Medium-Density Code Reform
The NSW Government’s new Medium Density Housing Code came into effect on 1 April 2026, representing the most significant zoning reform since the 2021 Housing SEPP.
Key Changes
- Dual occupancies now complying development in R2 zones across 31 LGAs
- Terraces and townhouses permitted in R2 zones with minimum lot width reduced from 15m to 12m
- Manor houses (4-6 dwellings) permitted in R3 zones without DA in 12 trial LGAs
- Maximum building height increased to 9.5m for flat roofs
Affected LGAs Include
Parramatta, Canterbury-Bankstown, Inner West, Bayside, Northern Beaches, Hornsby, Ryde, and 24 others.
Developer Response
Early indications show a 23% increase in dual-occupancy DA lodgements in the first month, with knockdown-rebuild scenarios proving most popular.
