South Australia · Planning guides
Planning rules in South Australia, explained from the source
What the Planning and Design Code actually say about the things people most often want to do with a block, quoted word for word, with what each council sets on top.
Granny flat rules
Can I build a granny flat in SA?
In South Australia a granny flat is called ancillary accommodation under the Planning and Design Code. The Code defines it as accommodation on the same site as an existing dwelling, ancillary to that dwelling, with no more than 2 bedrooms, and it can be self-contained. Ancillary accommodation is a listed land use in residential zones such as the General Neighbourhood Zone and has a deemed-to-satisfy pathway in Design in Urban Areas DTS/DPF 19.4, which includes a floor area not exceeding 70m2, shared utilities and shared open space. If every criterion is met the Planning, Development and Infrastructure Act 2016 requires planning consent to be granted without public notification. Which zone and overlays apply to your site is set spatially through the SA planning database.
Read the guideDual occupancy and duplex rules
Can I build two dwellings on my allotment in SA?
In South Australia two dwellings on one allotment are assessed under the Planning and Design Code as detached, semi-detached, row or group dwellings, and the answer turns on the zone's site dimensions criteria. In the General Neighbourhood Zone the deemed-to-satisfy criterion is either that the development does not result in more than 1 dwelling on an existing allotment, or that each dwelling site meets the zone's minimum site area and frontage, for example 300m2 and 9m for a detached dwelling. Other zones set their numbers through technical and numeric variations mapped to the site. If the criteria are met the Act requires planning consent to be granted, and if they are not the proposal is performance assessed on its merits.
Read the guideSubdivision and minimum lot size rules
Can I subdivide my land in SA?
In South Australia dividing an allotment is development under the Planning, Development and Infrastructure Act 2016 and needs approval before it can proceed. The Planning and Design Code sets the minimum allotment area and frontage zone by zone, either as figures written into the zone, as in the General Neighbourhood Zone, or as a Minimum Site Area technical and numeric variation mapped to the land, as in the Suburban Neighbourhood Zone. A land division that meets the zone's deemed-to-satisfy criteria, including the cap on the number of new allotments, the slope limit and the regulated tree test, must be granted planning consent. Section 102(1)(c) then adds a separate land division consent covering the Code's requirements, water and sewer and any land vesting in council.
Read the guideFast-track approvals
Is there a fast-track or exempt approval pathway for my project in SA?
Yes, in three layers. Some minor works, such as a small outbuilding or a fence within the limits in Schedule 4 of the Planning, Development and Infrastructure (General) Regulations 2017, are not development at all. Accepted development, listed in each zone's Table 1 of the Planning and Design Code, does not require planning consent under section 104 of the Act. Deemed-to-satisfy development, listed in each zone's Table 2, must be granted planning consent under section 106 without public notification if every criterion is met. Everything else that is code assessed is performance assessed on its merits under section 107. Which table row and criteria apply depends on the zone and overlays mapped to your site.
Read the guideHeight, setback and site coverage rules
What height and setback rules apply to my house in SA?
In South Australia height, site coverage and setbacks are set by the Planning and Design Code zone that applies to your site, as design standards written as performance outcomes with deemed-to-satisfy criteria. In the General Neighbourhood Zone the deemed-to-satisfy criteria are a maximum site coverage of 60%, a building height of no more than 2 building levels and 9m with a 7m wall, a primary street setback tied to the neighbours or 5m, a 900mm secondary street setback, side setbacks starting at 900mm and rear setbacks starting at 3m or 4m depending on site size. Other zones use different figures, some set through technical and numeric variations mapped to the land. Meeting the criteria gives a deemed-to-satisfy pathway, and missing them means a merit assessment against the performance outcome.
Read the guideDo I need a development application?
Do I need development approval for my project in SA?
In South Australia the question is not whether you need a DA but which pathway your project falls into. Section 101 of the Planning, Development and Infrastructure Act 2016 says no development may be undertaken unless it is approved, and development includes building work, a change of use and the division of an allotment. Some minor works are excluded from the definition by Schedule 4 of the General Regulations. Accepted development under the zone's Table 1 needs no planning consent. Everything else is code assessed, either deemed-to-satisfy, which must be approved, or performance assessed on merit. A development approval also needs building consent against the Building Rules. You lodge through the PlanSA portal, and the pathway is decided by the zone and overlays mapped to your site.
Read the guideWant the answer for one address?
A $150 preliminary planning report reads the zone, the mapped controls and the state instruments at your parcel and gives the pathway, in three business days.