Can a building have different setbacks along the same boundary?
Yes. The whole side of a building does not necessarily have to be the same distance from the boundary.
For example, one section of a house may be 1.5 m from the side boundary, while another section steps back to 3 m. This can occur because of the building design or because a different minimum setback applies to a higher part of the building.
The setback must therefore be checked at the relevant points along the building to make sure no part is closer to the boundary than permitted.
Reference: Planning (Residential Zones) Technical Specifications 2026 (NI2026-303) – Planning (Residential Zones) Technical Specifications 2026 | PDF
Short Answer
Yes. A building can have different setback distances along the same boundary. The required setback depends on the applicable setback provisions, including factors such as the building height, floor level and the particular part of the building.
The important requirement is that each part of the building satisfies the minimum setback applicable to that part.
Detailed Explanation
The Planning (Residential Zones) Technical Specifications 2026 (NI2026-303) does not require a building to maintain one uniform setback along the entire length of a boundary.
Under the setback provisions:
14.3 – Front setbacks requires the applicable minimum dimensions to be satisfied.
14.4 – Side and rear setbacks similarly applies the minimum dimensions specified in the relevant setback tables.
Those setback requirements vary according to the circumstances identified in the tables. As a result, different portions or levels of a building may have different applicable minimum setbacks, and the building itself may also step in and out provided each portion achieves its applicable minimum.
Example: A lower floor may be permitted closer to a side boundary while an upper floor requires a greater setback. The result is a building with two different setback distances from the same boundary, which is acceptable provided both portions meet their respective requirements.
No minimum block size does not remove the need for planning assessment.
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