What is the difference between dual occupancy housing, a secondary residence and townhouses?
The difference between these residential development types is that a secondary residence is a second dwelling on a block that remains subordinate to the principal dwelling on that block, whereas dual occupancy housing is the use of land that was originally used or leased for single dwelling housing for two dwellings. In contrast, a townhouse development generally consists of multiple dwellings arranged as individual homes within one development site, usually involving a higher density of residential development than a dual occupancy.
Reference: Territory Plan 2023, Part G – Dictionary – Territory Plan 2023 | Notifiable instruments
Short Answer
A secondary residence is a second dwelling on a block that is subordinate to the principal dwelling. Dual occupancy housing is land used for two dwellings where the land was originally used or leased for single dwelling housing. A townhouse development generally consists of multiple individual dwellings within one development site.
Detailed Explanation
Secondary residence: A second, self-contained dwelling on the same block as a principal dwelling. It must remain subordinate to the main residence and does not usually create a separate block.
Dual occupancy housing: Two dwellings on land originally used or leased for single dwelling housing. The dwellings may be attached or detached but are generally considered two separate homes on the same block.
Townhouse development: Multiple dwellings within one development site, typically designed as individual homes. Townhouses usually involve higher-density residential development and may be separately owned through approved subdivision or unit titling arrangements.
No minimum block size does not remove the need for planning assessment.
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