About the Housing Code
The NSW State Government – through the Department of Planning – is introducing a series of planning codes (called exempt and complying codes) to fast track approvals for certain types of small scale developments.
Development defined as ‘exempt’ does not need any form of approval from council.
Development types that are defined as ‘complying’ can be approved (certified as complying) by a council or an accredited certifier. The certification process should take no more than 10 days.
The first stage of the ‘Exempt Development Code’ and the NSW Housing Code (complying code) commences on 27 February 2009. The Housing Code provides a set of standards for one and two storey detached houses and alterations and additions to houses on lots greater than 450 square metres.
For a list of exempt developments and to find out more details about the NSW Housing Code visit the Department of Planning website at www.planning.nsw.gov.au/housingcode.