Certificate. Where a standard cannot be met, the proposal is assessed by development application and a Construction Certificate follows.
Building class does drive the obligations that come with the approval. A Class 2 building brings the Design and Building Practitioners Act 2020 into play: regulated designs and compliance declarations must be lodged on the NSW Planning Portal before a Construction Certificate, and again before the Occupation Certificate. Fire separation and design requirements also differ from Class 1a. We confirm the class and the obligations that follow at the outset.
Typical pathway
- 01
Form and class
Confirm the building form and whether it is Class 1a or Class 2. The class sets the construction and declaration obligations, not the approval pathway.
- 02
Approval
A CDC where the housing-diversity standards are met, otherwise a DA and Construction Certificate.
- 03
Construction
Critical-stage inspections, with DBP Act declarations where the building is Class 2.
- 04
Completion
Occupation Certificate once inspections, fire safety and declarations are in place.
What shapes the assessment
Building class
Class 1a and Class 2 carry different fire-separation, design and certification requirements. The class does not decide whether the code pathway is available.
DBP Act (Class 2)
Regulated designs and compliance declarations are required on the Planning Portal at CC and OC stages.
Fire separation
Party walls and separating construction must meet the BCA for the relevant class.
Deep soil & parking
Landscaped area, deep-soil zones and parking provision are common assessment points.
Ready to get started?
Developing townhouses or terraces?
Send the scheme and we will confirm the building class, the pathway, and any Design and Building Practitioners Act obligations.
We respond to enquiries within one business day.