Okay, here in NSW, we can get our developments through on SEPP5, maximum height of building is 3 metres.
Any bright sparks out there can figure out a way to have an eight metre high roofline, and three stories?
?perhaps an attic
Why not go down underground a bit?
‘Eat rich food, barbeque a yuppie’
It depends on whether the height is determined from natural ground level or from the street level I guess.
If the latter then, in the event of the land sloping down towards the back the portion of the building which is at the rear of the building can indeed be higher than the 3 metre level.
So to answer your question, look for land which slopes down towards the back and thence find a way to take care of the stormwater. [
]Pisces
Hi Wrappack,
Have you got a copy of the actual by-law or covenant that stipulates the 3m max height. If you have & if you would like to e-mail it to me I’ll have a look at it for you. (or post it on the forum) 3m max seems a bit odd to me – since the wall height of a two-story dwelling is usually 5m at a min (not including the roof) – unless the council / developers are restricting the development of the area to single story dwellings only, which is not usual.
Basically, what you can / can’t do will depend on the rest of the by-laws as well.
Your idea of an attic or loft is one. You also may be able to look at a flat roof design for the residence – you may ‘just’ be able to scrape in under 8m with min ceiling heights. (depending on the design)
Councils usually determine the height of the building from natural ground level and let’s say the block is 1m higher at the front than it is at the back, this won’t mean you can have a 1m higher roof line at the back, as the set height will be relevant to the natural ground.
Depending on the block going underground may be an option to, but then you have quite a bit of additional expense with earthworks, retaining, waterproofing & shoring (if this is an issue)
In my experience with town planning issues, (depending on the council) there is usually a bit of flexibility to vary development restrictions – however this may prolong the approvals process.
Cheers
KymHeres an interesting thing. We just found out that our council does not consider Lofts to be habitable spaces – just storage room.
This means we are able to squeeze a third bedroom into a plan where the council would only allow a two bedroom home. A big bedroom too!
Cheers
Simon Macks
Mortgage Broker
http://www.mortgagehunter.com.au
0425 228 985Comments may not be relevant to individual circumstances. If you intend making any investment, financial or taxation decision you should consult a professional adviser.
Simon – reminds me of friends who bought an advertised ‘5 bedroom’ house only to find it is technically a 3 bedroom house (with 2 bedrooms in a ‘loft’). I don’t think there were any other complications but our friends were very annoyed and at first wanted to sue the vendors or real estate agents for misleading advertising.
Shirley
>>This means we are able to squeeze a third bedroom into a plan where the council would only allow a two bedroom home. A big bedroom too!<<
Simon, you are obviously not aware that some councils have an inspection team who make inspection calls late at night to check the use of these type of rooms [
]Pisces
Not in this council they don’t. The council even told me that they don’t care what it is used for.
As it is for family use we are not too concerned.
Cheers,
Simon Macks
Mortgage Broker
http://www.mortgagehunter.com.au
0425 228 985Comments may not be relevant to individual circumstances. If you intend making any investment, financial or taxation decision you should consult a professional adviser.
Originally posted by Shirley:Simon – reminds me of friends who bought an advertised ‘5 bedroom’ house only to find it is technically a 3 bedroom house (with 2 bedrooms in a ‘loft’). I don’t think there were any other complications but our friends were very annoyed and at first wanted to sue the vendors or real estate agents for misleading advertising.
Shirley
A good reason to inspect properties personally before you sign the contract, don’t you think Shirley.
‘Eat rich food, barbeque a yuppie’
I too, have been considering the attic (or loft, for the yanks). Havent checked with council yet.
Theory- build the frame in metal, with triangles, instead of trusses. (trussed roofs cant be habitated in by humans). Even if council got narky, one could quite easily just say that we use steel so we dont get termites.
Then, after it is approved, add a staircase in to reach the “storage space” in the roof. Of course, if they will let me put a 3 way bathroom in all the better!
And as for shirleys friends’ comment “our friends were very annoyed and at first wanted to sue the vendors or real estate agents for misleading advertising”. I am shocked. REA mislead? Surely not! Next you will be trying to tell me that politicians are only self serving!
ps – I stuffed the original posting up. Maximum height is eight metres (from ground level), and I was after 3 stories. Sorry for the confusion!
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