--- title: "Granny Flat Setback Rules In NSW : Backyard Grannys" description: Brush up on granny flat setback rules in NSW before you start building with expert advice from the team at Backyard Grannys. image: https://blog.backyardgrannys.com.au/hubfs/BYG2025/Resources/Granny%20flat%20setback%20rules%20in%20Newcastle%20and%20the%20Central%20Coast/byg_ls_rearboundary_august2014.jpg --- Menu [Floor plans](https://www.backyardgrannys.com.au/granny-flat-designs) [Featured builds](https://www.backyardgrannys.com.au/granny-flats-portfolio) [How it works](https://www.backyardgrannys.com.au/how-it-works) [Price guide](https://www.backyardgrannys.com.au/pages/price-guide) [Investor guide](https://www.backyardgrannys.com.au/investors-information) [Contact](https://www.backyardgrannys.com.au/contact) [About us](https://www.backyardgrannys.com.au/about-us) [Showroom locations](https://www.backyardgrannys.com.au/locations) [Meet our team](https://www.backyardgrannys.com.au/our-team) [Awards](https://www.backyardgrannys.com.au/awards) [Resources](https://blog.backyardgrannys.com.au/resources) [FAQs](https://www.backyardgrannys.com.au/faq) # Granny flat setback rules in Newcastle & the Central Coast Brush up on granny flat setback rules in NSW before you start building with expert advice from the team at Backyard Grannys. ![Backyard Grannys](https://blog.backyardgrannys.com.au/hubfs/BYG2025/Resources/General/byg_logo_240x240.png) Backyard Grannys 15 Sep 2014 · [Case studies](https://blog.backyardgrannys.com.au/resources/tag/case-studies) Share to [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://blog.backyardgrannys.com.au/resources/interesting-info-3-zero-rear-boundary-setbacks-to-laneways-now-allowed-for-granny-flats-in-newcastle-and-the-central-coast) · [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https://blog.backyardgrannys.com.au/resources/interesting-info-3-zero-rear-boundary-setbacks-to-laneways-now-allowed-for-granny-flats-in-newcastle-and-the-central-coast) · [X](https://x.com/intent/tweet?url=https://blog.backyardgrannys.com.au/resources/interesting-info-3-zero-rear-boundary-setbacks-to-laneways-now-allowed-for-granny-flats-in-newcastle-and-the-central-coast&text=Granny%20Flat%20Setback%20Rules%20In%20NSW) · [Pinterest](https://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://blog.backyardgrannys.com.au/resources/interesting-info-3-zero-rear-boundary-setbacks-to-laneways-now-allowed-for-granny-flats-in-newcastle-and-the-central-coast&media=&description=Granny%20Flat%20Setback%20Rules%20In%20NSW) ![byg\_ls\_rearboundary\_august2014](https://blog.backyardgrannys.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/BYG2025/Resources/Granny%20flat%20setback%20rules%20in%20Newcastle%20and%20the%20Central%20Coast/byg_ls_rearboundary_august2014.jpg?width=2000&height=1010&name=byg_ls_rearboundary_august2014.jpg) ## Guide to granny flat setback rules in NSW We’re here to help with some clear and concise information on the relevant regulations. Read on to learn more about granny flat setback rules before you begin your build! [Get a free quote](https://blog.backyardgrannys.com.au/resources/interesting-info-3-zero-rear-boundary-setbacks-to-laneways-now-allowed-for-granny-flats-in-newcastle-and-the-central-coast#PageForm) ## First, how is a setback calculated? A setback is measured at the nearest point to the boundary from the building line (you can exclude the eaves of the building here if they remain less than 450mm from the boundary!). If you have a corner lot, then you’ll need to identify the primary road before calculating the setbacks for rear and side boundaries. This is the road facing the front of your principal dwelling. ## Granny flat setbacks to rear and side boundaries If your lot is less than 900 square metres, then your granny flat will need to be at least three metres from the rear boundary of the area and 0.9 metres from the side boundaries. That said, if the height of  your granny flat exceeds 3.8 metres, then the setback must increase relative to both the building height of the building and lot size. This applies to all granny flat builds. When it comes to properties that are larger than 900 square metres, your build must be at least five metres from the back of the lot and 1.5 metres from the sides. You’ll also have to make sure that the front setbacks are the average distance of the setbacks of the nearest two dwellings. There is a minimum 1.8 metres needed between the granny flat and the original house, too (otherwise a fire-rated wall is needed). Check out our table below to find out the NSW council requirements for lots over 900m2: | **Lot Size (sqm)** | Minimum frontage (lineal meters) | **Min Side Setback Height \<=3.8m** | **Min Rear Setback Height \<=3.8m** | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 450-900 | 12m | 0.9m | 3m | | 900-1500 | 15m | 1.5m | 5m | | 1500+ | 18m | 2.5m | 10m | Note that there are exceptions for attached granny flats and builds adjoining to laneways. Speaking of lane boundaries… ## Granny flat setbacks to lane boundaries If you have a property that abuts a rear lane then we have great news for you! You are allowed to build a granny flat on your property with a zero setback to the lane (boundary). Plus, you can do this without council approval! Like any granny flat setback rules (and just rules in general!), there are always conditions. In this case, all granny flat’s approved using the NSW State Environment Planning Policies (SEPP) – without council approval – must not be more than half the width of the property. The SEPP specifically states “a dwelling on a lot that has a rear boundary with a