Low-rise housing and targeted assessment

Overview

What’s this about?

The NSW Government has released a discussion paper proposing significant changes to the assessment of low-rise housing in NSW. 

Low rise housing (1 or 2 storeys such as dwelling houses, dual occupancies and multi-dwelling housing) is typically low impact, low risk, and accounts for 50% of all development applications. However, it is often assessed through disproportionately complex and inconsistent planning pathways. 

This discussion paper proposes the use of a targeted assessment pathway for low-rise housing. Targeted assessment is a flexible, streamlined pathway for development that is low-impact, low-risk or has undergone detailed assessment at a strategic level. Residual assessment matters can be captured in the detailed controls and specific merit considerations that apply to the development.

The low-rise housing and targeted assessment discussion paper explores how a statewide low-rise housing code could be developed to simplify and align assessment pathways, including:

• a targeted assessment pathway designed to bridge the gap between complying development and a full development application
• alignment and consolidation of complying development (CDC) standards and variations so that all approval pathways can be found in the one place
• clearly defined standards that apply to both the CDC and targeted assessment pathway to create greater consistency
• clearly defined objectives so that variations to CDC and targeted assessment standards can be assessed transparently and consistently
• alignment of definitions and permissibility to make the planning system easier to navigate.

Have your say

Have your say by 5pm on Wednesday 24 June 2026. 

The discussion paper and frequently asked questions are now available for you to read and provide feedback on. You can provide your feedback by making a formal submission.

Please note: This discussion paper is not an Explanation of Intended Effect (EIE). Before any type of development can be eligible for targeted assessment development, an EIE must be exhibited. Feedback on this discussion paper will inform any future EIE that is publicly exhibited.