Do upper-floor windows need privacy screens?
Not necessarily. Upper-floor windows do not automatically need privacy screens. The design must appropriately address privacy and overlooking under the applicable ACT planning provisions and design guidance.
The Missing Middle Housing Design Guide recommends designing private spaces and openings to minimise overlooking and identifies measures such as building and window positioning, landscaping, louvres, screens, battens and other architectural treatments where additional privacy is needed.
A privacy screen is therefore one possible design solution, rather than an automatic requirement for every upper-floor window.
Reference: Planning (Residential Zones) Technical Specifications 2026 (NI2026-303), Assessment Outcome 16 – https://www.legislation.act.gov.au/View/ni/2026-303/current/PDF/2026-303.PDF & Missing Middle Housing Design Guide 2026,5.2C Privacy and Outlook – https://www.planning.act.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/3092411/ACT-Missing-Middle-Housing-Design-Guide.pdf
Short Answer
Not necessarily. Upper-floor windows do not automatically require privacy screens. Screening or other design measures may be used where needed to address privacy and overlooking.
Detailed Explanation
No blanket requirement applies requiring every upper-floor window to have a privacy screen. Privacy must be addressed having regard to the applicable ACT planning provisions and design guidance.
The Missing Middle Housing Design Guide provides design responses for reducing overlooking, including the appropriate positioning of private spaces and the use of landscaping and architectural screening where required. ACT Planning requires applicants to demonstrate how the relevant design guide has been considered as part of the development assessment process.
No minimum block size does not remove the need for planning assessment.
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