Can a building have different setbacks along the same boundary?
Yes. A building can have different setback distances along the same boundary. The required setback depends on the applicable setback provisions, including factors such as the building height, floor level and the particular part of the building. The important requirement is that each part of the building satisfies the minimum setback applicable to that part.
Yes. The whole side of a building does not necessarily have to be the same distance from the boundary.
For example, one section of a house may be 1.5 m from the side boundary, while another section steps back to 3 m. This can occur because of the building design or because a different minimum setback applies to a higher part of the building.
The setback must therefore be checked at the relevant points along the building to make sure no part is closer to the boundary than permitted.
Reference: Planning (Residential Zones) Technical Specifications 2026 (NI2026-303) - Planning (Residential Zones) Technical Specifications 2026 | PDF
Link on the answer: https://www.legislation.act.gov.au/View/ni/2026-303/current/PDF/2026-303.PDF
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| Dual Occupancy Q&A | #501 | agrees | 27/08/2026 |