Does the increased tree canopy cover requirement apply to me?
According to Specification 19.3 of the Planning (Residential Zones) Technical Specifications 2026 (NI2026-303), the increased tree canopy cover requirement applies only to multi-unit housing developments. The requirement is for 20% canopy cover in RZ1 and RZ2 zones and 25% canopy cover in RZ3, RZ4 and RZ5 zones at maturity. All new and existing trees must contribute to the required canopy cover, and all new trees must be located within deep soil zones.
Reference: Planning (Residential Zones) Technical Specifications 2026 (NI2026-303)) – Assessment Outcome 19 – Planning (Residential Zones) Technical Specifications 2026
Short Answer
Only if you are proposing multi-unit housing. Specification 19.3 applies to multi-unit housing and requires 20% canopy cover in RZ1 and RZ2, up from 15% in the 2025 specifications, and 25% in RZ3, RZ4 and RZ5. For a single dwelling, the applicable requirement is tree planting under specification 19.2, not canopy cover.
Detailed Explanation
According to Specification 19.3 of the Planning (Residential Zones) Technical Specifications 2026 (NI2026-303), the increased tree canopy cover requirement applies to multi-unit housing developments. The requirement ensures that new developments provide sufficient tree canopy coverage to improve environmental performance, residential amenity, and urban tree canopy outcomes.
The minimum canopy cover requirements are:
RZ1 and RZ2 zones: A minimum of 20% canopy cover over the site at tree maturity.
RZ3, RZ4 and RZ5 zones: A minimum of 25% canopy cover over the site at tree maturity.
The assessment considers whether all new and existing trees provide the required minimum canopy cover at maturity. All new trees must be located within deep soil zones to support healthy growth and achieve the required canopy outcome.
No minimum block size does not remove the need for planning assessment.
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