Tasmania Clarifies No Extra Parking for Secondary Residences
Tasmania’s Draft Planning Scheme Amendment 01-2026 includes a practical clarification for property owners: no additional car parking space is required when building a secondary residence (granny flat) on the same lot.
What the Clarification Covers
The amendment explicitly states that secondary residences are exempt from parking mandates. This removes uncertainty for families building granny flats on suburban blocks where adding a second parking space would be impractical or costly.
The clarification brings Tasmania in line with NSW and Victoria, where secondary dwellings typically don’t trigger extra parking requirements.
Confirm setbacks, fees and supplier inclusions with your council or certifier before you sign. SEPP, CDC and DA pathways differ by state, lot size and overlays such as heritage or flood. Use our planning tools for ballpark figures, then verify with a private certifier or council planner when your design is settled.
Why This Matters for Tasmanian Homeowners
Many residential blocks in Tasmania have limited driveway or garage space. Without the parking exemption, councils could require homeowners to create an additional off-street space before approving a granny flat, which adds cost and complexity.
The Housing Industry Association (HIA) welcomed the clarification in its 22 July 2026 submission, noting it removes a common barrier for families pursuing multi-generational living arrangements.
Practical Benefits
- Lower development cost: No need to build extra driveways, carports, or garage extensions.
- Preserves garden space: Homeowners can use outdoor areas for the granny flat itself rather than paving for parking.
- Faster approvals: Councils don’t need to assess parking compliance as a separate condition.
State Comparisons: How Other States Handle Parking
| State | Parking Requirement for Granny Flats |
|---|---|
| NSW | No additional parking required under CDC pathway (SEPP 2008) |
| Victoria | Varies by zone; often waived for secondary dwellings under 60sqm |
| Tasmania | Proposed: no additional parking (draft amendment pending approval) |
| Queensland | Depends on local planning scheme; some councils require one space |
Confirm setbacks, fees and supplier inclusions with your council or certifier before you sign. SEPP, CDC and DA pathways differ by state, lot size and overlays such as heritage or flood. Use our planning tools for ballpark figures, then verify with a private certifier or council planner when your design is settled.
Not Yet Approved
The parking clarification is part of the draft planning scheme amendment. It is not law until the amendment is approved by the Tasmanian Planning Commission and gazetted.
Homeowners should confirm current parking requirements with their local council before submitting development applications. The draft amendment is open for public consultation, with a final decision expected later in 2026.
Confirm setbacks, fees and supplier inclusions with your council or certifier before you sign. SEPP, CDC and DA pathways differ by state, lot size and overlays such as heritage or flood. Use our planning tools for ballpark figures, then verify with a private certifier or council planner when your design is settled.
Context: Secondary Residences in Tasmania
Tasmania’s planning scheme allows secondary residences (granny flats) as-of-right in most residential zones, subject to design standards. The current floor area cap is 60 square metres, though the draft amendment proposes raising it to 90 square metres.
The planning framework requires secondary residences to meet building code standards, bushfire safety rules, and local design overlays. Parking has been a grey area, with some councils applying discretionary requirements. The proposed clarification removes that uncertainty.
Confirm setbacks, fees and supplier inclusions with your council or certifier before you sign. SEPP, CDC and DA pathways differ by state, lot size and overlays such as heritage or flood. Use our planning tools for ballpark figures, then verify with a private certifier or council planner when your design is settled.
HIA’s Position
In its submission, the HIA supported the parking exemption but called for further amendments to site coverage rules. The association argued that lifting the floor area cap to 90sqm without adjusting coverage limits could still restrict builds on smaller blocks.
HIA recommended Tasmania adopt coverage ratios similar to NSW and Victoria to ensure the larger floor area allowance is practical for typical suburban lots.
Confirm setbacks, fees and supplier inclusions with your council or certifier before you sign. SEPP, CDC and DA pathways differ by state, lot size and overlays such as heritage or flood. Use our planning tools for ballpark figures, then verify with a private certifier or council planner when your design is settled.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to provide parking for a granny flat in Tasmania?
Under the proposed amendment, no. The draft clarifies that secondary residences are exempt from parking requirements. This is not yet law; check with your council for current rules.
When does the parking clarification take effect?
The draft amendment must be approved by the Tasmanian Planning Commission and gazetted before it becomes binding. The timeline for final approval has not been announced.
Does this apply to granny flats on separate titles?
No. The parking exemption applies to secondary residences on the same lot as the primary dwelling. Subdivided lots or separate titles may have different parking requirements under council planning schemes.
What if my council previously required parking?
Once the amendment is gazetted, the state planning scheme will override prior council-specific parking conditions for secondary residences. Existing approved developments are unaffected.
Primary sources
The Granny Flat Guide cross-checks regulation and cost summaries against official Australian references. Verify current rules with these sources before you lodge an application or sign a contract.
