Yes, potentially. An existing driveway can be retained as part of a dual-occupancy development where it is suitable for the proposed development and meets the applicable access requirements.

ACT Planning specifically confirms that, for an RZ1 dual occupancy, an existing driveway may be retained as common property for use by both dwellings where the development is unit titled.

If the existing driveway needs to be modified or upgraded, additional driveway approval requirements may apply. ACT Planning distinguishes between constructing a new driveway, adding a second driveway and modifying an existing driveway.

Yes, potentially. An existing garage, shed or other Class 10 structure does not automatically have to be demolished simply because a dual occupancy is proposed.

It may remain where it can be incorporated into the proposed development and the overall dual occupancy complies with the applicable ACT planning requirements. Existing Class 10 structures should therefore be shown on the development plans and considered as part of the overall site design, including their relationship to the new dwellings, parking, setbacks and other applicable requirements.

The existing structure should also have the necessary approval or lawful status. ACT Planning separately recognises garages and sheds as Class 10a buildings and provides specific DA and BA exemption criteria for these structures.

Reference:

Not necessarily. A dual occupancy must demonstrate compliance with the ACT’s applicable water-efficiency requirements, including a target of 40% reduction in mains water use compared with an equivalent development constructed in 2003.

ACT Planning treats dual occupancy as multi-unit residential development for this assessment—the Multi-unit Waterways Calculator specifically covers developments from dual occupancy through to multi-storey apartments. The calculator considers rainwater tanks alongside other water-saving measures, including water-efficient fixtures and greywater systems.

Therefore, a rainwater tank is not automatically required simply because the development is a dual occupancy. A tank may form part of the design used to demonstrate compliance with the required water-efficiency target.

Reference: ACT Planning, Water Efficiency – https://www.planning.act.gov.au/professionals/regulation-and-responsibilities/responsibilities/water-efficiency

Not necessarily a requirement for a physical fence between the two dwellings. For a dual occupancy, the ACT planning framework focuses on providing appropriate privacy, private open space, landscaping and separation rather than imposing a blanket rule that the dwellings must be divided by a boundary fence.

The Missing Middle Housing Design Guide recognises dual occupancies with private yards as well as shared/common areas, such as landscaping associated with a shared driveway. This means the appropriate treatment between the dwellings will depend on the proposed layout and how private and shared spaces are designed.

Where a fence is proposed, separate planning requirements may apply to the location and height of the fence, particularly where it is near the street/front boundary. ACT Planning notes that fences within the area between the front boundary and building line are generally not DA-exempt under the standard fencing exemption.

Reference: Planning (Residential Zones) Technical Specifications 2026 (NI2026-303) – Planning (Residential Zones) Technical Specifications 2026

Yes. For a driveway serving a dual occupancy, the driveway width is determined by the designer based on the development, but it must not exceed 5.5 m at the property boundary or kerb.

Unlike driveways serving a single dwelling, the standard does not specify a fixed minimum driveway width for two or three dwellings. The appropriate width is instead assessed by the designer. Where additional width is needed—for example, to allow two vehicles to safely pass in opposite directions—the driveway may be designed wider, but cannot exceed the 5.5 m maximum. The width at the property boundary also cannot be greater than the width at the kerb.

Reference: Applicable ACT driveway requirements – Municipal Infrastructure Standard 07 (MIS 07) Driveways, Edition 1 Revision 2 – Section 2.3.2 – Municipal Infrastructure Standard 07 Driveways (Edition 1 Revision 2)

Not always. For a dual-occupancy DA, shadow diagrams are required if relevant or requested by ACT Planning, including where requested at a pre-application meeting.

Whether they are needed will therefore depend on the particular proposal and its potential overshadowing impacts.

Reference: ACT Planning (Minimum Development Application Documentation) Guideline 2026 (No 1) (NI2026-13)