MP 1.

1 – DESIGN AND SITING STANDARD FOR SINGLE

DETACHED HOUSING – ON LOTS UNDER 450M2

Index

Purpose ...........................................................................................................2

Commencement...............................................................................................2

Application .......................................................................................................2

Referral Agency ...............................................................................................2

Associated Requirements ................................................................................2

Referenced Standards .....................................................................................2

Definitions ........................................................................................................2

ELEMENT 1 – DESIGN AND SITING OF BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES..6

ELEMENT 2 – SPACE FOR ON-SITE CAR PARKING .................................15

ELEMENT 3 – OUTDOOR LIVING SPACE...................................................16

Queensland Development Code Page 1 MP 1.1

Publication Date: 11 March 2010 Design and Siting Standard for Lots 450m2 & Under
MP 1.1 – DESIGN AND SITING STANDARD FOR SINGLE DETACHED HOUSING – ON
LOTS 450M2 AND UNDER

Purpose

To provide good residential design that promotes the efficient use of a lot, an
acceptable amenity to residents, and to facilitate off street parking.

Commencement

This version of MP 1.1 commences on 26 March 2010 and replaces the part
published on 16 November 2007.

Application

MP 1.1 applies to new building work for single detached dwellings (Class 1)
and associated Class 10 buildings and structures on lots less than 450m2 in
area including “community title lots” having only one detached dwelling on a
lot.

MP 1.1 does not apply to:

a) Development in an urban development area; or
b) Except for swimming pools, structures less than 1m above natural ground

Note 1 - Development in an urban development area must comply with the requirements of
the land use plan for the area and guidelines issued by the Urban Land Development
Authority

Referral Agency

The Local Government is a concurrence agency as per items 19 and 21 in

schedule 7, table 1 of the Sustainable Planning Regulation 2009.

Associated Requirements

Compliance with this standard may not be the only requirement. Planning
schemes, local laws, State Acts and other IDAS codes may impose additional
requirements.

Referenced Standards

There are no Australian Standards referenced by this standard.

Definitions
Note 2 - Italicised words within the body of the text are defined.

Acceptable solution has the same meaning as Building solution in the

Building Code of Australia – Volume 2.

Access place means a minor cul-de-sac street providing local residential

access, with shared traffic, pedestrian and recreation use.

Access street means a street providing local residential access with shared
traffic, pedestrian and recreation use with local traffic access priority.
Queensland Development Code Page 2 MP 1.1

Publication Date: 11 March 2010 Design and Siting Standard for Lots 450m2 & Under
MP 1.1 – DESIGN AND SITING STANDARD FOR SINGLE DETACHED HOUSING – ON
LOTS 450M2 AND UNDER

Area means for enclosed spaces, the area including the outside wall; and for
unenclosed spaces, the area is measured along a line 600mm in from the
perimeter of the roof.

Balcony means any external platform, attached to and accessed from a

building and 1 metre or more above adjacent finished ground level.

Building has the same meaning as in the Building Act 1975.

Building height means the vertical distance between natural surface level of
the ground and the apex of a building’s roof, but not including any receiving
antennae, chimneys or flues.

Carport means a class 10a building, other than a garage, providing covered
vehicular parking.

Note 3 - Also refer to Open carport and Garage.

Collector Street means a street providing for local residential access and
local traffic movement within performance limits defined in Queensland
Streets.

Community Title refers to title created by subdivision of land by way of a

standard format plan of a community title scheme given under the provisions
of the Body Corporate and Community Management Act 1997 (BCCM Act).

Depth of a lot means either the dimension at right angles to the road
boundary or the average of the relevant dimensions at right angles to an
irregular road boundary.

Detached dwelling means a single dwelling not attached to another dwelling

and on an individual lot.

Frontage means the road alignment of a lot.

Garage means an enclosed class 10a building, providing covered vehicular

parking.

Habitable room has the same meaning as in the Building Code of Australia.

Height of a building or structure at any point for the purpose of determining its
setback from a boundary means the vertical distance between the outermost
projection and the natural ground.

Note 4 - Refer also to Mean height and Building height.

Lot means a separate, distinct parcel of land on which a building is to be built,

or is built.

