There are development thresholds for when a proponent will need to consider the design guides and provide a response.

There will be some instances where some proposals will require them to look at 2 or all 3 guides together.

The triggers for when the Urban Design Guide is used if one of the below criteria is met:

  • it is precinct scale with a site area greater than one hectare;
  • the combined development gross floor area exceeds 10,000m2;
  • comprises more than 1,000m² of public or common space; or
  • required to seek advice from the National Capital Design Review Panel.

Describes the realm of the Urban of the Urban Design Guide which includes suburb, precinct, and section.

The trigger for when the Housing Design Guide is used if the below criteria is met:

  • all residential developments, excluding single dwelling housing, secondary residences (like granny flats and small additional homes in a backyard) and extensions or alterations to multi-unit housing (of no more than 50% increase in floor area).

Describes the realm of the housing design guide which includes: block and building.

The triggers for when the Biodiversity Sensitive Urban Design Guide is used if one of the below criteria is met:

  • the development is a Future Urban Area
  • the development is in non-urban zones (NUZ1-5)
  • the development is in an Urban Open Space zone (PRZ1)
  • has an area greater than one hectare in any zone.

The Biodiversity Sensitive Urban Design Guide does not apply to single dwelling housing or secondary residences. It also does not apply on developments where the increase in impermeable surfaces is 500m2 or less.

Describes the realm of the biodiversity sensitive urban design guide which includes: districts, suburb, precinct, section, and block.

You can find more information on when to use a design guide in Part A of the Territory Plan.