Residential Design Codes of Western Australia (R-Codes)
The Residential Design Codes are commonly called the (R-Codes) and provide a comprehensive basis for local governments to control residential development. The R-Codes are available for viewing and download from the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage website.
They generally apply to residential development throughout Western Australia, except as otherwise prescribed by the provisions of the Town Planning Scheme No. 1 or as varied by the Council’s local planning policies.
In the Town of Victoria Park, the streetscape elements of the R-Codes Volume 1, Part 5 are varied by Council's Local Planning Policy 25 - Streetscape. For further information, please contact the Duty Planner during business hours on (08) 9311 8111.
Please note: The amended revision of Residential Design Codes Volume 1 and consequential amendments to Residential Design Codes Volume 2 were released by the Minister on 8 March 2024 with the new policy provisions now in effect as of 10 April 2024.Please refer to Amendments to Residential Design Codes (Medium Density Codes) (www.wa.gov.au) and the below for further information.
Residential Design Codes of Western Australia (R-Codes)
The current 2021 Residential Design Codes (the R-Codes) provide a comprehensive basis for local governments to control residential development. The R-Codes are available for viewing and download from the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage website.
The R-Codes 2021 comprise two volumes :
- Volume 1 – Applies to single houses; and grouped dwellings; and apartments in areas coded less than R40.
- Volume 2 – Applies to apartments in areas coded R40 and above.
There are aspects of the R-Codes which are varied by the Town’s Town Planning Scheme No. 1 or Local Planning Policies.
Which R-Codes should I be using?
The R-Codes apply as follows:
| Residential Design Codes |
Single Houses |
Grouped Dwellings |
Multiple Dwellings
(includes dwelling components of mixed-use developments) |
| Volume 1 |
Part B |
R40 and below |
R25 and below |
R10 to R25 |
| Part C |
R50 and above
R100-SL; R-AC |
R30 and above
R100-SL; R-AC |
R30 to R60 |
| Volume 2 |
NA |
NA |
R80 and above
R-AC
|
What does this mean for current residential applications / proposals?
Applications continue to require assessment in accordance with the planning frameworks which apply on the date they are determined. This means that the current (2021) version of Volume 1 of the R-Codes applies unless until the amended (2024) version of Volume 1 of the R-Codes is gazetted.
What does this mean for new residential applications / proposals?
The State Government released the amended R-Codes (2024) on 8 March 2024 and is operational as of April 10 2024. This means any new applications lodged will need to be assessed under the amended framework.
Planning Bulletin 114/2024 provides clear guidance on what applies when during the 1 month deferred gazettal and the 24 month special transition period.