How are vehicle access and parking requirements assessed?

According to Section 27 – Vehicle and bicycle parking of the Planning (Residential Zones) Technical Specifications 2026 vehicle access and parking requirements are assessed by looking at the number of parking spaces, where parking is located, safety, accessibility, garage and carport design, parking space sizes, and vehicle access arrangements.

The number of required car parking spaces depends on the type of residential development:

• Single dwellings: At least 2 car parking spaces must be provided on site. However, a single-bedroom dwelling on a compact block only requires 1 car parking space.
• Secondary residences: At least 1 additional parking space must be provided in addition to the parking required for the main dwelling.
• Multi-unit housing: The required parking rates and parking locations are determined using Tables 12 and 13 of the Technical Specifications.
• Co-housing: Car parking spaces must be provided in one combined parking area that is screened from public view.
• Developments with 40 or more dwellings: At least one short-stay parking space with access for delivery vehicles, such as furniture delivery trucks and removalist vans, must be provided.

Location of car parking spaces (Specification 27.3)

Car parking spaces must:

• Not be located in the front zone, except:
  • on compact blocks, or
  • where a driveway is provided in tandem with another parking space located behind the front building line.
• Only be arranged in tandem parking where both spaces serve the same dwelling.
• Not extend over property boundaries.
• For multi-unit housing:
  • Be at least 1.5 metres away from windows or doors of habitable rooms that are not associated with the parking space.
  • Be located within 50 metres of the dwelling it serves or the common entry point for visitor parking.

Safety requirements (Specification 27.4)

Vehicle access areas, including verge crossings and internal driveways, must be designed so they can be safely used by vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists. Safety measures, such as speed reduction treatments, should be included where necessary.

Car parking dimensions – single dwellings (Specification 27.7)

Car parking spaces must meet the minimum dimensions below (or the requirements of AS 2890.1 – Off-Street Parking Facilities):

• Single roofed parking space: 6m × 3m
• Double roofed parking space: 6m × 5.5m
• Single unroofed parking space: 5.5m × 3m
• Multiple unroofed spaces side by side: 5.5m × 2.6m
• Parallel parking space: 6.7m × 2.3m
• Minimum overhead clearance: 2.1m

Other requirements, including accessible car parking spaces, basement car parking, garage and carport openings, vehicle access, verge crossings, and internal driveways for multi-unit housing, are provided in Section 27 – Vehicle and bicycle parking of the Planning (Residential Zones) Technical Specifications 2026 | PDF

Reference: Planning (Residential Zones) Technical Specifications 2026 (NI2026-303), Assessment Outcome 27 - Planning (Residential Zones) Technical Specifications 2026 | PDF