Tasmania · Planning guides
Planning rules in Tasmania, explained from the source
What the Tasmanian Planning Scheme 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 Tasmania?
Under the Tasmanian Planning Scheme a granny flat is a secondary residence, a self-contained additional residence of no more than 60 square metres that shares access, parking and services with the main house. Because the definition of single dwelling ignores a secondary residence, the use stays No Permit Required in the General Residential and Inner Residential zones, and no planning permit is needed if the building meets every Acceptable Solution in the zone and no code requires one. Larger or separately serviced flats are multiple dwellings and need a permit.
Read the guideDual occupancy and duplex rules
Can I build a dual occupancy in Tasmania?
In the Tasmanian Planning Scheme two houses on one lot are multiple dwellings, a Permitted use in the General Residential and Inner Residential zones. A planning permit is always needed, but if the design meets every Acceptable Solution the council must grant it within the statutory period and without public notice. The standards that decide most projects are site area per dwelling, site coverage, private open space and sunlight to that open space.
Read the guideSubdivision and minimum lot size rules
Can I subdivide my block in Tasmania?
Subdivision in Tasmania is assessed against the lot design standards of the zone in the State Planning Provisions. Each new lot in the General Residential Zone must be at least 450 square metres, hold a clear building area of 10 by 15 metres and have a 12 metre frontage, with the Inner Residential Zone at 200 square metres and the Low Density Residential Zone at 1,500 square metres. Smaller lots can be argued under the Performance Criteria, which makes the application Discretionary. The council's Local Provisions Schedule can change these figures for particular land.
Read the guideFast-track approvals
What are the fast track approval options in Tasmania?
Tasmania has three quick lanes and one slow one. Work listed in the exemption tables of clause 4.0 needs no permit at all. A use that is No Permit Required in the zone, built to every Acceptable Solution, also needs no permit. A Permitted use or development that meets every Acceptable Solution needs a permit but the council must grant it within 28 days without public notice. Anything that relies on a Performance Criterion is Discretionary and goes through notice and a longer decision period.
Read the guideHeight, setback and site coverage rules
What are the height and setback rules in Tasmania?
Tasmania controls height and setbacks through the residential zone standards in the State Planning Provisions. In the General Residential Zone a dwelling sits at least 4.5 metres from its primary frontage and inside a building envelope rising at 45 degrees from 3 metres above ground at the side and rear boundaries to a height of 8.5 metres, with site coverage capped at 50 per cent. The Inner Residential Zone uses 3 metres, 9.5 metres and 65 per cent. Meeting these Acceptable Solutions keeps a house permit free, and departing from them puts it into a Discretionary permit.
Read the guideDo I need a development application?
Do I need a planning permit in Tasmania?
Tasmania does not use the term development application. You need a planning permit for any use or development unless the scheme exempts it or lists it as No Permit Required and your design meets every standard. The permit itself comes in two levels, Permitted and Discretionary, and which one applies is decided by the zone use table, the Acceptable Solutions and the code overlays at your parcel. A building permit under the Building Act is a separate process.
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.