Lots of 400 square metres and over in the General Residential Zone and Neighbourhood Residential Zone must set aside a minimum garden area, calculated on the whole lot rather than per dwelling.

400 to 500 square metres requires 25%. Over 500 up to 650 square metres requires 30%. Over 650 square metres requires 35%.

Garden area is measured at ground level and excludes buildings, roofed areas, driveways and car parking, and it must have a minimum dimension of one metre.

The RGZ has no garden area requirement; the GRZ can vary it through a schedule to the zone, while the NRZ cannot.

Site coverage and permeability standards limit how much of the lot can be built on and hard-paved.

Each dwelling needs private open space, usually secluded private open space meeting a minimum area and dimension.

Street and side setbacks follow the Townhouse and Low-Rise Code; the street setback is generally 6 metres or the lesser of an adjoining building.

Tree canopy is now mandatory: 10% canopy cover for sites up to 1,000 square metres and 20% for larger sites.

Overlooking standards limit windows and balconies that see into a neighbour's secluded private open space; obscure glazing or screening is the common fix.

Overshadowing standards protect a neighbour's existing north-facing open space from losing sunlight, assessed on 22 September.

Each dwelling needs car parking to the scheme rate, with practical access and turning; tandem (front-to-back) layouts often hinge on the driveway design.

Resolving these early avoids redesigns that eat into your garden area and blow the feasibility.