Planning code reforms to unlock infill housing opportunities

• Cook Labor Government reveals largest reforms to the Residential Design Codes in decades
• Changes enable over 50,000 existing residential properties to be subdivided across the Perth metropolitan area, significantly boosting infill housing opportunities
• Review focused on simplifying the planning system and reducing the number of simple residential projects that currently need planning approval
• Proposed changes to be released for public consultation later this year

The Cook Labor Government is undertaking significant reform to the Residential Design Codes (R-Codes) to massively boost the supply of housing by simplifying the codes, enabling more lots to be subdivided and reducing the approvals timeframe.

A key proposed reform is to abolish the average lot size requirement for land coded R20 and below, allowing residential property owners on 700square metre blocks to subdivide - down from the current requirement of 900 square metres. The R20 density code generally applies to the most common suburban residential properties across the Perth metro area, with the potential for this change to enable over 50,000 existing properties to be subdivided.

The reforms cut unnecessary red tape so that more simple residential projects, such as single houses, renovations, patios and carports, no longer need planning approval.

The review is also focused on improving efficiency within the planning system, such as reducing single-home approvals from 60 to 30 days, and reducing duplication to make the R-Codes easier to navigate.

Other changes under consideration include:

• removing the minimum parking requirements for apartments and granny flats, providing greater choice of housing at a lower cost to homeowners, including first home buyers;
• increasing gentle density by allowing three storeys in R40 areas, up from two storeys; and
• redefining the baseline heights in medium and high-density areas.

The targeted review is being guided by an expert advisory group comprising representatives from the planning, local government, architecture and property development sectors, with further stakeholder engagement to continue.

The draft changes are anticipated to be released for public consultation later this year, with implementation expected from mid-2027.

The Cook Labor Government has also released a 'health check' of Perth and Peel @ 3.5million. The health check acknowledges that Perth's annual urban infill rate has been below the 47 per cent target, but the most recent data shows an encouraging increase from 34 per cent in 2023 to 39 per cent in 2024.

The State Government remains committed to lifting the rate of infill through initiatives such as these proposed reforms to the R-Codes.

The Cook Labor Government is investing a record $10.8 billion in housing measures since 2021 and is continuing to introduce new measures to accelerate housing supply.

Comments attributed to Planning and Lands Minister John Carey:

"The changes we are proposing are among the most significant reforms to the R-Codes since they were brought in three decades ago and build on previous changes to the medium density codes and our broader nation-leading planning reforms.

"The proposed changes enable tens of thousands of existing properties to be subdivided that couldn't previously - providing more opportunities for housing in existing suburbs.

"These changes will make it easier for a range of simple residential projects, like single homes, extensions and patios, to get off the ground by ensuring they aren't caught up in unnecessary red tape.  

"This package is also about enabling more medium and high-density housing, including by changing car parking requirements and allowing greater building height in these areas."