Queensland Development Code Page 3 MP 1.1

Publication Date: 11 March 2010 Design and Siting Standard for Lots 450m2 & Under
MP 1.1 – DESIGN AND SITING STANDARD FOR SINGLE DETACHED HOUSING – ON
LOTS 450M2 AND UNDER

Mean height, of a building or structure, means the vertical height worked out
by dividing –
(b) the total elevational area of the wall of a building or structure facing
the boundary; by
(c) the horizontal length of the building or structure facing the boundary.

Natural ground surface, for a lot, means

(a) the ground level of the lot on the day the first plan of survey showing
the lot was registered; or
(b) if the ground level on the day mentioned in paragraph (a) is not
known, the natural ground surface as determined by the building
certifier.

Nominated road frontage means the road frontage nominated by the Local
Government for the area.

Open Carport means a carport with –

(a) two sides or more open, and a side is also considered open where
the roof covering adjacent to that side is not less than 500mm from
another building or a side or rear allotment boundary; and
(b) not less than one-third of its perimeter open.

Outermost projection means the outermost projection of any part of a

building or structure including, in the case of a roof, the outside face of the
fascia, or the roof structure where there is no fascia, or attached sunhoods or
the like, but does not include retractable blinds, fixed screens, rainwater
fittings, or ornamental attachments.

Performance Criteria has the same meaning as “performance requirement”

in the Building Code of Australia – Volume 2.

Rear boundary clearance, refer to side and rear boundary clearance.

Road means –
(a) an area of land dedicated to public use as a road; or
(b) an area open to , or used by, the public and developed for, or has,
as 1 of its main uses, the driving or riding of motor vehicles; and
(c) does not include a pedestrian or bicycle path.

Road boundary clearance, for a building or structure on a lot means the

shortest distance measured horizontally from the outermost projection of the
building or structure to the vertical projection of the boundary of the lot
adjacent to the road.

Secondary frontage means the road frontage of a lot as determined by the

Local Government.
Queensland Development Code Page 4 MP 1.1

Publication Date: 11 March 2010 Design and Siting Standard for Lots 450m2 & Under
MP 1.1 – DESIGN AND SITING STANDARD FOR SINGLE DETACHED HOUSING – ON
LOTS 450M2 AND UNDER

Setback means:
a) for a building or structure other than a swimming pool, the shortest
distance measured horizontally from the outermost projection of the
building or structure to the vertical projection of the boundary of the lot.

b) for a swimming pool, the shortest distance measured horizontally from the
water’s edge to the vertical projection of a boundary of the lot

Side and rear boundary clearance means:

a) for a building or structure other than a swimming pool, the shortest
distance measured horizontally from the outermost projection of the
building or structure to the vertical projection of the boundary of the lot

b) for a swimming pool, the shortest distance measured horizontally from the
water’s edge to the vertical projection of a boundary of the lot

Slope means the gradient of the natural ground of a lot measured across a
20m x 20m area over the building location, or where the lot is less than 20m
wide – 20m x width of lot.

Structure has the same meaning as in the Building Act 1975.

Urban development area has the same meaning as that given in the Urban
Land Development Authority Act 2007.

Window has the same meaning as in the Building Code of Australia.

Window/Balcony Screen means a translucent, perforated or slatted barrier,

including a fence, constructed of durable material and having –
(a) if perforated -
(i) a maximum 25% openings; and
(ii) each opening not more than 50mm square; or
(b) if slatted or louvred -
(c) a maximum of 25% opening with clear vision at 90 to the plane of
the window; and
(d) each opening not more than 50mm clear vision at 90 to the plane of
the window.

Queensland Development Code Page 5 MP 1.1

Publication Date: 11 March 2010 Design and Siting Standard for Lots 450m2 & Under
MP 1.1 – DESIGN AND SITING STANDARD FOR SINGLE DETACHED HOUSING – ON
LOTS 450M2 AND UNDER

ELEMENT 1 – DESIGN AND SITING OF BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES

