An attached dwelling is one dwelling in a row of two or more, each sitting on its own separate lot, sharing one or more walls with the dwelling next door - the Torrens-title terrace or townhouse model. It is a different land use from multi dwelling housing, where several dwellings sit together on a single lot. Attached dwellings are usually assessed by development application, addressing boundary setbacks, acoustic separation between the shared dwellings, and streetscape requirements, though some low-rise housing diversity forms can qualify for the fast complying development pathway where every design criterion is met.
An attached dwelling is one home in a row of two or more, each on its own lot and title, sharing at least one wall with its neighbour. It is the terrace or townhouse model. If the dwellings share one lot instead, it is multi dwelling housing, and different controls apply.
An attached dwelling looks, from the street, much like a townhouse row. What actually defines it is that each dwelling sits on its own separate lot and title, sharing one or more walls with its neighbour - distinct from multi dwelling housing, where several dwellings occupy a single lot under one title until subdivided. Getting this classification right at the outset matters, because it determines which controls and which approval pathway apply.
Boundary setbacks for the shared wall, acoustic separation standards between the attached dwellings, and streetscape or frontage requirements addressing how a row of dwellings presents to the street are the recurring assessment issues for this housing type.
If your site is better suited to a different housing type, compare dual occupancy, manor house and multi dwelling housing. Separate titles are delivered through Torrens and strata subdivision.
Most attached dwelling proposals go through a development application, assessed on merit against the LEP and DCP. Some low-rise housing diversity forms can qualify for complying development where every design criterion is satisfied in full - we check this early, since it changes both timeframe and documentation requirements substantially.
2-4 business days
Confirming attached dwelling versus multi dwelling housing, and zone permissibility under the LEP.
3-5 business days
Whether any part of the design can use a low-rise housing diversity CDC pathway, or whether a DA applies to the whole scheme.
3-6 weeks
Setback, acoustic and streetscape-compliant plans plus any supporting reports.
6-14 weeks
Managing council through to determination, including any design amendments requested.
Council requires a minimum of 700m² of land for a Torrens title subdivision of a dual occupancy in an R2 zone under Campbelltown City Council. The subject property comprises 655m², a shortfall of 45m². EHUP secured development approval despite this shortfall in land size.
Our fees start from $3,200 + GST depending on scale and the number of dwellings, with council fees separate. A pathway check takes one to two weeks, and a development application typically takes six to fourteen weeks to determination.
Because each attached dwelling sits on its own lot and title, those lots have to exist, which usually means a subdivision approval sought with or after the development consent. We check lot size, access and servicing early so the subdivision does not become the problem later.
Title. An attached dwelling is one home on its own separate lot, sharing a wall with the dwelling next door - each owner holds an individual title. Multi dwelling housing is several dwellings grouped on a single lot, typically around shared driveways or common property, with one underlying title until it is subdivided. The built form can look similar from the street; the legal structure is different, and it changes which controls and which approval pathway apply.
Shared walls between attached dwellings need to meet acoustic separation standards set by the Building Code of Australia and, in some cases, additional council DCP requirements. This affects wall construction type and is worth confirming at design stage rather than at construction certificate stage.
In some cases, yes - certain low-rise housing diversity forms are eligible for complying development where every applicable design criterion, including setbacks, building separation and streetscape controls, is satisfied in full. Where any criterion is not met, the pathway reverts to a development application.
Controls addressing building frontage width, garage and driveway location, front setback consistency with neighbouring properties, and articulation of the street-facing facade are common in DCPs for this housing type, since a row of attached dwellings has a visible cumulative effect on the street.
A dual occupancy is two dwellings, attached or detached, on a single lot.
Subdividing land into separate Torrens titles, or subdividing a building into separately owned strata lots - for example splitting an approved dual occupancy or multi dwelling development into individually owned lots - is a distinct approval from the development consent for the dwellings themselves.
Multi dwelling housing is three or more dwellings on a single lot, commonly villas or townhouses grouped around a shared driveway or common property, held under one title until it is subdivided.
Most residential developments do not need a full Development Application.
A secondary dwelling, commonly called a granny flat, is a self-contained dwelling on the same lot as an existing house, supported under the Housing SEPP and often eligible for the fast complying development pathway.
Tell us the address and what you want to do. We'll help identify the appropriate planning pathway, whether it is exempt development, complying development or a full DA. Your first conversation is free.