Building or renovating a home should become simpler in NSW after the state government overhauled planned codes applying to stand-alone houses in the state.
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The Planning Minister, Anthony Roberts, has described the changes as "pretty historic", in providing for the first time diagrams to indicate types of development subject to a streamlined planning code.
"For me it's setting a benchmark for what planning legislation will look like in the future," said Mr Roberts.
The new code is not intended to alter the type of housing that can be built or altered using so-called complying development, a process that ensures a faster route through the planning system.
It is instead intended to simplify existing rules and standards.
Mr Roberts said the new system would also be easier to understand for people who live near potential developments.
"It puts everyone on a level playing field," Mr Roberts said of the changes, which were gazetted last week.
"If your neighbours are putting on a garage and you are not sure whether it is compliant or not, it is pretty easy to have a look at whether it does or does not comply."
The altered complying development code applies to single or two-storey houses or renovations within certain sizes and levels of complexity. Building a garage or carport or a swimming pool are types of development potentially subject to the code.
If a building or renovation is subject to complying development, an approval can be issued within 20 days, as opposed to the average 71 days required for approval of a standard development application.
According to the government, the complying development process can save up to $15,000 in building a new home.
"This is about ensuring the planning system is simpler, faster and more efficient," said Mr Roberts.
"Instead of having to go to a lawyer, you can get a pretty good idea of what you're able to do."
Although the new code is not intended to alter the types of buildings subject to complying development, the state government is separately proposing multiple new categories of complying development.
For instance, a new complying development code for medium-density housing - including terraces and small apartment or "manor housing" - is currently under consideration.
Sydney's councils have provided a mixed response to this proposal, variously pleased that more diverse housing types will be simpler to build, and concerned that the code could enable inappropriate forms of housing in some areas.
Similar complaints have been levelled at the government's proposed expansion of complying development categories to more types of school and day-care centre buildings.
