How much private open space do I need now?
For a single dwelling on a large block, at least 60% of the block must be kept as private open space. Under the 2025 rules, this was 60% of the block minus 50 m², and part of the open space had to be at least 6 metres wide. The 2026 rules remove these extra conditions, making the requirement simpler. The required private open space can also include features such as pergolas, retaining walls, planter beds, rainwater tanks, clotheslines, and heating or cooling equipment.
Reference: Planning (Residential Zones) Technical Specifications 2026 (NI2026-303), Assessment Outcome 11.1 – Planning (Residential Zones) Technical Specifications 2026 | PDF
Short Answer
For a single dwelling on a large block, 60% of the block area. Under the 2025 specifications, the figure was 60% of the block area less 50 square metres, and at least 10% of the block area had to be within an area having a minimum dimension of 6 m. Those qualifiers are gone: the headline percentage is higher, but the minimum-dimension test no longer applies to general private open space.
Detailed Explanation
For a single dwelling on a large block, the minimum private open space is 60% of the block area.
This is an increase from the 2025 requirement, which was 60% of the block area less 50 m² and required at least 10% of the block area to have a minimum dimension of 6 m.
The 2026 specification removes these additional requirements, meaning the full 60% of the block area must be provided as private open space, but there is no longer a minimum-dimension requirement for general private open space.
The specification also clarifies that principal private open space may be contained within the required private open space, and that the area may include features such as pergola posts, retaining walls, planter beds, rainwater tanks, clotheslines, heating and cooling equipment, solar inverters, and similar structures.
No minimum block size does not remove the need for planning assessment.
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