Are there requirements for the orientation of each dwelling?
There is no specific rule requiring each dwelling in a dual occupancy to face a particular direction. However, dwelling orientation is an important design consideration.
The Missing Middle Housing Design Guide encourages dwellings to be positioned and oriented to make good use of sunlight, outlook, street frontage and adjoining public spaces, while maintaining appropriate privacy and amenity.
Reference: ACT Missing Middle Housing Design Guide – Orientation and Outlook – https://www.planning.act.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/3092411/ACT-Missing-Middle-Housing-Design-Guide.pdf
Short Answer
No specific orientation is prescribed. The Design Guide encourages dwellings to be oriented to achieve good solar access, outlook, privacy and connection to streets or public spaces.
Detailed Explanation
There is no universal requirement prescribing a particular orientation or compass direction for each dwelling in a dual occupancy.
Rather, orientation forms part of the overall design response. The Missing Middle Housing Design Guide provides guidance on considering matters such as solar access, outlook, privacy and the relationship of dwellings to streets and public spaces. These provisions should be treated as design guidance rather than a rule requiring dwellings to face a specified direction.
No minimum block size does not remove the need for planning assessment.
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