R-Zoning, What Does it Mean?

Hi All,

Just wondering if anyone can help clarify this question for me.

What does the R-zoning mean? (R20, R30, R40 etc)

Thanks!

It relates to the number of dwellings that can go on the block. I think different shires are differnt so you may need to check with the individual shire as to what the specific codes mean.

When zones change investors will often look for blocks where the change will allow an extra dwelling or two and snap it up so they can then subdivide and put an additional house on the block.

Note that a zone type doens't mean automatic approval for additoanl dwellings though as other factors also come into play ie: the size of the block may meet the zoning but a council may still decline an application if the frontage isn't considered big enough ie: one shore I know of in WA state that a block must be 26m across the front before an application will be approved.

So if your looking at subdivinding then find out what zoning number you need, then also find out what else is required such as frontage, whether each block when subdivided must be a certain size (this may means some blocks where the house is dead in the middle may be no good as the rear block would then be two small.

Hope this helps a bit.
PK

Hi Arthur,

The R-Code technically refers to how many dwellings can be placed on a 1.00 acre area. ie. R-40 = 40 houses per acre, or about 250sqm per lot. That means if you have a 900ish sqm lot, you "could" put a maximum of 4 villas/townhouses on the land.
As purplekiss said however, this is the maximum, and subject to other conditions by the local government and planning commision. Conditions can include things such as minimum frontage/setbacks, number of car parking spaces, minimum outdoor entertainment area (approx 20m for R-40), access and several others.
Best thing to do would be contact the local government and ask for a copy of their residential design codes, and the relevent state planning commission for a copy of their subdivsion guidelines.

Best wishes

Chris

Many thanks PK & Chris,

How are you guys going with you investing?

Sounds like you're both in WA?

Do you have a smart property accountants?

Cheers

Hi,
This is my first post so please bear with me. I have recently been looking at zonings, etc and come to the conclusion that whilst councils may be common in there thinking of zone classification, they are certainly different in there views of what can be done. For example building setbacks from the road, significant trees and how they are evaluated, corner allotments, etc, etc.
Suggest you speak with council as l have found them quite approachable and willing to help.

Good luck!

Frank De Jong

r40 zoning would give approx four x 250 sq mtr blocks, not 40 per acre, I think. Simply knock off th 0 from the 40 and divide by 1000. Very roughly.

Does anyone know who the best person to speak to about this would be? Lands Planning and Environment etc.? I wouldn't mind trying to get hold of a copy of the legislation etc for it.

Thanks!

Thanks for clarifying this questions. I was wondering myself. Having an 1000m block close to the city with R40 zoning had little relevance to me until I have seen the answers here. Much appreciated.

things must be different in aussie land.  here in the US, R-40 zoning generally means minimum lot size is 40,000 square feet. (which means any R40 lot smaller than 80,000 SF cannot be subdivided without a zoning change)