MP 1.

3 – DESIGN AND SITING STANDARD FOR DUPLEX

HOUSING

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 and OUTDOOR LIVING
SPACE......................................................................................... 14
ELEMENT 3 – DUPLEX REQUIREMENTS IN PLANNING SCHEMES............... 16

Queensland Development Code Page 1 MP 1.3

Publication Date: 11 March 2010 Design and Siting Standard for Duplex Housing
MP 1.3 – DESIGN AND SITING STANDARD FOR DUPLEX HOUSING

Purpose

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

Commencement

This version of MP 1.3 commences on 26 March 2010.

Application

MP 1.3 applies to new building work for a duplex (Class 1) and associated Class
10 buildings and structures, including “community title lots” having only one duplex
on a lot, where a Local Government has resolved under Schedule 4, Table 2, Item
2(f) of the Sustainable Planning Regulation 2009 applies.

P10 of this part permits alternative planning provisions for this part and applies
where, for new bu ilding work for a duplex, a planning scheme provides qualitative
statements for all or some performance criteria for matters provided for under this
part if the scheme also provides for quantifiable standards (e.g. acceptable
solutions) for the statements.

MP 1.3 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 mu st comply with the re quirements o f th e

land use plan for the area and guidelines issued by the Urban Land Development Authority

Referral Agency

The Local Government is a concurrenc e agency as per item 19 in schedule 7,

table 1 of the Sustainable Planning Regulation 2009.

Associated Requirements

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

Referenced Standards

There are no Australian Standards referenced in this standard.

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

Acceptable solution has the same meaning as Buil ding solution in the Building
Code of Australia – Volume 2.

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MP 1.3 – DESIGN AND SITING STANDARD FOR DUPLEX HOUSING

Area means for enclosed spac es, the area inc luding the outs ide wa ll; a nd for
unenclosed spaces, the area is measured along a line 600mm in from the
perimeter of the roof.

Balcony means any external plat form, 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 v ertical dist ance between the highest point of a
building, excluding any antennae, chimney or flues, and the natural ground
surface vertically below that point.

Carport means a c lass 10a building, other than a garage, providing cov ered
vehicular parking.
Note 3 - Also refer to open carport and garage.

Community Title refers to title created by s ubdivision 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 dimensio n at right angles to the road boundary or
the average of the r elevant dimensions at right angles to an irregular road
boundary.

Detached dwelling means a single dwelling not a ttached to another dwelling and
on an individual lot.

Duplex means a building containing not more than 2 attached dwellings

Frontage means the road alignment of a lot.

Garage means an enclosed c lass 10a building, pr oviding 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 vert ical 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.

Mean height, of a building or structure, means the vertical height worked out by
dividing –
(a) the total elevational area of the wall of a building or structure facing the
boundary; by
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MP 1.3 – DESIGN AND SITING STANDARD FOR DUPLEX HOUSING

(b) 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 m eans 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 als o considered ope n 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 screen s, rainwater fittings, or ornamental
attachments.

Performance requirement also means performance criteria.

Qualitative statement means a statement about a performance or outcome

sought to be achieved when applicable buildings or structures are completed.

Quantifiable standard means a standard that ac hieves a performance or

outcome sought under a qualitative statement.

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 m easured horizontally from the outermost projection of the building or
structure to the vertical projection of the boundary of the lot adjacent to the road.

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

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MP 1.3 – DESIGN AND SITING STANDARD FOR DUPLEX HOUSING

(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 short est distanc e
measured horizontally from the outermost projection of the building or structure
to the vertical projection of the boundary of the lot.

(b) for a swim ming pool, the shortest di stance measure d 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 -
(i) a maximum of 25% opening with clear vis ion at 90 ° to the plane of the
window; and
(ii) each opening not more than 50mm clear vision at 90° to the plane of the
window.

