ACT Territory Plan Update • Effective 1 July 2026

RZ2 Multi-Unit & Dual Occupancy Specialists | Canberra

Understand what may be possible on your RZ2 block. Plot ratio, site coverage, setbacks, access, block dimensions and other planning controls can all affect your development potential.

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RZ2 planning controls

RZ2 Core Suburban Planning Rules

RZ2 allows a broader range of residential development than lower-density zones, but every proposal still needs to respond to the block, site controls and applicable planning requirements.

1

What needs to be checked on an RZ2 block?

The development opportunity is determined by several planning controls working together — not by zoning alone.

Architectural site plan illustrating key RZ2 planning controls
01

Zone & permitted development

Confirm the RZ2 zoning and which residential development pathways may apply.

02

Plot ratio & site coverage

Check how much development may be accommodated on the block.

03

Setbacks & building placement

Front, rear and side controls affect the usable development area.

04

Access & site constraints

Driveways, services, trees, easements and other constraints may affect the final outcome.

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Key takeaway RZ2 zoning creates opportunity, but it does not guarantee a particular development outcome.

The block still needs to satisfy the relevant planning, access and site-specific requirements.

What may be possible on your RZ2 block?

Start with your property and review the key planning controls that may apply.

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Development controls

Plot Ratio & Site Coverage Limits

Plot ratio and site coverage control different parts of an RZ2 development. The illustrations below show the difference between overall development intensity and the amount of the site occupied by buildings.

2

Plot ratio vs site coverage

These controls work together, but they measure different parts of the development.

Development intensity

Plot ratio

Architectural illustration explaining plot ratio on an RZ2 property
  • Total floor area

    Measures the applicable floor area of the proposed development.

  • Development scale

    Helps control the overall amount of built floor space accommodated on the block.

  • Multiple levels may count

    Applicable upper-floor areas may also contribute to the floor-area calculation.

Building footprint

Site coverage

Architectural illustration explaining site coverage on an RZ2 property
  • Building footprint

    Shows how much of the site is occupied by the relevant building footprint.

  • Open space remains

    The remainder of the block stays outside the building footprint.

  • Other controls still apply

    Setbacks, landscaping, access and other planning requirements must also be considered.

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Key takeaway Plot ratio controls development intensity. Site coverage controls how much of the block is occupied by buildings.

Both controls need to be considered together when assessing the development potential of an RZ2 property.

How do these controls affect your property?

The actual development potential depends on your block, proposal and applicable RZ2 planning requirements.

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Development pathways

RZ2 Development Opportunities

RZ2 properties may support different residential development pathways depending on the block, proposal and applicable planning controls.

3

What development pathways may be considered?

The appropriate pathway depends on the property, development type and site-specific planning requirements.

01
Architectural illustration of a dual occupancy development on an RZ2 block
Two dwellings

Dual Occupancy

Two dwellings may be considered where the block and proposed development satisfy the applicable planning controls.

02
Architectural illustration of multi-unit residential development in RZ2
Multiple dwellings

Multi-Unit Housing

RZ2 can provide opportunities for more than one dwelling, subject to plot ratio, site coverage, setbacks and other controls.

03
Architectural planning illustration showing possible ownership and development pathways
Ownership pathway

Subdivision or Unit Title

Depending on the proposal, separate ownership pathways may also need to be considered as part of the overall development assessment.

01 Confirm RZ2 zoning
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02 Check site controls
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03 Assess the proposal
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04 Select the pathway
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Key takeaway RZ2 zoning may provide several development opportunities, but the zoning alone does not determine the final outcome.

Block dimensions, plot ratio, site coverage, setbacks, access and other property-specific controls still need to be assessed.

What may be possible on your RZ2 block?

Start with your property to understand which development pathway may be worth investigating.

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Separate ownership

Subdivision & unit title pathways in RZ2

Block subdivision and unit-title subdivision are different legal pathways. The right option depends on the property, approved development and intended ownership outcome.

4

From development concept to separate ownership

Assessment → approval → construction where required → subdivision or title process.

01

Assess the site

Property planning assessment

Confirm zoning, Crown lease, block details and relevant constraints.

02

Approve the proposal

Planning and subdivision approval process

Meet the applicable development, subdivision and servicing requirements.

03

Complete requirements

Required completion documentation

Provide any construction, occupancy or other documentation required for the pathway.

04

Create titles

Separate units or titles

Eligible land or units can proceed through the relevant registration process.

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Building more than one dwelling does not automatically guarantee separate titles.

The relevant subdivision, unit-title, Crown lease and property-specific requirements must still be satisfied.

Which ownership pathway may suit your project?

Review the proposed development and title outcome together from the start.

