Hills Face Zone (SA Planning and Design Code)
The Hills Face Zone protects Adelaide's escarpment backdrop. Exempt and Accepted pathways mostly unavailable; most dwellings are Performance Assessed.
Ask Chalkline about this →The Hills Face Zone is a zone in the SA Planning and Design Code that protects the natural escarpment backdrop behind Adelaide from incompatible development. It covers the lower and upper slopes of the Mount Lofty Ranges visible from the metropolitan area. Verified per Planning and Design Code (SA) and plan.sa.gov.au (2026-06-11).
Why it matters for builders
The Hills Face Zone applies tighter controls than standard residential zones:
- Exempt development does not apply here. Sheds, pergolas, decks, and fences that are exempt in the suburbs all require a development application. (verified 2026-06-11, Planning and Design Code SA)
- Accepted development is also largely unavailable. A new dwelling that would be Accepted in a General Neighbourhood zone is typically Performance Assessed in the Hills Face Zone.
- Most dwellings are Performance Assessed. Neighbour notification applies, assessment is slower, and conditions addressing visual impact, vegetation, and earthworks are common.
- Some development is Restricted. Uses that threaten the escarpment’s visual character may fall into the Restricted category, where refusal is the default and no assessment right exists without a State Planning Commission declaration.
What the Code assesses
Performance outcomes focus on protecting the escarpment’s visual backdrop as seen from the Adelaide plains: building height and form, external materials and colours (earthy, non-reflective), vegetation removal, earthworks, and siting to reduce visibility from public viewpoints.
Practical read for builders
Check the property on the SA Planning and Design Code portal at code.plan.sa.gov.au before quoting. If the zone is Hills Face Zone, engage a planning consultant experienced in this zone, budget for a planning statement addressing visual impact, and allow time for neighbour notification. Check for Heritage Overlay or Bushfire Prone Area Overlay on top of the zone, as either adds specialist reports and referral agencies. See Getting development approval in SA for the full assessment framework.
Also known as: HFZ (SA); Hills Face Zone SA.
Category: Planning & Zoning.
Last updated: 2026-06-11. Verified: 2026-06-11. Quarterly review for currency.