Do garages, carports and covered outdoor areas count toward site coverage?
Yes, generally. Site coverage is based on the area of the site occupied by buildings and roofed structures. This means structures such as garages and carports generally contribute to site coverage.
A covered outdoor area may also contribute to site coverage where it forms part of the roofed/built development. By contrast, unroofed areas should not automatically be treated as site coverage merely because they are paved or used as outdoor space.
For a dual occupancy, all relevant roofed structures should therefore be considered when calculating the total site coverage against the applicable limit.
Reference: Residential Zones Technical Specifications 2026 (NI2026-303) – Site Coverage provisions – https://www.planning.act.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/3092411/ACT-Missing-Middle-Housing-Design-Guide.pdf
Short Answer
Generally, yes. Garages, carports and other roofed areas can count toward site coverage. Unroofed outdoor or paved areas are treated differently and should not automatically be included.
Detailed Explanation
Yes, where the structure forms part of the development included in the site coverage calculation. Under the applicable site coverage provisions, the calculation is not limited to the floor area of the dwellings themselves. Garages, carports and other applicable roofed structures must also be taken into account when determining compliance with the prescribed site coverage.
Accordingly, a roofed outdoor area may contribute to site coverage depending on its form and whether it falls within the applicable definition/calculation under the Technical Specifications.
No minimum block size does not remove the need for planning assessment.
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