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Grouped dwelling (WA R-Codes)

A grouped dwelling is two or more dwellings on one WA lot, none above another. Assessed under R-Codes Volume 1, not Volume 2 apartments.

By Dan Waring. Last updated 11 June 2026. Verified 11 June 2026.

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A grouped dwelling is two or more dwellings on a single lot where no dwelling is located above any part of another (verified 2026-06-11 per SPP 7.3 R-Codes Volume 1, DPLH). The category covers what builders commonly call villas, townhouses, and side-by-side units. It is a WA planning term under the R-Codes, not a National Construction Code classification.

Volume 1 vs Volume 2

SPP 7.3 R-Codes split assessment by dwelling type:

  • Volume 1 covers grouped dwellings from R20 up to R60. Design controls include setbacks, site coverage, plot ratio (at R30 and above), outdoor living area, parking, and open space.
  • Volume 2 covers multiple dwellings at R80 and above, where one dwelling can sit above another (apartments). Adds apartment-specific controls: internal dimensions, communal open space, acoustic provisions.

A grouped dwelling that stacks any part of one unit above another shifts classification to multiple dwelling and is assessed under Volume 2. The stacking distinction is the key dividing line in the R-Codes.

Assessment pathway

A grouped dwelling that meets all R-Codes Volume 1 deemed-to-comply (DTC) criteria does not need a development application. It proceeds directly to a building permit under the Building Act 2011 (WA). This is WA’s functional equivalent of NSW complying development: no DA, no council discretion, straight to building permit. Volume 1 Part C medium-density provisions became fully mandatory 10 April 2026 (verified 2026-06-11 per WA planning scheme structure).

Survey strata and common property

Grouped dwellings are often developed under a survey-strata plan. Each dwelling sits on its own strata lot; common areas (driveways, paths) form common property. Strata titles are issued per lot. This is separate from the planning classification: the R-Codes assess the proposal as a grouped dwelling regardless of whether the tenure is strata or green title.

The R-code set in the council’s Local Planning Scheme determines the minimum lot size per dwelling, plot ratio, and setbacks. At R40 a grouped dwelling lot is typically 220 to 280 m² per dwelling; plot ratio is approximately 0.6 (verified 2026-06-11 via live corpus, cross-referenced spp-7-3-r-codes + plot-ratio-wa).

Also known as: villa, townhouse (WA planning context), side-by-side dwelling.

Category: Planning / WA R-Codes.

See also

References

Last updated: 2026-06-11. Verified: 2026-06-11. Quarterly review for currency.

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