Dual occupancy rules in Tasmania (2026)
Usually yes, with a planning permit. The Tasmanian Planning Scheme allows multiple dwellings in the General Residential Zone, and the acceptable solution is 325 m² of site area per dwelling - so a lot of about 650 m² or more will normally support two dwellings.
Allowed in the General Residential Zone with a planning permit
Usually yes, with a planning permit. The Tasmanian Planning Scheme allows multiple dwellings in the General Residential Zone, and the acceptable solution is 325 m² of site area per dwelling - so a lot of about 650 m² or more will normally support two dwellings.
Key rules at a glance
| Site area per dwelling | 325 m² per dwelling as the acceptable solution in the General Residential Zone - about 650 m² for two dwellings (indicative - a lesser area can still be approved under the performance criteria). |
| Zones permitted | Multiple dwellings are allowed in the General Residential and Inner Residential zones. The Low Density Residential and Rural Living zones apply much larger site areas per dwelling. |
| Approval pathway | Planning permit required. Permitted with no notification if all acceptable solutions are met; discretionary with 14 days notification if any performance criterion is relied on. |
| If your lot is under 325 m² per dwelling | Still possible under the performance criteria - you must show the development will not exceed infrastructure capacity, and either that it is compatible with surrounding density or that it delivers a significant social or community benefit within 400 m walk of services. |
| Can it be subdivided or strata titled? | Yes. Subdivision and strata titling are separate applications - a subdivision permit under the planning scheme, then a plan of subdivision for freehold lots or a strata plan under the Strata Titles Act. |
| Typical timeframe | About 42 days for a permitted application; commonly 3-4 months for a discretionary application once the notification period and any representations are allowed for. |
Conditions & eligibility
- The land must be in a zone where multiple dwellings are allowed - most commonly the General Residential Zone.
- Site area per dwelling, setbacks, building envelope, site coverage and private open space standards must be met.
- Each dwelling needs its own private open space and parking under the Parking and Sustainable Transport Code.
- Codes for bushfire prone areas, flood, landslip and historic heritage apply on top of the zone standards.
- Reticulated water and sewer are generally expected in the General Residential Zone.
- Subdivision into separate titles is a separate permit and is not automatic.
Heritage, flood and bushfire controls on your specific lot can remove the fast-track and require a full application — even when the general rules say you're fine.
How approval works in Tasmania
A planning permit from your council is always required. If the proposal meets every acceptable solution in the zone and the applicable codes it is a permitted application - the council must approve it and it is not advertised. If it relies on a performance criterion instead, it becomes discretionary, is advertised for 14 days, and neighbours can make representations and appeal to the Tribunal.
All Tasmanian councils use the same State Planning Provisions, but each Local Provisions Schedule adds local overlays and specific area plans that can change what is achievable on a given site.
Dual occupancy rules by council in Tasmania
Local councils apply the Tasmania framework and can add their own controls. Pick your council:
Frequently asked questions
What size block do I need for two units in Tasmania?
In the General Residential Zone the acceptable solution is 325 m² of site area per dwelling, so about 650 m² for two. A smaller lot is not automatically ruled out - the performance criteria allow a lesser site area where infrastructure can cope and either the density suits the surrounding area or the project delivers a significant social benefit close to services.
Can two units in Tasmania be sold separately?
Yes. You can either subdivide into two freehold lots or register a strata plan so each unit has its own title. Either way it is a separate application from the permit to build the dwellings, and the resulting lots or units must satisfy the scheme's subdivision standards - which can be the binding constraint on a tight site.
Do I need a planning permit for multiple dwellings in Tasmania?
Yes, always. What changes is the pathway: if the proposal meets every acceptable solution it is a permitted application that the council must approve without advertising it, while relying on any performance criterion makes it discretionary, advertised for 14 days, and open to representations and appeals.
Sources
- Tasmanian Planning Scheme - Residential Zone fact sheet (August 2025) ↗
- Housing - Planning in Tasmania ↗
- Tasmanian planning schemes - PlanBuild Tasmania ↗
Related building rules
This is general guidance, not professional planning advice. Figures are summarised from the sources above and can change — confirm with your council or the Planning in Tasmania before starting work. Last reviewed: July 2026.
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