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Tasmania 90sqm Secondary Dwelling Amendment Still Processing Mid-2026

Backyard secondary dwelling photo for an Australian guide

Tasmania’s draft SPP Amendment 01/2026 would raise secondary dwelling caps from 60 to 90 square metres, but the change is not law yet and builders should not assume the larger footprint is approvable in July 2026. For Tasmania 90sqm granny flat amendment, Updated 5 July 2026.

State Planning Tasmania says the project started February 2026 and should complete in the second half of 2026. Premier.tas.gov.au invited consultation on 10 June 2026 for larger, clearer granny flat rules.

Design to 60 square metres now unless you accept a discretionary planning pathway for bigger units.

What the amendment proposes

Increasing gross floor area to 90 square metres aims to match other states and improve liveability for ageing-in-place and small rentals. The amendment also clarifies what counts as a secondary residence on single-dwelling lots.

Minister for Housing and Planning Kerry Vincent said larger granny flats can boost housing supply without sprawling greenfield estates.

Why July orders are risky at 90 square metres

Alternative Housing Australia warned in revised July 2026 guidance that fixed dwellings above 60 square metres lack automatic exemptions until enactment. Owners can need full discretionary applications proving no overshadowing or bulk impacts.

Our Tasmania 90sqm rules guide recommends dual footprints: 60 square metre fallback and 90 square metre preferred once legal.

Permitted development pathways today

Where zones allow a primary dwelling, secondary dwellings can proceed without full planning approval when development standards are met and no extra codes trigger assessment. Building approval remains mandatory.

Check flood, heritage, and landslide codes on your title before ordering transportable modules.

Hobart and Launceston councils still apply local parking and private open space rules that the statewide 60 square metre cap does not override. A 60 square metre design that passes in a regional township can need a smaller footprint or extra landscaping in inner Hobart zones.

Builders quoting July 2026 prices should separate shell delivery from site works. Driveway upgrades, sewer connections, and Tasmanian wind bracing for transportable modules commonly add $30,000 to $50,000 beyond the advertised module price.

Until the 90 square metre amendment completes, designers can prepare dual drawings so you can pivot quickly once State Planning Tasmania publishes the final SPP text. That avoids paying for a full redesign if enactment lands in late 2026 as forecast.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 90 square metres legal for Tasmanian granny flats today?
Not yet. The 60 square metre cap remains until SPP Amendment 01/2026 completes.
When can the amendment take effect?

State Planning Tasmania expects completion in the second half of 2026, subject to consultation outcomes.

Can I start building 90 square metres now?

Only via discretionary planning approval accepting performance risk, not the fast-track NPR pathway.

Source: ABC News.

Primary sources

These cards are an editorial summary of official pages. The Granny Flat Guide is not a certifier, council or licensed builder. Check the live official URL before you lodge or sign.

  • Your Home (Australian Government)Your Home: Australia's guide to environmentally sustainable homesJurisdiction: Australia · Effective: Living resource (check current page) · Checked on: 2026-09-02 · Layer: editorial summary
  • Australian Building Codes BoardNational Construction CodeJurisdiction: Australia · Effective: NCC 2022 (confirm current edition) · Checked on: 2026-09-02 · Layer: building approval
  • Victorian Building AuthorityBuilding Act 1993 / small second dwelling settingsJurisdiction: Victoria · Effective: Confirm current VBA guidance · Checked on: 2026-09-02 · Layer: building approval
  • QBCC (Queensland)Queensland Building and Construction Commission licensingJurisdiction: Queensland · Effective: Confirm current QBCC page · Checked on: 2026-09-02 · Layer: building approval
See our editorial standards for how we research and update guides.
About The Granny Flat Guide

Independent Australian research on secondary dwellings and backyard housing. We publish cost guides, council rules and supplier reviews. We are not a builder. See our editorial standards.



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