Drafting Services Sydney: Learning 'setbacks'

Most of us would have heard of the word "setbacks" when we approach residential renovations and residential extensions. 'Setback' is one of the critical components when home building designers must deal with when they produce a set of architectural plans. 

Why are setback important? What types of setback do we have? Is there any negotiation power with setback regulations?

Setback

First, we need to definite what is a 'setback'. Setback is a distance from a curb, property line, or structure within which building is prohibited.

Whether you decided to go with a Development Application at the local council, or approaching a complying development certificate with a private certified authority, setback plays a part.

Local governments create setbacks through ordinances and building codes, usually for reasons of public policys such as safety, privacy, and environmental protection. 

Most importantly, setbacks helps preventing land-owners from crowding the property of others, allow for the safe placement of pipelines, and other times, to help to preserve wetlands. 

Setbacks form boundaries by establishing an exact distance from a fixed point, usually from the property lot boundary to the wall of the proposed structure. For instance, many local councils in Sydney suggested a 900mm wide side setback.

How many setbacks does the NSW encounter?

Generally, there are 3 types of setbacks that needed to be applied in NSW properties, Front setback, side setbacks and rear setbacks.

Each council may vary its setback, based on the population, the size of each land, the crowdiness of the suburbs/areas. 

It is always advised to check with a residential drating design consultant before you proceed with a DA/CDC. Violating setback provisions can lead to legal action against a property owner, and impose a high chance of DA knock-back.

Can we negotiate with the setback distance?

Depending on which direction you choose to go with, some local councils may be flexible for adjustments if you can justify the reason for not obeying the setback regulations. Unless otherwise, generally there is no room for negotiation.