Dual Occupancy on the northern beaches is one of our most popular enquiries (second only to development objection letters)! We are talking with customers weekly in regards discussing what they can and can’t do on their Northern Beaches regarding dual occupancy potential.
Our Principal Planner was born and raised on the Northern Beaches and began his career at Pittwater Council and worked there for over 5 years as a development planner. As a result of this experience and connection with the Northern Beaches it is not surprising that a high portion of our clients are from the Northern Beaches. We love helping our Northern Beaches clients to get their development approvals or help neighbours with their development objection letters.
One of our most common enquiries is whether our northern beaches clients can subdivide or do a dual occupancy for their property. Our experience and local knowledge help our clients understand what they can and can’t do for their property.
Dual occupancy is defined as two dwellings located on the same lot but does not include a secondary dwelling.
Attached dual occupancy is defined as “2 dwellings on one lot of land that are attached to each other”
Detached Dual Occupancy is defined as “2 detached dwellings on one lot of land”.
Getting approval for a dual occupancy does not mean you can sell them separately, in order to do this you will need to apply for subdivision of the dual occupancy through either strata subdivision or Torrens Title Subdivision.
Northern Beaches Council
For those that are new to the Northern Beaches area you might not be aware that the Council area of the Northern Beaches was previously made up of three Council areas known as Pittwater Council, Warringah Council and Manly Council. In the reforms of local Councils it was determined that the three Councils should amalgamate to save costs amongst other things. Unfortunately for the town planning side of things the three original Council Local Environmental Plans have been retained and now for the Local Govermental Area we need to look at three seperate legislations depending on where the subject site is located.
The biggest difference between the three LEPs is in relation to the handling of dual occupancies within the R2 Low Density Residential Zoning. Each LEP treats dual occupancy differently with Warringah not allowing it within the R2 zone, Pittwater restricting dual occupancies to site over 800sqm and Manly having no restrictions. The below provides some addition information for dual occupancies for the different Local Environmental Plans..
Where are they permitted?
Dual occupancies (both attached and detached) are permitted in the R2 Low Density Residential Zone and the R3 Medium Density Residential Zone and attached dual occupancies are permitted in the R5 Large Lot Residential Zone and the R2 Rural Landscape Zone.
What site requirements do I need to meet?
Under the Pittwater Local Environmental Plan you need to have a lot size of at least 800sqm for a dual occupancy (see Clause 4.1B for more information).
If you want to look at subdividing the dual occupancy you will need to meet the minimum lot size requirement under Clause 4.1 of the LEP. This applies to both Torrens Title and Strata Subdivision.
Popular areas for dual occupancy
In the Pittwater area a lot of the area has been restricted to single dwellings until a change in legislation in 2014, now dual occupancies are becoming more prevalent. Some common areas for dual occupancy has been Mona Vale, Newport, Avalon, Warriewood, Elanora Heights and Narrabeen. Areas such as Palm Beach, Whale Beach and Bayview are also slowly catching up however these areas are restricted due to the smaller lot sizes and the topography of the site.
Attached VS Detached in Pittwater
In the Pittwater Area a lot of residents can take advantage of an attached or detached dual occupancy development. Please note though that if you are looking at pursuing a detached dual occupancy in Pittwater then the house at the rear of the site is restricted to being only single storey.
Lot Requirements
There are minimum frontage dimension requirements, however these depend on the area of your dual occupancy. Please contact us for more information on site depths and widths.
Where are they permitted?
Warringah is fairly restricted regarding dual occupancies compared to Pittwater and Manly with dual occupancy development only being permissible in the R3 Medium density zoning.
What site requirements do I need to meet?
Under the Warringah Local Environmental Plan there is no dual occupancy specific controls. If you are wanting to Torrens Title the dual occupancy at the end of the development then you will need to meeting the minimum lot size requirement under clause 4.1.
What site requirements do I need to meet?
Due to the restriction for dual occupancies to one single zone, there is dual occupancy specific requirements under the LEP or DCP.
Popular areas for dual occupancy
You will find dual occupancies, generally, where ever you find the R3 zone pockets. There are some existing dual occupancies that were approved prior to these restrictive requirements.
Popular areas include Dee Why, Brookvale, Collaroy and Narrabeen.
Where are they permitted?
