Published on Thursday, 5 November 2026 at 10:16:25 AM
The State Government is proposing changes to the Residential Design Codes (R-Codes).
The R-Codes are the rules that guide how homes and residential development are designed and developed across Western Australia. The changes are intended to make the R-Codes simpler and easier to use, provide a more consistent approach to residential development and support a greater range of housing choices.
The proposed changes cover a wide range of residential development requirements. Some of the key changes include changes to subdivision in areas coded R20 and below, with minimum lot sizes proposed to replace the current average lot size requirements.
Other changes relate to ancillary dwellings, commonly known as granny flats, as well as requirements relating to parking and trees and landscaping. Changes are also proposed to the development requirements that apply to residential development in commercial and mixed-use areas, including building height. Other changes relate to matters such as housing types, setbacks, visual privacy, ground level changes and other requirements that influence how residential development is designed.
As the R-Codes apply across the State and work alongside local planning schemes and policies, the proposed changes may affect how residential development is planned and assessed within the Town of East Fremantle. The Town is reviewing the proposed changes and what they may mean for East Fremantle, including any implications for the Town’s local planning framework and the preparation of the new Local Planning Scheme No. 4. As part of this review, the Town will consider whether the proposed changes should be presented to Council for consideration of a submission to the State Government.
Community members are encouraged to have their say. The Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage website includes a number of information sheets that explain the proposed changes in more detail. The proposed R-Codes, supporting information and details on how to make a submission can also be viewed through the State Government’s consultation website. Community members can make their own submission if they wish.
View the proposed R-Codes, information sheets and how to make a submission via the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage website.
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