Pattern Book Development Code 2025 – Commencement

The Pattern Book Development Code 2025 has commenced, amending the State Environmental Planning Policy (Exempt and Complying Development Codes) 2008 (inserting a new Part 3BA) and the Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2021 (inserting a new Section 131A).

This means that low-rise housing in the NSW Housing Pattern Book is eligible for a complying development pathway.  If the housing complies with the pattern-specific development standards and is located on a site that is appropriately zoned, planning and construction approval can be issued within 10 days.  The Pattern Book includes technical information and drawings, BASIX guidance, landscaping guides, and an editable design verification statement.

The Pattern Book can be used in NSW where low-and mid-rise housing is already permitted with consent, and this includes Transport Oriented Development (TOD) areas, Low- and Mid-Rise Housing Policy (LMR) areas and Non-LMR areas.  The one constant standard across all Pattern Book housing is the 9.5m height for LMR areas, otherwise the other standards vary.

Subdivision and Pattern Book housing complying development applications are now possible under one CDC.  Alternatively, a separate CDC for subdivision (either Torrens title or strata title subdivision) can be applied for after the Pattern Book CDC has been obtained.

Councils will need to ensure that they have adequate resources available so that when CDCs are received for Pattern Book housing, they can review for compliance.  It will be important to ensure that the Code is strictly complied with.