PERFORMANCE ACCEPTABLE
CRITERIA\ SOLUTIONS

Buildings and structure

P1 The location of a building or A1 (a) For a detached dwelling

structure facilitates an the minimum road
acceptable streetscape, setback is:
appropriate for – (i) as in Table A1; or
(a) the bulk of the building or
TABLE A1
structure; and Minimum Minimum
(b) the road boundary Street Type Frontage side to
setback corner
setbacks of neighbouring (m)1 street
buildings or structure; and (m)
Access place
(c) the outlook and views of and Access 3.0 1.0
neighbouring residents; street
Collector 4.0 2.0
and street
(d) nuisance and safety to the
public.
(ii) where there are
existing detached
dwellings on both
adjoining lots and at
least one of the
detached dwellings is
setback from the road
between 3m and 6m,
and the difference
between their road
setbacks is-
(A) not more than
2m- a distance
Figure 1
between the two
buildings (Figure
1); or

Queensland Development Code Page 6 MP 1.1

Publication Date: 11 March 2010 Design and Siting Standard for Lots 450m2 & Under
MP 1.1 – DESIGN AND SITING STANDARD FOR SINGLE DETACHED HOUSING – ON
LOTS 450M2 AND UNDER

PERFORMANCE ACCEPTABLE
CRITERIA\ SOLUTIONS

Figure 2 (B) more than 2m- the

average of the road
setbacks of the
adjacent buildings
(Figure 2); and

Queensland Development Code Page 7 MP 1.1

Publication Date: 11 March 2010 Design and Siting Standard for Lots 450m2 & Under
MP 1.1 – DESIGN AND SITING STANDARD FOR SINGLE DETACHED HOUSING – ON
LOTS 450M2 AND UNDER

PERFORMANCE ACCEPTABLE
CRITERIA\ SOLUTIONS

Figure 3 (iii) where adjacent

buildings have road
setbacks of 3m or
less – any distance
between the
setbacks (Figure 3)

Figure 4
(b) For a garage/carport
the minimum road
setback is-
(i) as for A1(a); and
(ii) for a rectangular or
near rectangular lot,
the elevational
dimension of
openings facing the
street is the lesser of
6m and 50% of the
street frontage.
(Figure 4)

Queensland Development Code Page 8 MP 1.1

Publication Date: 11 March 2010 Design and Siting Standard for Lots 450m2 & Under
MP 1.1 – DESIGN AND SITING STANDARD FOR SINGLE DETACHED HOUSING – ON
LOTS 450M2 AND UNDER

PERFORMANCE ACCEPTABLE
CRITERIA\ SOLUTIONS

Table A1 (c) For a corner lot, the

minimum road setback is-
(i) as for A1(a); and (b)
(i) and (ii); except
(ii) where the average
depth of the lot is 24m
or less:
(A) for the nominated
road frontage –
as Table A1
(Figure 5); and
Figure 5 (B) for the other road
frontage – as for
A1; provided
(C) no building or
structure over 2m
high is built within
a 9m by 9m
truncation at the
corner of the 2
road frontages.
(d) For structures minimum
road setbacks are as for
A1(a), (b), and (c) except
for –
(i) swimming pools
where the minimum
distance from the
water to the road
frontage is –
(A) where the vertical
distance to the
coping above the
finished ground
level is not more
than 1.2m –
1.5m; or

Queensland Development Code Page 9 MP 1.1

Publication Date: 11 March 2010 Design and Siting Standard for Lots 450m2 & Under
MP 1.1 – DESIGN AND SITING STANDARD FOR SINGLE DETACHED HOUSING – ON
LOTS 450M2 AND UNDER

PERFORMANCE ACCEPTABLE
CRITERIA\ SOLUTIONS

(B) where a solid

wall or fence at
least 1.8m high
above finished
ground level is
constructed
between the
water and the
road frontage
and the top of the
wall or fence is at
least 1.0m above
the top of the
coping of the
pool, – no
requirement; and
(ii) screens, fences,
retaining walls or a
combination of
screens fences or
retaining walls not
more than 2m in
height; and
(iii) roofed gatehouses
and arches having a –
(A) maximum area of
4m2; and
(B) not more than 2m
wide elevation to
street; and
(C) not more than 3m
in height.

