Are there minimum landscaping or planting requirements?
Yes. Dual occupancy developments must provide a minimum amount of planting area.
For multi-unit housing, including dual occupancy, the minimum planting area is:
- RZ1 and RZ2: at least 30% of the block area
- RZ3, RZ4 and RZ5: at least 25% of the block area
The planting area must also meet the applicable technical requirements for its dimensions and layout, and separate tree-canopy and planting requirements may also apply.
Reference: Planning (Residential Zones) Technical Specifications 2026 (NI2026-303) – Specification 19.1, Planting Area – Multi-unit Housing – Planning (Residential Zones) Technical Specifications 2026
Short Answer
Yes. A dual occupancy requires at least 30% planting area in RZ1/RZ2 and 25% in RZ3/RZ4/RZ5.
Detailed Explanation
Yes. Under the Planning (Residential Zones) Technical Specifications 2026, multi-unit housing, including dual occupancy, is subject to minimum planting-area requirements. The minimum planting area is 30% of the block area for RZ1 and RZ2 and 25% of the block area for RZ3, RZ4 and RZ5. These minimum percentages operate together with the other applicable planting and tree-canopy specifications.No minimum block size does not remove the need for planning assessment.
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