Housing Alterations Code
The Housing Alterations Code enables the following development to be carried out as Complying Development:
- internal alterations to existing dwelling houses; and/or
- Internal alterations to existing ancillary development associated with a dwelling house, or
- External changes to an external wall (e.g. window and door changes) as long as there is no increase to building footprint, or
- Attic conversions which are fully contained within the roof space
Examples of alterations that would be permitted under the Codes SEPP include:
- Enlarging a lounge room by converting a bedroom;
- Removing a wall between a kitchen and a lounge room to make an open plan kitchen; or
- Dividing a portion of a room to make a new bedroom.
It should be noted that the construction or conversion of any part of a residential dwelling into a basement is not Complying Development.
Land based exemptions
Localities where complying development may not be carried out under the Housing -Internal Alterations Code include land that is:
- within environmentally sensitive area, or
- critical habitat, or
- comprises, or on which there is, an item of environmental heritage that is subject to an interim heritage order under the Heritage Act 1977, or that is listed on the State Heritage Register under the Heritage Act 1977, or is identified as a such an item on an environmental planning instrument, or
- land within a wilderness area (identified under the Wilderness Act 1987).
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