The draft changes to Western Australia's Residential Design Codes (R-Codes) are now out for public comment. Planning and Lands Minister John Carey released them on 24 October 2026, filling in the detail behind the reforms first announced in July.
We reported in October that no draft had been published yet. The draft is now available, with a closing date.
What the draft proposes
The headline subdivision change is the removal of average lot sizes for land coded R10 to R25 in Perth and Peel. The Government says more than 70,000 existing residential properties would become eligible to subdivide as a result. That is the Government's estimate, and whether a particular block qualifies will still depend on its coding, size, shape and other constraints.
For granny flats, the Government proposes:
- lifting the maximum floor area from 70 to 90 square metres
- abolishing minimum car parking requirements
- reducing the rear boundary setback in lower density areas
What is proposed for granny flats? The Government proposes lifting the maximum floor area from 70 to 90 square metres, removing minimum car parking requirements and reducing the rear setback in lower density areas, so that more granny flats would be exempt from council planning approval.
The Government says exempt projects would skip a planning approval process that can take two or three months, needing only a building permit.
The Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage also proposes repealing Operational Policy 2.2 (Residential Subdivision) and moving its remaining provisions into a new draft operational policy on subdivision of land and the R-Codes.
Where it is up to
When does consultation on the WA draft R-Codes close? Submissions close at 5.00pm (AWST) on Friday 26 February 2027. The draft chapters and information sheets are on the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage's Have Your Say website.
Feedback will inform a final version for the Western Australian Planning Commission to decide on.
Can I subdivide under the new WA rules now? No. The changes are a draft. The department says applications continue to be assessed under the current framework during the review, and implementation is expected later in 2027, subject to a decision by the Western Australian Planning Commission.
What it could mean for owners
For an owner with a suburban block just short of today's minimum, the lot size change is the one to follow. For others, the granny flat changes may matter more, because a larger second home with no parking minimum and possibly no planning approval could be an alternative to splitting the title. Our guide to granny flats versus subdivision explains how the two compare.
- Read our earlier article on the proposed average lot size change.
- Read our WA subdivision guide for how the process works today.
- You can check your own block with Subdivision Checker.
- A licensed surveyor or town planner can confirm what applies to your land.
Frequently asked questions
When does consultation on the WA draft R-Codes close?
Submissions close at 5.00pm (AWST) on Friday 26 February 2027. The draft chapters and information sheets are on the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage's Have Your Say website.
Can I subdivide under the new WA rules now?
No. The changes are a draft. The department says applications continue to be assessed under the current framework during the review, and implementation is expected later in 2027, subject to a decision by the Western Australian Planning Commission.
What is proposed for granny flats?
The Government proposes lifting the maximum floor area from 70 to 90 square metres, removing minimum car parking requirements and reducing the rear setback in lower density areas, so that more granny flats would be exempt from council planning approval.
Sources
- Changes to cut red tape for new granny flat developments (WA Government, 24 October 2026)
- Residential Design Codes Review (Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage)
- Residential Design Codes Review (Have Your Say WA)
This article is general information only, current at 2 November 2026. The R-Codes changes are a draft and may change. Speak to a licensed surveyor or town planner about your property.