Questions & Answers

Do the specifications set our site coverage or plot ratio?

According to the Territory Plan, E1 Residential Zones Policy, the specifications set site coverage requirements. Site coverage controls the maximum area of a block that can be occupied by buildings.

For single dwellings, the maximum site coverage is:

  • Large blocks: 40% of the block area.
  • Mid-sized blocks: 60% of the block area.
  • Compact blocks: 70% of the block area.

For single dwellings on blocks created through subdivision:

  • RZ1 and RZ2: Maximum 45% of the block area.
  • RZ3, RZ4 and RZ5: Maximum 50% of the block area.

For multi-unit housing:

  • RZ1 and RZ2: Maximum 45% of the original block area.
  • RZ3, RZ4 and RZ5: Maximum 50% of the original block area.

Reference: Territory Plan 2023 – Part E, E1 Residential Zones Policy (Site Coverage)  – https://www.legislation.act.gov.au/ni/2023-540/Current

Last reviewed: 3 August 2026 Information current as at: 1 September 2026

Short Answer

According to the Territory Plan, E1 Residential Zones Policy?, the specifications set site coverage requirements (not plot ratio). Site coverage limits the maximum area of a block that buildings can occupy. The limits vary depending on the block size, zone, and development type. Single dwellings: 40% for large blocks, 60% for mid-sized blocks, and 70% for compact blocks. Subdivision-created blocks: 45% in RZ1/RZ2 and 50% in RZ3/RZ4/RZ5. Multi-unit housing: 45% in RZ1/RZ2 and 50% in RZ3/RZ4/RZ5.

Detailed Explanation

According to the Territory Plan, E1 Residential Zones Policy?, the specifications set site coverage requirements but do not set a plot ratio. Site coverage controls the maximum proportion of a block that can be occupied by buildings, helping manage building scale, open space, and residential amenity.

For single dwellings, the maximum site coverage is:

  • Large blocks: 40% of the block area.
  • Mid-sized blocks: 60% of the block area.
  • Compact blocks: 70% of the block area.

For single dwellings on blocks created through the subdivision of an original residential block, the maximum site coverage is:

  • RZ1 and RZ2: 45% of the block area.
  • RZ3, RZ4 and RZ5: 50% of the block area.

For multi-unit housing, the maximum site coverage is:

  • RZ1 and RZ2: 45% of the original block area.
  • RZ3, RZ4 and RZ5: 50% of the original block area.
Key Point

No minimum block size does not remove the need for planning assessment.

Would you like to know what these rules mean for your property?

Get a Planning Assessment prepared by our experienced planning team.

Back to All Questions