Terrace Design Services

Compliant, modern terraces approved faster under the Low Rise Housing Diversity Code.

Terrace housing is back — and smarter than ever.

With the NSW Low Rise Housing Diversity Code (LRHDC), developers and builders can now deliver terrace-style projects through CDC fast-track approval — no DA delays, no council uncertainty.

At Duplex Building Design, we specialise in designing and managing terrace developments that qualify under SEPP.
Our planners and designers know exactly how to structure, document, and deliver your terrace project for fast approval and maximum return.

What Are Terraces?

A terrace development is a series of three or more attached dwellings built side by side, each with its own entry, private open space, and street frontage or access to a public road.

Under the Low Rise Housing Diversity Code, terraces must:

Be on land zoned for low-density residential use (typically R1, R2, R3)
Comply with maximum height, setback, and site area controls
Provide individual access, private open space, and parking for each dwelling
Be approved via CDC (Complying Development Certificate) — no DA required

In short, terraces give you the yield of townhouses with the speed of CDC approval.

They’re the sweet spot between a duplex and a full multi-dwelling DA ideal for small to medium developers wanting strong returns without drawn-out council processes.

Why Terrace Design Matters

Here’s the thing… terraces look simple on paper, but the compliance layer is complex.

Your project must align with:

SEPP and the Low Rise Housing Diversity Code
Lot width, frontage, and access requirements
Minimum private open space and parking ratios
Height, setback, and stormwater controls
Fire and acoustic separation between attached dwellings

Miss any one of these, and your CDC certifier can’t sign off.

That’s why having an experienced design and planning team who know the LRHDC inside out makes all the difference.

We don’t guess compliance we design for it from day one.

How We Design Terraces That Get Approved Fast

We combine deep SEPP knowledge with practical design intelligence to deliver terraces that look great, perform well, and get approved faster.

Feasibility & Compliance Review

We assess your site’s zoning, width, slope, and access to confirm whether terrace housing is permissible under the Low Rise Housing Diversity Code.

Concept Design & Yield Optimisation

We design terrace layouts that maximise yield, natural light, privacy, and amenity while meeting every clause of the LRHDC.

CDC Documentation & Coordination

Our planners and designers prepare all required CDC documentation, including site plans, elevations, BASIX, stormwater, and fire separation details.

Certifier Engagement & Lodgement

We coordinate with private certifiers from the outset, ensuring your design meets their requirements and moves quickly through assessment.

Approval & Handover

We manage the full process to CDC approval, ensuring your terraces are ready for builder pricing or immediate construction.

The outcome: modern, compliant terrace housing approved in weeks, not months.

CDC-Only Approval Pathway

Terraces under the LRHDC are approved via CDC

That means:

Faster Approvals: Projects can be approved within weeks, not 6–12 months.
Predictable Outcomes: No subjective council design review.
Cost Efficiency: Lower holding costs, faster construction start.

Our team ensures your design meets every Code requirement so your certifier can issue the CDC with confidence the first time.

Recent Terrace Projects

See how our clients are using the CDC pathway to deliver high-yield, high-appeal terrace projects across NSW.

Who This Service Is For

It’s not for:

Terrace Typologies – 3–8 Attached Dwellings

3‑Unit

Entry terrace

4‑Unit

Mid-size row

6-Unit

Higher-yield terrace row

8-Unit

Larger continuous terrace of eight units

All dwellings are attached, forming one continuous terrace building.

Why Clients Choose Duplex Building Design

We know the Code. Our planners are experts in the SEPP Low Rise Housing Diversity Code.
We manage everything. Feasibility, design, CDC documentation, and certifier coordination all in-house.
We design for compliance and return. Every terrace layout balances yield, buildability, and buyer appeal.
We move fast. CDC-only approvals mean our process is streamlined end-to-end.
We deliver certainty. Clear design logic, zero council negotiation, faster builds.

That’s why developers across NSW trust Duplex Building Design for their terrace projects.

Our Proven Townhouse Design Process

Feasibility Consultation
We confirm Code eligibility and development potential.

Concept Design
We create terrace layouts optimised for your site, market, and construction method.

CDC Documentation
We prepare all required drawings and reports for certifier review.

Certifier Coordination & Lodgement
We engage and coordinate with your certifier for a smooth assessment.

Approval to Build
We secure your CDC approval and hand over documentation ready for builder pricing or construction.

The Benefits of Working with Duplex Building Design

Book Your Terrace Design Consultation

If you’re ready to develop terraces under the Low Rise Housing Diversity Code, our team will guide you through the entire process — from feasibility to full CDC approval.

Book your Terrace Design Consultation today.

Final Word

Terraces are the perfect balance of density, design, and speed when done right.

With Duplex Building Design, you’ll have a team that knows the Code, the process, and the market ensuring your project gets approved faster and performs better.

The outcome is simple:
Modern terraces, CDC-approved, built for profit.

Start your Terrace Design journey today with Duplex Building Design.

TESTIMONIALS

WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY

We found Nathan and the team at Duplex Building Design great in bringing all our ideas into the design of our home in a timely and professional manner. We found them to be ﬂexible in their approach and informative in relation to council building requirements as well as recommending products that suited our house plans and design. On the success of our house design we also used Duplex to design our small townhouse development and they were fantastic in all facets of the planning process

We used Nathan and his team at Duplex Building Design for our dual occupancy design at Oak Flats, we were very pleased with how professional Nathan was, he listened to our ideas and was able to gain approval in council with minimal fuss. The whole process was professional and smooth and will be coming back for our next investment project.

We were blown away by Nathan and the way he helped us with our renovation design and granny ﬂat on our property at Cronulla. We had a bad experience with the previous designer so came into this process nervous, Nathan was professional and easy to communicate with, he helped us through each stage of the process from the initial design through to the council approvals. Our project is approved and we are looking forward to starting. We can’t recommend Nathan and his staﬀ more highly enough.

This was the ﬁrst time we had plans drawn up and was not sure what to expect. Nathan was prompt and listened to what we wanted with our unit development and provided exactly what we asked for as well as two other options to show what could be achieved. We needed one small revision which was completed within 4 hours and we are extremely happy with the service. We will deﬁantly use Duplex Building Design again in the future.

FAQ

Can terraces be approved through DA?

What zoning allows terraces under CDC?

How long does CDC approval take?

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