St Ives Duplex Rules — SEPP vs Ku-ring-gai: Pick the Right Path

1. Local Controls

Key clauses from the State Environmental Planning Policy (SEPP) and Ku‑ring‑gai Council’s DCP that commonly affect duplex development in St Ives:

• Minimum lot width & area (15m frontage, 600m² site area)

• Front & side setbacks (6m front, 1.5m side)

• Landscaped/deep soil area requirements

• Height & roof forms (max 9m and two storeys)

• Required off‑street parking spaces

• Link to NSW Planning Portal and Ku‑ring‑gai Council LEP/DCP

2. Typical Block Profiles

St Ives features leafy streets and wide blocks. Here are some typical lot profiles we encounter:

Standard Wide Block

15–20m frontage with gentle slope—ideal for side‑by‑side duplexes.

Sloping Block

Requires split‑level design and careful driveway alignment.

Tree‑Lined Block

Consult an arborist to manage tree protection zones.

3. Local Project Example

We recently completed a duplex in St Ives where a 16m wide, 650m² block was subdivided into two Torrens title lots. The design uses contemporary gabled roofs and extensive glazing to maximise light. Key approval points included:

• Meeting the 60% landscape requirement by incorporating deep soil zones on both lots

• Respecting side setbacks to protect neighbouring privacy

• Providing two off‑street parking spaces per dwelling

4. Environmental Overlays

St Ives includes bushfire‑prone land and occasional flood planning areas. Check the overlays before lodging your application.

Bushfire overlay (BAL) map – ensure asset protection zones are maintained.

Heritage map – check council regulation accordingly.

5. Ready to Move from Idea to Action?

Address-level clarity in days—not months.

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