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Publication Date: 11 March 2010 Design and Siting Standard for Duplex Housing
MP 1.3 – DESIGN AND SITING STANDARD FOR DUPLEX HOUSING

ELEMENT 1- DESIGN AND SITING OF BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES

PERFORMANCE ACCEPTABLE
CRITERIA SOLUTIONS

Buildings and Structures

P1 The location of a building or A1 (a) For a duplex, garage or a

structure facilitates an carport th e minimum road
acceptable streetscape, setback is –
appropriate for – (i) 6m; or
(a) the bulk of the building or (ii) where there are exist ing
structure; and detached dwellings or a
duplex on both adjoining
(b) the road boundary lots and at least one of
setbacks of neighbouring the detached dwellings
buildings or structures; or duplex is setback from
and the road between 3m
(c) the outlook and views of and 6m, and the
neighbouring residents; difference between their
and road setbacks is-
(d) nuisance and safety to (A) not more than 2m-
the public. a distance between
the two buildings
Figure 1
(Figure 1); or

Figure 2 (B) more than 2m- the

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

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MP 1.3 – DESIGN AND SITING STANDARD FOR DUPLEX HOUSING

PERFORMANCE ACCEPTABLE
CRITERIA SOLUTIONS

Table A1 (b) For a corner lot, the minimum

road setbacks are-
(i) as for A1(a)(i); or
(ii) where the lot has an
average depth of 24 m
or less –
(A) for the nominated
road frontage – as
in Table A1; and
(B) for the other road
frontage - as for
A1(a)(i); and
Figure 3 (C) no building or
structure over 2m
high is built within a
9m by 9m
truncation at the
corner of the 2 road
frontages (Figure
3).

(c) For open carports, the

minimum road setback may
Figure 4 be less than required by
A(i)(a) if –
(i) the aggreg ate perimeter
dimension of walls, solid
screens, and supports
located with in the
setback does not exceed
15% of the total
perimeter dimension
(along the line of
supports) of that part of
the carport within the
same setback (Figure
4); and
(ii) there is no alternative
on-site lo cation for a
garage or carport that –

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Publication Date: 11 March 2010 Design and Siting Standard for Duplex Housing
MP 1.3 – DESIGN AND SITING STANDARD FOR DUPLEX HOUSING

PERFORMANCE ACCEPTABLE
CRITERIA SOLUTIONS

(A) complies with

A(i)(a); and
(B) will allow vehicular
access having a
minimum width of
2.5m; and
(C) has a maximum
gradient of 1 in 5.
(d) For structures the 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 n ot more
than 1.2m – 1.5m;
or
(B) where a s olid wall
or fence at least
1.8m high abov e
finished ground
level is co nstructed
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
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MP 1.3 – DESIGN AND SITING STANDARD FOR DUPLEX HOUSING

PERFORMANCE ACCEPTABLE
CRITERIA SOLUTIONS

arches having –
(A) a maximum area of
4m2 ; and
(B) not more than 2m
wide elev ation to
street; and
(C) not more than 3m
in height.
P2 Buildings and structures – A2 (a) The side and rear boundary
clearance for a par t of the
(a) provide adequate day light building or structure is –
and ventilation to (i) where the height of t hat
habitable rooms; and part is 4.5m or less -
(b) allow adequate light and 1.5m; and
ventilation to habitable (ii) where the height of t hat
rooms of buildings on part is greater than 4.5m
adjoining lots. but not more than 7.5m -
(c) do not adversely impact 2m; and
on the amenity and (iii) where the height is
privacy of residents on greater that 7.5m - 2m
adjoining lots. plus 0.5m for every 3m
or part exceeding 7.5m.
Table A2 (b) For a rec tangular or near
rectangular narrow lot with a
Road Frontage Side and Rear
Boundary Clearances 15m or less frontage, the
Height minimum side and rear
in metres in metres setbacks for that part are –
4.5 or less 4.5 to 7.5
14.501 – 15.000 1.425 1.900 (i) where the height is not
14.001 – 14.500 1.350 1.800
more than 7.5m – in
13.501 –A2
Table 14.000 1.275 1.700
13.001 – 13.500 1.200 1.600 accordance with Table
12.501 – 13.000 1.125 1.500 A2; and
12.001 – 12.500 1.050 1.400
11.501 – 12.000 0.975 1.300 (ii) where the height is m ore
11.001 – 11.500 0.900 1.200 than 7.5m – 2m plus
10.501 – 11.000 0.825 1.100 0.5m for every 3m or
10.500 or less 0.750 1.000
part of 3m by which the
height exceeds 7.5m.
(c) Structures may be exempted
from A2 (a) and (b) where –
(i) the structure is not a
deck, patio, pergola,
verandah, gazebo or the
like other than o ne

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Publication Date: 11 March 2010 Design and Siting Standard for Duplex Housing
MP 1.3 – DESIGN AND SITING STANDARD FOR DUPLEX HOUSING

PERFORMANCE ACCEPTABLE
CRITERIA SOLUTIONS

permitted under A2 (c)

