Grannies Win thanks to Relaxed Amendments to Residential Design Codes in WA

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The Cook Government has introduced relaxed amendments to Residential Design Codes (R-Codes) aimed at boosting housing supply through removing the minimum lot size requirements for ancillary dwellings. 

Shelter WA welcomes the announcement by the Cook Government that planning approval is no longer required for compliant granny flats up to 70sqm. Previously, a minimum lot size of 350sqm was required for an ancillary dwelling or granny flat. 

Shelter WA CEO Kath Snell says this is a low-cost way to help relieve Perth’s housing shortage. “We’ve always looked at how vacant or underutilised properties, prefabricated or tiny homes on ‘lazy land’ and ancillary dwellings can help to relieve overcrowding and other pressures leading to homelessness,” Ms Snell said.  

“This is a valuable addition to the housing market, for anyone currently struggling with housing affordability or on a low income, and especially to older women who are now the fastest growing cohort of people facing homelessness in Australia.” 

Needed Housing Supply 

Shelter WA’s Pre-Budget Submission 2024-25 calls for increased resourcing for ancillary dwellings in WA, pointing to the successful Kids Under Cover program interstate which pairs fast-build, high-quality prefabricated housing with underutilised spaces in backyards to provide stable accommodation for 1,000 young people at risk of homelessness each night.  

An recent analysis of development opportunity for granny flats by national town planning research platform Archistar, real estate construction lender Blackfort, and property data and analytics provider CoreLogic found “granny flats present an immediate and cost-effective opportunity to deliver much needed housing supply within existing town planning guidelines”. 

“For homeowners, the addition of a second self-contained dwelling provides an opportunity to provide rental housing or additional accommodation for family members, while at the same time, increasing the value of their property and potentially attaining additional rental income,” the report said.

Queensland removed restrictions on renting out secondary dwellings in 2022 and in Victoria granny flats up to 60 sqm no longer require a council planning permit, only a building permit. 

Implementation Soon 

The amended WA Government planning policy 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. 

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