Unit Title Questions → Check My Block →
RZ2 property assessment

Can I develop my RZ2 block?

Potentially, yes — but the practical development outcome depends on the property and the housing form being proposed.

5

Four things to check before deciding what may work

RZ2 zoning creates development opportunities, but the property still needs to work physically and satisfy the applicable planning controls.

01
RZ2 zoning and property assessment

What is the proposed housing form?

Start with the type of residential development being considered for the property.

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02
RZ2 block dimensions and site layout

Does the block work?

Check the block dimensions, frontage, orientation and available development area.

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03
RZ2 site coverage setbacks and planning controls

Can the planning controls be met?

Review plot ratio, site coverage, setbacks, landscaping and building placement.

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04
RZ2 access servicing easements trees and property constraints

Are there site constraints?

Access, services, easements, trees and other property-specific matters may affect the outcome.

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Key takeaway RZ2 zoning does not automatically determine how much development can be achieved on a particular block.

The proposed housing form, property dimensions and site-specific planning controls need to be considered together.

Want to understand your block?

Start with your Canberra property and see which planning factors may affect its development potential.

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Property constraints

What can limit an RZ2 development?

Even where a housing type is permitted in RZ2, site-specific constraints can reduce or prevent the intended development outcome.

6

One block can have several planning constraints

Development potential is determined by the interaction of the zoning, site conditions and applicable controls.

Easements

Easements

Existing easements may restrict where buildings, driveways or services can be located.

Frontage and dimensions

Frontage & dimensions

Block shape and width can affect access, building layout and dwelling yield.

Property services

Services

Water, sewer, stormwater, electricity and other infrastructure need to be considered.

Illustrative property showing common planning constraints
Tree restrictions

Trees

Protected or regulated trees and canopy requirements can influence building placement.

Setbacks

Setbacks

Required distances from boundaries and other buildings reduce the usable envelope.

Driveway and vehicle access

Access & parking

Vehicle access, parking and manoeuvring can materially affect the layout.

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Key takeaway Two RZ2 blocks of the same size can have very different development potential.

Usable space is shaped by access, setbacks, services, trees, easements and other site-specific requirements.

What about my block?See which constraints may affect your property.

Check the block before deciding on a development concept.

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Additional planning controls

Other planning overlays

Mapped planning information can add further requirements and can change where or how development may occur.

7

Your RZ2 block may have additional mapped constraints

The zone is only one layer of the planning assessment.

Heritage

Heritage controls may affect demolition, alterations and new development.

Flood

Flood-related mapping may introduce additional site and design considerations.

Biodiversity

Environmental constraints can affect usable development areas.

Bushfire

Bushfire controls may require additional design, access or construction measures.

Other mapped controls

District and Territory Plan mapping may introduce additional requirements.

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Key takeaway Two similar RZ2 blocks may have different development potential.

Zoning, mapped controls and property-specific conditions need to be considered together.

What about my block? Check which planning information may apply to your property.

Start with your Canberra address to review the relevant block information.

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Planning Q&A

Related RZ2 planning questions

Detailed answers about site coverage, plot ratio, housing yield, dual occupancy, open space and titles.

Site Coverage How much of my block can I build on? Read full answer learn more arrow Plot Ratio Do the specifications set our site coverage or plot ratio? Read full answer learn more arrow Dual Occupancy What is the maximum size for dual occupancy? Read full answer learn more arrow Open Space How are private open space requirements determined? Read full answer learn more arrow Development Potential How many homes could actually fit on my block? Read full answer learn more arrow Unit Titles When can separate unit titles be created? Read full answer learn more arrow
Content Review Reviewed by Frank Walmsley — ACT Building Licence 2012767

Last updated: 15 September 2026

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Quick Answers

Frequently asked RZ2 questions

What types of housing can be considered in RZ2?
RZ2 can support a range of missing-middle housing, including duplexes, triplexes, terraces, townhouses and low-rise apartments, subject to the applicable planning and site requirements.
What is the general site coverage for multi-unit housing in RZ2?
Multi-unit housing, including dual occupancy, is generally subject to a maximum site coverage of 45% of the original block area in RZ2.
Does RZ2 use a general plot-ratio limit?
The current technical specifications set site coverage requirements and do not set a general plot-ratio control for these RZ2 residential outcomes.
Does RZ2 zoning guarantee that I can build multiple dwellings?
No. The proposed housing form must still satisfy the applicable planning controls, site constraints, servicing, access and property-specific requirements.

Not sure what's possible on your RZ2 block?

Get a property-specific planning assessment for your Canberra site.

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General information only. This page is not legal or planning advice. Always confirm the requirements applying to your specific property.