NSW Pattern Book & CDC

The NSW Government has introduced a new Pattern Book initiative to speed up housing delivery. But what exactly is it, how does it work, and what role does the new Pattern Book Development Code play in CDC approvals?

Here’s our quick breakdown of what you need to know.

What is the NSW Pattern Book?

The Pattern Book is a government-sponsored catalogue of pre-approved residential building designs. It’s a collaboration between the Department of Planning, Government Architect NSW, and the development industry to standardise high-quality, buildable designs, with a goal to enable faster approvals and streamlined construction. 

There are two design categories:

• Low Rise: 2-storey developments such as dual occupancies, row housing, and terraces
• Mid Rise: 3 to 6 storey apartment buildings (expected late 2025)

View the official designs here: NSW Housing Pattern Book

What are the pattern building types?

Each pattern corresponds to a defined land use in the NSW planning framework:

Please note that the land use for terraces is simply a special case within the broader land use of "multi dwelling housing".

Approval Pathways: DA or CDC?

Pattern designs can be approved through a Development Application (DA) or via fast-track complying development (CDC) using the new Pattern Book Development Code.

Key differences:

• DA pathway: The design does not need to stick tightly to the pattern but the applicant must ensure all LEP and DCP controls are met. There is no special fast-tracking.
• CDC pathway: The approval is fast-tracked (10-day target) but design choices must stick closely to what's allowed in the pattern.

Some designs potentially could qualify under the existing CDC Low Rise Housing Diversity Code, but the Pattern Book Development Code provides a more direct path.

What makes a pattern project eligible for CDC?

To use CDC with the Pattern Book, the site must meet four levels of criteria, some of which are intertwined with the recently implemented Low and Mid Rise policy (LMR, found in Housing SEPP Chapter 6):

1. LEP or LMR permissibility: The development type (e.g. dual occupancy, manor house) must be permissible either by the LEP zone or by LMR applying.
2. Minimum lot area: The site must meet the LEP minimum lot area for building that type, except if the site is in a Low and Mid Rise area, in which case the LEP minimum is ignored.
3. CDC land requirements: The land must be in zone R1, R2, or R3 and pass all exclusion rules listed in Codes SEPP Part 1 and Part 3BA (see below).
4. Pattern requirements: The site must meet the specific minimum lot area and width for the chosen pattern (dependent on inside or outside LMR area), and the final design must stay within the allowable modifications of the pattern.

CDC land exclusions are things like:

• Bushfire, flood-prone, landslip or heritage-affected land;
• Battle-axe lots, easements, or unsewered sites.

Subdivision is allowed (with conditions)

Subdivision of patterns may be approved by DA or CDC. It can be done concurrently or after the main development, for either Torrens or strata titles. 

However, very importantly, all LEP rules (or LMR if applicable) governing subdivision must be met for the subdivision to be approvable by either DA or CDC. The Pattern Book Development Code does not cancel out or override any such rules.

The subdivision rules that must be satisfied could include:

• LEP clause 4.1 pointing to the Lot Size Map value;
• LEP custom clauses for the specific type e.g. dual occupancy;
• LMR rules: 225 sqm for dual occupancy or 165 sqm for terraces.

Note that prohibitions on subdivision in an LEP would prevent any approval by DA or CDC.

How to check if a pattern is eligible

You can use PropCode's platform to instantly assess:

• Whether the land use is permissible on the site
• Whether the site is inside the LMR area
• Which patterns (if any) are eligible for CDC

Check your site here: https://app.propcode.com.au/cdc

Final thoughts

The Pattern Book is a major step towards delivering well-designed housing more efficiently in NSW. But the eligibility rules are complex, and getting it wrong can cost time and money.

PropCode has integrated the Pattern Book Development Code into our platform to make this process easier for planners, certifiers and developers. We’ll keep updating our tools as more patterns are released and mid-rise options become available.