Dual occupancies (both attached and detached) are permitted in the R1 General Residential, R2 Low Density Residential Zone and the R3 Medium Density Residential Zone and attached dual occupancies are permitted in the E4 Environmental Management Zone.
What site requirements do I need to meet?
Under the Manly Local Environmental Plan there is no dual occupancy specific controls. If you are wanting to Torrens Title the dual occupancy at the end of the development then you will need to meeting the minimum lot size requirement under clause 4.1.
Popular areas for dual occupancy
You will find dual occupancies all over Manly including areas such as Fairlight, Balgowlah, Manly, Queenscliff and so many more.
The State Government in 2018 unveiled a new change to SEPP Exempt and Complying Development Codes to permit dual occupancies under a complying development certificate. Northern Beaches Council and a large number of other Councils were opposed to this change as it would allow a dual occupancy to be constructed well below the minimum lot size and the lot size restriction for dual occupancy developments. It is noted that if an LEP provides a minimum lot size for dual occupancies then you still need to comply with this.
The backlash from the Councils resulted in the deferral of the legislation for certain Council areas with the Northern Beaches Council being one of those areas.
The deferral was initially set for 6 months but since then it has been extended a number of times and official ran out as of the 1st July 2020. In response to the new dual occupancy codes the Northern Beaches Council have submitted a planning proposal to the department of planning to remove dual occupancies as a permissible use within the R2 zones. This is still being reviewed by the department of planning so if you are located within an R2 zone and wish to take advantage of the new changes then we suggest you get started quickly.
We assist our clients with a wide variety of town planning services including:
Reports
Get us to provide you with the report you need to get the job done! We provide the following reports:
Town Planning Advice
Our experienced town planners can provide you with expert advice to help you with your development: We offer the following services:
Approvals
Let us help you obtain your approval! We provide the following approval services:
Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED) is a crime prevention strategy that focuses on the planning, design and structure of cities and neighbourhoods. We discuss the principles of CPTED that are required to be assessed in any Crime Risk Reports for development applications.
Review of Environmental Factors State Environmental Planning Policy (Transport and Infrastructure) 2021 allows schools, TAFE and Universities to obtain approval for developments without requiring Council Development Application approval. We explain the process and what types of development can be achieved without Council approval.
Change of use and fitouts for cafes, shops etc within heritage buildings or conservation areas require Council approval. Find out what is required with any development application to obtain your approval and start operating.
We recently prepared an objection letter to a Queensland Council on behalf of local residents of Mount Fox regarding a battery farm for a solar panel project. The battery farm was in an ecological area with concerns regard bushfire and clearing of native vegetation.
Are you looking at purchasing a property and want to know what you can do with the site? Or maybe you already own a property and want to know how you can maximise the site. We can assist with a preliminary town planning report to determine what is permissible within your zoning.
Dual occupancy on the Northern Beaches is in demand and we take the time to explain where you should look and the limitations to obtaining a development application for dual occupancy on the Northern Beaches. We explain the different zoning requirements across the three Local Environmental Plans (Manly, Warringah and Pittwater) and give you some inside information on development.
How do you gain approval for sex services (brothel)? We discuss selecting a site, the development application process for Council approval and how to overcome the issues with the approval process.
Are you looking at chicken farming? Get the experience of a town planning firm that has assisted many farmers obtain their approvals. We provide details on how to obtain approval for your poultry farm!
How to gain approval for a gym, personal training, yoga studio, pilates studio or any development within the fitness industry. We take you through what to look for for a site and what is required with to lodge a development application.
Development objection letters are a source of pain and confusion for many home owners. Have you received a notification in the mail about a development application and want to write a submission. We outline some steps to help you prepare a Council development application objection letter and be successful for changes to the DA or even Refusal! Learn how to review the plans, ask for more time and put together a simple, cohesive objection letter.
A case study of the benefits of outsourcing your town planning services to a qualified and competent consultant such as The Planning Collective. We can write your statement of environmental effects and other reports or lodge your development applications.
Our clients are what makes us come to work every day and do the work we do. If love your job, you will never work a day in your life, and that is the mentality that we try to live by. Below are some examples of some happy customers who have willingly provided some testimonials.