P2 Buildings and structures – A2 (a) The side and rear

boundary clearance for a
(a) provide adequate daylight part of the building or
and ventilation to habitable structure is –
rooms; and (i) where the height of
(b) allow adequate light and that part is 4.5m or
ventilation to habitable rooms less - 1.5m; and
of buildings on adjoining lots. (ii) where the height of
(c) do not adversely impact on that part is greater
Queensland Development Code Page 10 MP 1.1

Publication Date: 11 March 2010 Design and Siting Standard for Lots 450m2 & Under
MP 1.1 – DESIGN AND SITING STANDARD FOR SINGLE DETACHED HOUSING – ON
LOTS 450M2 AND UNDER

PERFORMANCE ACCEPTABLE
CRITERIA\ SOLUTIONS

the amenity and privacy of than 4.5m but not

residents on adjoining lots. more than 7.5m - 2m;
and

(iii) where the height is

greater that 7.5m - 2m
plus 0.5m for every 3m
or part exceeding
7.5m.

(b) For a rectangular or near

rectangular narrow lot
with a 15m or less
frontage, the minimum
side and rear setbacks for
Table A2 that part are –
Road Frontage Side and Rear (i) where the height is not
boundary clearances
more than 7.5m – in
eight
in metres in metres accordance with Table
4.5 or less 4.5 to 7.5 A2; and
14.501 – 15.000 1.425 1.900
14.001 – 14.500 1.350 1.800 (ii) where the height is
13.501 – 14.000 1.275 1.700 more than 7.5 m –
13.001 – 13.500 1.200 1.600 2m plus 0.5 m for
12.501 – 13.000 1.125 1.500
12.001 – 12.500 1.050 1.400 every 3 m or part of
11.501 – 12.000 0.975 1.300 3m by which the height
11.001 – 11.500 0900 1.200 exceeds 7.5m.
10.501 – 11.000 0.825 1.100
10.500 or less 0.750 1.000 (c) Structures may be
exempted from A2 (a) and
(b) where-
(i) the structure is not a
deck, patio, pergola,
verandah or the like
other than one
permitted under A2 (c)
(v)
(ii) the structure is not
used for
entertainment,
recreational purposes
or the like
(iii) a screen, fence or
retaining wall or a

Queensland Development Code Page 11 MP 1.1

Publication Date: 11 March 2010 Design and Siting Standard for Lots 450m2 & Under
MP 1.1 – DESIGN AND SITING STANDARD FOR SINGLE DETACHED HOUSING – ON
LOTS 450M2 AND UNDER

PERFORMANCE ACCEPTABLE
CRITERIA\ SOLUTIONS

combination of
screens, fences of
retaining walls not
more than 2m high; or
(iv) a rainwater tank,
including any
supporting structure
such as a stand, is not
more than 2..4m high.
(v) Subject to (ii), it is a
pergola or other
structure which is-
(A) not enclosed by
walls or roofed;
and
(B) not more than
2.4m in height at
the boundary;
and
(C) primarily
ornamental or
for horticultural
purposes.
(d) Subject to A2(c), class
10a buildings or parts may
be within the boundary
clearances nominated in
A2 (a) and (b) where-
(i) the height of a part
within the boundary
clearance is not more
than 4.5m and has a
mean height of not
more than 3.5m; and
(ii) the total length of all
buildings or parts, of
any class, within the
boundary clearance is
not more than 9m along
any one boundary; and;

Queensland Development Code Page 12 MP 1.1

Publication Date: 11 March 2010 Design and Siting Standard for Lots 450m2 & Under
MP 1.1 – DESIGN AND SITING STANDARD FOR SINGLE DETACHED HOUSING – ON
LOTS 450M2 AND UNDER

PERFORMANCE ACCEPTABLE
CRITERIA\ SOLUTIONS

(iii) the class 10a buildings

or parts within the
boundary clearance are
located no closer than
1.5m to a required
window in a habitable
room of an adjoining
dwelling.
(e) Swimming pools may be
within the boundary
clearances nominated in
A2(a) and (b) where -
(i) a solid wall or fence,
constructed to prevent
water entry onto
adjoining lots, at least
1.8m high above
finished ground level, is
erected between the
swimming pool and the
boundary of the lot; and
(ii) The top of the wall or
fence is at least 1.0m
above the top of the
coping of the pool.

P3 Adequate open space is A3 The maximum area covered

provided for recreation, service by all buildings and structures
facilities and landscaping. roofed with impervious
materials, does not exceed
50% of the lot area.