lane-way may have a building line that abuts that boundary for up to 50 per cent of the length of that boundary”. So if your property is 16m wide, you can have a granny flat approved that’s 8m wide and built without any setback. This is a major advantage for blocks with rear lanes as opposed to standard blocks that require a minimum 3m setback. It means owners can maximise their land by creating more open space and privacy between the existing residence and granny flat. ## Start planning your granny flat build today Backyard Grannys has built many granny flats on rear lanes throughout [Newcastle](https://www.backyardgrannys.com.au/locations/newcastle/), [the Hunter Valley](https://www.backyardgrannys.com.au/locations/hunter-valley/) and [Central Coast](https://www.backyardgrannys.com.au/locations/central-coast/), in suburbs such as Stockton, Adamstown, North Lambton, Weston and Woy Woy. So if you have a property that backs onto a laneway, [contact us](https://www.backyardgrannys.com.au/contact/) and we’ll show you how to build a granny flat that will make the most of your block while sticking to granny flat setback rules. Alternatively, learn more about [granny flat approvals](https://www.backyardgrannys.com.au/news/the-ultimate-guide-to-granny-flat-approvals/) first! --- ## Got a question for us? Don't hesitate to get in touch. --- ## Related resources [See all resources](https://blog.backyardgrannys.com.au/resources) ![Celebrating 15 Years of Backyard Grannys | 1,500+ Granny Flat Projects](https://blog.backyardgrannys.com.au/hubfs/1-2.png) ### [Celebrating 15 Years of Backyard Grannys | 1,500+ Granny Flat Projects](https://google.com) Backyard Grannys celebrates 15 years in business and more than 1,500 granny flat projects across Newcastle, the Hunter, Central Coast and Port Stephens. 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[General tips](https://blog.backyardgrannys.com.au/resources/tag/general-tips) [Read more](https://blog.backyardgrannys.com.au/resources/keeping-family-close-building-a-granny-flat-for-ageing-parents-1) ![Backyard Grannys named finalist in three categories at the 2025 HIA Hunter Region Awards](https://blog.backyardgrannys.com.au/hubfs/20250625_BCI_43JarretStKillabenBay(BackyardGrannys)-21.jpg) ### [Backyard Grannys named finalist in three categories at the 2025 HIA Hunter Region Awards](https://google.com) Backyard Grannys’ Kilaben Bay project has been named a finalist in three categories at the 2025 HIA Hunter Region Awards, recognising innovation, affordability and design excellence in this bespoke luxury bushland granny flat. [Media](https://blog.backyardgrannys.com.au/resources/tag/media) [Read more](https://blog.backyardgrannys.com.au/resources/backyard-grannys-named-finalist-in-three-categories-at-the-2025-hia-hunter-region-awards) ![How to earn rental income from a granny flat in NSW](https://blog.backyardgrannys.com.au/hubfs/10South%20copy.jpg) ### [How to earn rental income from a granny flat in NSW](https://google.com) If you’re thinking about renting out your granny flat in NSW, here’s a clear, step-by-step guide to help you get started. [Investment](https://blog.backyardgrannys.com.au/resources/tag/investment) [Read more](https://blog.backyardgrannys.com.au/resources/how-to-earn-rental-income-from-a-granny-flat-in-nsw) ## Get in touch [2/2 Statham Street Bennetts Green NSW 2290](https://maps.app.goo.gl/yWwnF6JKNvFZ56qj9) [(02) 4947 2800](tel:0249472800) [Floor plans](https://www.backyardgrannys.com.au/granny-flat-designs) [Featured builds](https://www.backyardgrannys.com.au/granny-flats-portfolio) [How it works](https://www.backyardgrannys.com.au/how-it-works) [Price guide](https://www.backyardgrannys.com.au/pages/price-guide) [Investor guide](https://www.backyardgrannys.com.au/investors-information) [Contact](https://www.backyardgrannys.com.au/contact) [About us](https://www.backyardgrannys.com.au/about-us) [Showroom locations](https://www.backyardgrannys.com.au/locations) [Meet our team](https://www.backyardgrannys.com.au/our-team) [Awards](https://www.backyardgrannys.com.au/awards) [Resources](https://blog.backyardgrannys.com.au/resources) [FAQs](https://www.backyardgrannys.com.au/faq) [Our locations](https://blog.backyardgrannys.com.au/locations) Follow our socials [facebook](https://www.facebook.com/Backyard-Grannys-464560823635233/) [instagram](https://blog.backyardgrannys.com.au/resources/www.instagram.com/backyardgrannys/) [youtube](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClt2fYl3o7764Nv6Z7bD40Q/) [linkedin](https://www.linkedin.com/company/backyard-grannys) [pinterest](https://www.pinterest.com.au/backyardgrannys/) Acknowledgement of Country © 2026 Backyard Grannys · [Terms & conditions](https://blog.backyardgrannys.com.au/terms) · Site by [Headjam](https://headjam.com.au) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Backyard Grannys", "url" : "https://blog.backyardgrannys.com.au/resources/author/backyard-grannys" }, "dateModified" : "2025-05-06T04:46:37.308Z", "datePublished" : "2014-09-15T00:00:00.000Z", "headline" : "Granny Flat Setback Rules In NSW", "image" : [ "https://blog.backyardgrannys.com.au/hubfs/BYG2025/Resources/Granny%20flat%20setback%20rules%20in%20Newcastle%20and%20the%20Central%20Coast/byg_ls_rearboundary_august2014.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.backyardgrannys.com.au/resources/interesting-info-3-zero-rear-boundary-setbacks-to-laneways-now-allowed-for-granny-flats-in-newcastle-and-the-central-coast", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://blog.backyardgrannys.com.au/hubfs/BYG-logo-2025-main.png" }, "name" : "Backyard Grannys" } } ```