Frequently Asked Questions

The Residential Design Codes (R-Codes) form Western Australia's primary planning framework for residential development. They establish the standards and process that guide the assessment of residential projects for matters such as dwelling density, lot size, setbacks, open space, parking provision, building height, privacy and overshadowing. 

The R-Codes help balance housing growth with neighbourhood amenity, liveability and quality urban design outcomes. They are administered and applied by local governments, the Department of Planning Lands and Heritage, Development Assessment Panels and the Western Australian Planning Commission as part of the planning approval process.

Western Australia is experiencing strong population growth and changing housing needs, creating demand for more housing choice and a broader range of housing options across established and growing communities.

The current R-Codes Review is exploring opportunities to simplify and modernise the R-Codes to make them easier to apply and to support more housing choice, diversity and supply across Western Australia. The review seeks to improve consistency in planning outcomes, reduce unnecessary complexity and ensure the R-Codes remain fit-for-purpose for Western Australian communities.

The proposed changes have been informed by a rigorous technical review of the R-Codes, supporting research, and targeted engagement with stakeholders that regularly use the R-Codes, including local governments, planning and development professionals, and peak body and industry representatives.

This work helped identify key issues with the current R-Codes, establish reform priorities and inform the development of the proposed changes. 

Based on extensive pre-liminary stakeholder engagement and technical analysis, the draft R-Codes have been developed around the following key reform directions:

• improving the structure and usability of the R-Codes;
• simplifying residential development standards;
• expanding the deemed exempt pathway and reducing the need for unnecessary planning approvals;
• increasing planning flexibility for apartments and subdivision; and
• improving guidance and supporting materials to assist consistent application of the R-Codes.

The R-Codes and Precincts WA perform different roles within the planning system, but are intended to work together.

The R-Codes provide the State-wide framework for the design and assessment of residential development across Western Australia. They establish the development standards that apply to housing, including matters such as building setbacks, open space, parking, landscaping and residential amenity.

Precincts WA applies only to designated precinct areas and provides a more detailed planning framework that responds to the specific opportunities and characteristics of those locations.

While Precincts WA may introduce precinct-specific requirements where needed, the proposed R-Codes review seeks to improve consistency in the way residential development is designed and assessed across the State. Together, the two frameworks provide a balance between consistent State-wide standards and flexibility to respond to local context and place-based outcomes.

The review of the R-Codes provided an opportunity to consider consolidation of related policy instruments, aligning with the ongoing reform of the State Planning Policy Framework. The aim is to improve usability and streamline content across planning instruments.

The review of OP 2.2 Residential subdivision found that most provisions either duplicate those in OP 1.1 Subdivision of land or are now addressed by the R-Codes. Subject to finalisation of the R-Codes Review, the remaining relevant provisions will be incorporated into draft Operational Policy Subdivision of Land, enabling OP 2.2 to be repealed.

The consultation process seeks to gather views from across the community about proposed changes to the R-Codes. The consultation process seeks to test whether the proposed changes to the R-Codes deliver the established reform direction and objectives identified through the previous targeted engagement activities. 

Community members, local governments, industry and any other interested parties are invited to provide feedback on how the proposed changes may operate in practice, including whether they are clear, workable and likely to achieve the intended outcomes. 

Feedback received through consultation will help identify practical implementation issues, unintended consequences, gaps and areas that may need further refinement before the R-codes are finalised.

The input received will inform the final R-Codes before they are presented to the Western Australian Planning Commission and help ensure they respond to the needs of the Western Australian community. 

We welcome feedback from all members of the community, industry and government, regardless of your level of planning knowledge or experience.

During the consultation period, anyone can provide feedback on the proposed changes, including:

• Residents
• Property owners
• Community groups
• Developers and builders
• Planning and design professionals
• Local governments
• Other interested stakeholders.

You can provide your feedback by: 

• completing the online feedback form under the Feedback section; or 
• posting a written submission to: Western Australian Planning Commission, Locked Bag 2506, Perth WA 6001

A good submission should:

• clearly identify the proposal, issue or area of the review you are commenting on;
• explain why you support or do not support the proposed change;
• provide examples, evidence or practical experience where relevant; and
• suggest improvements, alternatives or implementation considerations where appropriate.

For more information about public consultation, including tips on how to make a  submission, visit Public consultation in the WA planning system. 

Yes. Feedback can be provided on specific proposed provisions and standards, including how they are likely to operate in practice, whether they achieve the intended reform objective, potential impacts or unintended consequences, and any suggested refinements. The consultation material identifies where feedback is also being sought on broader aspects of particular proposals.

No final decisions have been made on the proposed R-Codes. The Review has, however, established a number of reform directions and objectives, informed by preliminary engagement with key stakeholders and users of the R-Codes.

The current consultation is seeking broader feedback on whether the proposed changes effectively deliver those objectives and whether refinement is required before the R-Codes are finalised.

Where particular proposals remain more open to influence, specific feedback is identified in consultation material and through targeted questions in the survey.