(v)
(ii) the structure is n ot
used for entertainment,
recreational purposes or
the like
(iii) a screen, fence or
retaining wall o ra
combination of screens,
fences or r etaining walls
is not more than 2m in
height or
(iv) a rainwater tan k,
including any supporting
structure such as a
stand, is not more than
2.4m high.
(v) subject to A2 (c) (ii), it is
a pergola or ot her
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 nominat ed 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

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Publication Date: 11 March 2010 Design and Siting Standard for Duplex Housing
MP 1.3 – DESIGN AND SITING STANDARD FOR DUPLEX HOUSING

PERFORMANCE ACCEPTABLE
CRITERIA SOLUTIONS

boundary clearanc e is
not more than 9m alo ng
any one boundary; and
(iii) the class 10a buildings
or parts within the
boundary clearance are
located no closer th an
1.5m to a required
window in a habitable
room of an adjoining
dwelling.
(e) Swimming pools may be
within the boundary
clearances nominat ed in
A2(a) and (b) where -
(ii) a solid wall or fen ce,
constructed to prevent
water entry onto
adjoining lots, at least
1.8m high above finished
ground lev el, is erected
between t he swimm ing
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 by all

provided for recreation, service buildings and structures roofed
facilities and landscaping. with imper vious mat erials, doe s
not exceed 50% of the lot area.

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

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

P5 Buildings are sited and A5 Where the distance separating a

designed to provide adequat e window or balcony of a duplex

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MP 1.3 – DESIGN AND SITING STANDARD FOR DUPLEX HOUSING

PERFORMANCE ACCEPTABLE
CRITERIA SOLUTIONS

visual privacy for neighbours. from the side or rear 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
Figure 5 (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
5).

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

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

P7 The siz e and location of A7 Fences, screens, and retaining

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

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MP 1.3 – DESIGN AND SITING STANDARD FOR DUPLEX HOUSING

PERFORMANCE ACCEPTABLE
CRITERIA SOLUTIONS

Figure 6

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MP 1.3 – DESIGN AND SITING STANDARD FOR DUPLEX HOUSING

ELEMENT 2- SPACE FOR ON-SITE CAR PARKING and OUTDOOR LIVING

SPACE

PERFORMANCE ACCEPTABLE
CRITERIA SOLUTIONS

P8 Sufficient space for on-site A8 For each dwelling in a duplex,

carparking to satisfy the space is provided for parking two
projected needs of residents vehicles on the lot and the space
and visitors, appropriate for – has –

(a) the availability of public (a) minimum dimensions as

transport; and follows:
(b) the availability of on-street (i) for a single
parking; and uncovered parking
space- 4.9m by 2.6m
(c) the desir ability of on-
wide; and
street parking in res pect
to the streetscape; and (ii) for a single covered
parking s pace- 5m by
(d) the residents likelihood to
have or need a vehicle. 3m wide; and
(iii) for a double covered
parking space 5 by 5. 5m
wide; and
Figure 7 (iv) for a single garage-
6m by 3m wide
internally; and
(v) for a double garage-
6m by 5.7m wide
internally.
(b) Car parking spaces may be in
tandem, provided one space
is behind the road setback
required under Element
1(Figure 7).
P9 In a duplex, each dwelling has A9 Each dwelling in a duplex has a
its own individual outdoor living clearly defined outdoor living
space available which - space which –
(a) has suitable size and (a) has an area of at lea st 16m 2;
slope is to allow residents and
to ex tend their living
activities outdoors; and (b) has no dimension less than
4m; and
(b) is available for the sole
use of the resident s of (c) has access from a living area
individual dwellings; and and
(c) is adequately separated (d) has a slope of not more than

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MP 1.3 – DESIGN AND SITING STANDARD FOR DUPLEX HOUSING

PERFORMANCE ACCEPTABLE
CRITERIA SOLUTIONS

from each other to provide 1 in 10; and

visual privacy (e) provides visual privac y from
another outdoor living space
by a window/balcony screen

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Publication Date: 11 March 2010 Design and Siting Standard for Duplex Housing
ELEMENT 3 – DUPLEX REQUIREMENTS IN PLANNING SCHEMES

PERFORMANCE ACCEPTABLE
CRITERIA SOLUTIONS

P10 A duplex complies with the A10 A duplex complies with the
relevant qualitative statements relevant quantifiable standards of
of a planning scheme a planning scheme

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