NSW Pattern Book & CDC

The long-awaited NSW Pattern Book for low rise designs landed yesterday. Alongside the release of the patterns themselves, an amendment to the Codes SEPP was gazetted, giving full clarity about the new CDC pathway to approve a Pattern Book design.

This pathway takes effect on 30 July 2025, and mid rise designs (3-6 storeys) will come later in 2025. It’s a whole new Code applying in R1, R2, and R3 zones statewide, not just in LMR areas. Although the Code lists the individual patterns, the precise development standards are stated in the individual pattern design packs downloadable from the Pattern Book website.

Each pattern has its own minimum lot area and width for eligibility with smaller minimums in LMR catchments. For the first time ever, it will be possible to get CDC approval on existing lots as small as 15m width for terraces and 13m width for multi dwelling housing.

These patterns can also be subdivided with CDC under the new Code. However the Code does not state an explicit child lot minimum size, meaning the LEP minimum lot size would apply.

To help the industry understand where these patterns can be used, we have already updated PropCode's CDC eligibility tool to reflect the new Code. With a PropCode CDC report or subscription, you’ll instantly see which patterns can be built as CDC. This considers permissibility, lot size, and other CDC eligibility rules.

Check out PropCode CDC now to investigate individual properties by purchasing a single report or starting a subscription. 

For site searching use cases, PropCode can also provide bulk datasets showing pattern book eligibility across entire suburbs or LGAs.