Central Coast LEP 2022, RU5 Village
What can I build in the RU5 zone on the Central Coast?
RU5 Village covers the Central Coast's rural villages, where homes sit beside shops and local services. Type your address to see the zone and the maps that limit your block.
What housing is permitted in the RU5 zone?
| Can I build | In the RU5 zone |
|---|---|
| A house | Yes, with development consent |
| A granny flat (secondary dwelling) | Yes, with development consent |
| A duplex (dual occupancy) | No, prohibited in this zone |
| Townhouses or villas (multi dwelling housing) | No, prohibited in this zone |
| Apartments (residential flat building) | No, prohibited in this zone |
What you can build here
Permitted without consent
- Home occupations
Permitted with consent
- Dwelling houses
- Secondary dwellings
- Shop top housing
- Residential care facilities
- Neighbourhood shops
- Business premises
Permitted uses are based on the Central Coast LEP 2022. Other councils' LEPs differ.
What can I build on my block?
Type your address for its zone, height limit, lot size, flood and bushfire maps, all in one free report.
What is the RU5 zone for?
RU5 provides for the land uses, services and facilities that go with a rural village. Its objectives ask that development serve the needs of the local community without placing undue demand on existing infrastructure, and that it fits the desired future character of the area.
Can I build a house, duplex or granny flat in RU5?
A house and a granny flat yes, a duplex no. RU5 permits dwelling houses, secondary dwellings, shop top housing and residential care facilities with consent, along with tourist and visitor accommodation. Dual occupancies, townhouses, attached dwellings and apartments are not permitted. The table below shows the housing types for this zone.
Because RU5 is a rural zone, clause 5.5 sets the granny flat size: the greater of 60 square metres or 30% of the main house's floor area. On a village lot with an existing house, that is often the simplest way to add a second home.
What else limits what I can build in RU5?
Height, floor space ratio and minimum lot size vary lot by lot on the LEP maps, and the Site Checker reads them for your block. Many villages have older buildings, so check the heritage result as well.
If the lot is near a creek or river, check the flood mapping carefully, and check the bushfire mapping on the edges of the village.
What should I check before buying in an RU5 village?
Services. Find out whether the lot is on town sewer or will need an onsite wastewater system, and what that will cost, before you exchange. Then check the deposited plan and any covenants, the slope, and whether a sewer main crosses the lot if it is connected.
For the design guides see new homes, granny flats and additions, or book a free chat about your block.
Questions people ask
Can I build a duplex in the RU5 zone?
No. Dual occupancies are not listed as permitted in RU5 under the Central Coast LEP 2022, so they are prohibited. A house with a granny flat is how you get two homes on a village lot.
Can I build a granny flat in RU5?
Yes, secondary dwellings are permitted with consent. RU5 is a rural zone, so clause 5.5 limits the granny flat to the greater of 60 square metres or 30% of the floor area of the main house, not counting parking.
Can I build a shop with a flat above in RU5?
Shop top housing is permitted with consent in RU5, and so are shops, business premises and food and drink premises. The height and floor space ratio maps for your lot decide how big it can be.