State Environmental Planning Policy (Housing) 2021

NSW Housing Planning Policy — What You Need to Know

This is a NSW State Environmental Planning Policy (SEPP) — basically a set of planning rules set by the NSW Government that overrides local council planning rules when it comes to housing. Think of it as the state government stepping in and saying: "On housing matters, our rules apply across NSW, no matter what your local council says."

What does it actually do?

This policy consolidates (brings together into one document) the rules for a wide range of housing types across NSW, including:

• Social housing (government-funded affordable homes for people on low incomes)
• Affordable housing (homes priced below market rate for essential workers and low-to-moderate income earners)
• Seniors housing (retirement villages and aged care facilities)
• Boarding houses (shared accommodation where residents have their own room but share facilities)
• Build-to-rent housing (large apartment buildings owned by one landlord and rented out long-term)
• Manufactured home estates (communities of pre-built homes, sometimes called "relocatable homes")
• Caravan parks (both holiday and permanent residential)

Who does this affect?

• : The rules determine what types of housing can be built near you, potentially affecting your neighbourhood's character and property values.