P4 The height of a building is not to A4 For lot slopes-

unduly – (a) up to 15%, the building
height is not more than
(f) overshadow adjoining 8.5m; and
houses; and (b) of 15% or more, the
(g) obstruct the outlook from building height is not
adjoining lots. more than 10m.

P5 Buildings are sited and designed A5 Where the distance

to provide adequate visual separating a window or
privacy for neighbours. balcony of a detached
dwelling from the side or rear
Queensland Development Code Page 13 MP 1.1

Publication Date: 11 March 2010 Design and Siting Standard for Lots 450m2 & Under
MP 1.1 – DESIGN AND SITING STANDARD FOR SINGLE DETACHED HOUSING – ON
LOTS 450M2 AND UNDER

PERFORMANCE ACCEPTABLE
CRITERIA\ SOLUTIONS

Figure 6 boundary is less than 1.5 m –

(a) a permanent window and

a balcony has a
window/balcony screen
extending across the line
of sight from the sill to at
least 1.5m above the
adjacent floor level; or
(b) a window has a sill height
more than 1.5m above
the adjacent floor level,
or
(c) a window has obscure
glazing below 1.5m
(Figure 6).

P6 The location of a building or A6 A wall is –

structure facilitates normal (a) set back a minimum of
building maintenance. 750mm from the side or
rear boundary; or
(b) where less than 750mm
to the boundary,
maintenance free, such
as unpainted or
untreated masonry or
prefinished steel
sheeting..

P7 The size and location of A7 Fences, screens, and

structures on corner sites provide retaining walls and other
for adequate sight lines. structures are not more than
1m high within a truncation
Figure 7 made by 3 equal chords of a
6m radius curve at the corner
of the 2 road frontages
(Figure 7).

Queensland Development Code Page 14 MP 1.1

Publication Date: 11 March 2010 Design and Siting Standard for Lots 450m2 & Under
MP 1.1 – DESIGN AND SITING STANDARD FOR SINGLE DETACHED HOUSING – ON
LOTS 450M2 AND UNDER

ELEMENT 2 – SPACE FOR ON-SITE CAR PARKING

PERFORMANCE ACCEPTABLE
REQUIREMENTS SOLUTIONS

P8 Sufficient space for on-site A8 (a) For each detached dwelling

carparking to satisfy the space is provided for parking
projected needs of residents two vehicles on the lot and the
and visitors, appropriate for – space has –
(i) minimum dimensions as
(a) the availability of public follows:
transport; and
(A) for a single uncovered
(b) the availability of on- parking space- 4.9m by
street parking; and 2.6m wide; and
(c) the desirability of on- (B) for a single covered
street parking in respect parking space- 5m by
to the streetscape; and 3m wide; and
(d) the residents likelihood (C) for a double covered
to have or need a parking space 5 by
vehicle. 5.5m wide; and
Figure 8 (D) for a single garage- 6m
by 3m wide internally;
and
(E) for a double garage-
6m by 5.7m wide
internally.
(b) Car parking spaces maybe in
tandem, provided one space is
behind the road setback
required under Element 1
(Figure 8).

Queensland Development Code Page 15 MP 1.1

Publication Date: 11 March 2010 Design and Siting Standard for Lots 450m2 & Under
MP 1.1 – DESIGN AND SITING STANDARD FOR SINGLE DETACHED HOUSING – ON
LOTS 450M2 AND UNDER

ELEMENT 3 – OUTDOOR LIVING SPACE

PERFORMANCE ACCEPTABLE
CRITERIA SOLUTIONS

P9 A detached dwelling has its A9 Each detached dwelling has a

own individual outdoor living clearly defined outdoor living
space which – space which –
(a) has an area of at least
(a) has suitable size and 16m2; and
slope is to allow
residents to extend their (b) has no dimension less
living activities outdoors; than 4m; and
and (c) has access from a living
(b) is available for the sole area; and
use of the residents of (d) Has a slope of not more
individual dwellings; and than 1 in 10; and
(c) is adequately separated (e) provides visual privacy
from each other to from another outdoor living
provide visual privacy space by a
window/balcony screen

Queensland Development Code Page 16 MP 1.1

Publication Date: 11 March 2010 Design and Siting Standard for Lots 450m2 & Under