Boarding Houses
Complying Development Audits
Dual Occupancies
Development Objection Letters
Development Applications
Development Feasibility Report
Pre Purchase Planning Reports
Rezoning Applications
Statement of Environmental Effects
Rural Dwelling Applications
Clause 4.6 Reports
Waste Management Plans
Safer By Design Assessments
Change of Use Applications
Sydney Areas
Town Planning – Campbelltown
Town Planning – Canada Bay
Town Planning – Georges River
Town Planning – Central Coast
Town Planning – Hornsby
Town Planning – Ku-ring-gai
Town Planning – Inner West
Town Planning – Northern Beaches
Town Planning – North Sydney
Town Planning – Blacktown
Town Planning – Parramatta
Town Planning – Hills Shire
Town Planning – Waverley
Town Planning – Sydney
Town Planning – Ryde
Town Planning – Wollongong
Town Planning – Woollahra
Town Planning – Mosman
Town Planning – Randwick
Town Planning – Cumberland
Newcastle – Hunter Valley
Town Planning – Newcastle
Town Planning – Maitland
Town Planning – Cessnock
Town Planning – Singleton
Town Planning – Dungog
Town Planning – Lake Macquarie
Town Planning – Port Stephens
Regional NSW
Town Planning –Mid North Coast
Town Planning – Ballina
Town Planning – Byron Bay
Town Planning – Wagga Wagga
Town Planning – Tweed
Town Planning – Dubbo
Town Planning – Parkes
Town Planning – Armidale
Town Planning – Tamworth
Town Planning – Coffs Harbour
Town Planning – Snowy Mountains
Town Planning – Yass Valley
Sydney Areas
Statement of Environmental Effects – Campbelltown
Statement of Environmental Effects – Eastern Suburbs
Statement of Environmental Effects – Central Coast
Statement of Environmental Effects – Hornsby
Statement of Environmental Effects – Ku-ring-gai
Statement of Environmental Effects – Inner West
Statement of Environmental Effects – Northern Beaches
Statement of Environmental Effects – North Shore
Statement of Environmental Effects – Northern Suburbs
Statement of Environmental Effects – Parramatta
Statement of Environmental Effects – Southern Suburbs
Statement of Environmental Effects – South West
Statement of Environmental Effects – Sydney
Statement of Environmental Effects – Western Suburbs
Statement of Environmental Effects – Wollongong
Newcastle – Hunter Valley
Statement of Environmental Effects – Newcastle
Statement of Environmental Effects – Maitland
Statement of Environmental Effects – Cessnock
Statement of Environmental Effects – Singleton
Statement of Environmental Effects – Dungog
Statement of Environmental Effects – Lake Macquarie
Statement of Environmental Effects – Port Stephens
Regional NSW
Statement of Environmental Effects –Mid North Coast
Statement of Environmental Effects – Ballina
Statement of Environmental Effects – Byron Bay
Statement of Environmental Effects – Wagga Wagga
Statement of Environmental Effects – Tweed
Statement of Environmental Effects – Dubbo
Statement of Environmental Effects – Parkes
Statement of Environmental Effects – Armidale
Statement of Environmental Effects – Tamworth
Statement of Environmental Effects – Coffs Harbour
Statement of Environmental Effects – Snowy Mountains
Statement of Environmental Effects – Yass Valley
Sydney Areas
DA Objection – Campbelltown
DA Objection – Eastern Suburbs
DA Objection – Central Coast
DA Objection – Hornsby
DA Objection – Ku-ring-gai
DA Objection – Inner West
DA Objection – Northern Beaches
DA Objection – North Shore
DA Objection – Northern Suburbs
DA Objection – Parramatta
DA Objection – Southern Suburbs
DA Objection – South West
DA Objection – Sydney
DA Objection – Western Suburbs
DA Objection – Wollongong
Newcastle – Hunter Valley
DA Objection – Newcastle
DA Objection – Maitland
DA Objection – Cessnock
DA Objection – Singleton
DA Objection – Dungog
DA Objection – Lake Macquarie
DA Objection – Port Stephens
Regional NSW
DA Objection –Mid North Coast
DA Objection – Ballina
DA Objection – Byron Bay
DA Objection – Wagga Wagga
DA Objection – Tweed
DA Objection – Dubbo
DA Objection – Parkes
DA Objection – Armidale
DA Objection – Tamworth
DA Objection – Coffs Harbour
DA Objection – Snowy Mountains
DA Objection – Yass
Copyright 2022 Town Planning Collective
