Medium Density Residential Design Codes

Current Status

On 23 February 2023, the State Government publicly released amendments to Volume 1 of the R Codes (2023 R Codes). The amendments split the R Codes Volume 1 into Part B – Low Density and Part C – Medium Density (Medium Density Code). The Medium Density Code was due to be gazetted and come into operation on 1 September 2023.

On 9 August 2023, the Minister for Planning announced that they had requested deferred gazettal of the Medium Density Code to rework the policy, including removal of its application to R30 and R40 coded lots.

In their statement on 18 August 2023, the Western Australian Planning Commission’s Chairman estimated that the policy changes may take around 6 months to be made.

What does this mean?

The 2023 R Codes remains an adopted policy of the WAPC, although the weight it is afforded in determining an application is limited. This is because it is neither certain nor imminent in coming into effect in the form it was adopted. This is due to its deferred gazettal to a future date that is currently unconfirmed and the uncertainty in the extent of amendments to be made in reworking the policy, including the intended removal of its application to R30 and R40 coded lots.

Where can I get more information?

For the most up-to-date information, visit the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage website.