Elements of the draft R-Codes where specific feedback is being sought includes the following:

Simpler rules for lower density development - refer to Information Sheet 3

• Private open space (outdoor living area and primary garden area)
• Tree retention incentives.
• Solar access and ventilation
• Ancillary dwellings (maximum internal floor area and setbacks)
• Site cover
• Building height (low-, mid- and high-rise development)

Flexibility for apartments – refer to Information Sheet 4

• Plot ratio (apartments R80 and above)
• Car parking (resident and visitor parking for all apartments)

Lot size and density – refer to Information Sheet 5

• Removal of average site area for R10-R25 density codes
• Opportunities for maisonette/walk up development typologies
• Additional opportunities to provide flexibility for residential subdivision
  

All submissions received will be reviewed and considered alongside technical analysis, implementation considerations and objectives of the Review.

Feedback will be analysed to help determine whether the proposed changes effectively achieve the intended reform objectives and to identify any areas where refinement may be required. Where consultation is testing alternative approaches, feedback will also help inform the preferred approach to be progressed.

Consultation feedback will help identify opportunities to improve the clarity, operation, implementation and effectiveness of the proposed reforms before the final draft R-Codes is prepared and presented to the Western Australian Planning Commission for determination.

No. Individual submissions and contact information will not be published. A summary of the feedback from all submissions, covering the themes and key issues raised, will be included in a report presented to the WAPC as part of its deliberations. Details of all submissions are shared with Commission members on a confidential basis.

More information about the collection of your information, refer to the Collection Notice under the Key Supporting Information section. 

At the conclusion of public consultation, all feedback received will be reviewed and considered alongside technical analysis and policy objectives to inform the final draft of the R-Codes before it is presented to the WAPC.

Feedback will be analysed to help determine whether the proposed changes effectively achieve the intended reform objectives and to identify any areas where refinement may be required. Where consultation is testing alternative approaches, feedback will also help inform the preferred approach to be progressed.

The consultation outcomes will inform any necessary amendments to the proposed R-Codes before a final draft is prepared and presented to the Western Australian Planning Commission for determination.

If the proposed changes to the R-Codes are adopted, they will be progressed for implementation, which may occur mid to late 2027.If they are not endorsed, further review and refinement may be undertaken, and the current R-Codes will remain in effect.

Updates are provided through the project webpage at the R-Codes Review Have your say, WA! Page.

Information sheets have been prepared to assist in understanding the R-Codes and the proposed changes.

Queries about the R-Codes Review can be directed to the Residential Design Codes team by phoning 6551 8002 or emailing r-codesconsultation@dplh.wa.gov.au.

As the R-Codes are administered and applied by local government, all enquiries relating to specific development proposals (including the application and interpretation of provisions of the R-Codes to specific development proposals) must be directed to the relevant local government where the development proposal is located.

No. The R-Codes Review does not determine the allocation of density codes to individual properties or suburbs. Density coding is established through the local planning framework, including local planning schemes and other statutory planning processes. As a result, the Review will not change the density coding of land or determine where higher or lower density development can occur.

Instead, the Review focuses on the planning and design standards that apply once a density code has been assigned to land. This includes matters such as dwelling design, streetscape outcomes, site planning, development standards and assessment processes.

The consultation is therefore seeking feedback on the proposed planning and design requirements within the R-Codes, rather than on the density coding or zoning of specific properties or areas.

The R-Codes influence the type and form of housing that can be delivered across Western Australia. The review includes proposed changes intended to support housing supply and choice.

The current R-Codes remain in place. The outcome of the R-Codes Review will determine if any amendments will be made and how they may affect the way residential development is assessed in the future.

The outcome of the R-Codes Review will determine if any amendments will be made and how they may affect the way residential development is assessed in the future.

If proposed changes to the R-Codes are approved, they would apply from the date they come into effect and would not automatically result in redevelopment occurring on individual properties.

The draft R-Codes are being released for community and stakeholder feedback and may be refined based on this feedback before they are finalised. The current R-Codes and other relevant planning frameworks continue to apply. Independent legal advice should be sought if questions arise in this regard.

Generally, development approvals that have already been granted are not affected by subsequent changes to planning policies. Future proposals would be assessed against the R-Codes requirements in effect at the time of application.

The R-Codes help balance housing growth with neighbourhood amenity, liveability and quality urban design outcomes.  The R-Codes Review seeks to simplify and modernise the R-Codes, improve consistency in planning outcomes and support housing supply and housing choice. Existing planning controls for matters such as landscaping, setbacks, building height, privacy and streetscape continue to apply and are being considered as part of the review process. Consultation feedback will help inform whether the proposed balance between housing, design and amenity outcomes is appropriate.

Yes. Sustainability, urban greening, climate resilience, water-sensitive design and tree canopy outcomes are important considerations within the R-Codes Review.

The Review includes a range of provisions relating to landscaping, tree retention and tree planting, which seek to support increased tree canopy and improved environmental outcomes within residential neighbourhoods.

Yes. Planning Bulletin 112/2024, which applies to single house development in R25-R40 areas, will continue to operate.

Local governments may continue to adopt the R-MD Codes through a local planning policy where considered appropriate.

The R-MD Codes are proposed to remain as a separate Planning Bulletin and are not proposed to be incorporated into the draft R-Codes as part of this review. The R-MD Codes may be considered through a separate future review process.