If you’re considering adding a studio to your Canberra property, there are a few key things to understand before you get started—especially when it comes to zoning, approval requirements, and how a studio differs from a secondary dwelling.
Studios offer a great option for anyone wanting extra space for short-term guest stays, a home office, hobby room, or teenage retreat—without the additional planning complexity that often comes with a habitable second dwelling.
What Is a Studio?
A studio is a non-habitable building, meaning it’s not approved for permanent living. Unlike a secondary residence (granny flat), studios in the ACT can’t include full kitchen or laundry facilities. However, they can have a bathroom (toilet, shower, vanity) and a wet bar with a sink and as much bench space as you like. That means a studio can be extremely functional while remaining compliant with local zoning laws.
Many Canberra homeowners use studios for:
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Short-stay guest accommodation
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Detached home offices
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Creative spaces or music rooms
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Teen retreats or gym spaces
Size and Layout Flexibility
Studios can be up to 90m² in size and may include multiple rooms, such as a bedroom, living area, study, and bathroom. The layout can be customised to suit your needs—whether you want a peaceful workspace or a private guest area that still feels connected to the home.
Studios vs Secondary Dwellings
One of the most important distinctions is zoning. In the ACT, studios are typically approved under Class 10a of the National Construction Code. This classification covers non-habitable buildings like sheds, garages, and garden studios. Because of their classification, studios generally fall outside the definition of a “dwelling”—which under local rules is any building with:
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A kitchen
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A bath or shower
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A toilet
As long as your studio includes only a bathroom and wet bar, it won’t be considered a dwelling, and that often means simpler approvals and fewer zoning restrictions.
Key Compliance Criteria
Although studios are often exempt from requiring a Development Application (DA), there are still specific criteria they need to meet to qualify for that exemption. In the ACT, this is governed by legislation such as the Planning and Development Regulation 2008, particularly Schedule 1, which outlines what can be built without a DA.
Common requirements include:
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Setback rules: Structures generally need to be set back 15 metres from the front boundary.
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Height limits: The height must not exceed 3m along a boundary, and 4m overall.
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Boundary wall size: If the structure is within 1.5m of a side or rear boundary, the total wall length facing that boundary is typically limited to 30m² (e.g. 3m high x 10m long).
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Maximum size: In many suburban areas, a Class 10a structure is limited to 50m², depending on block size and location.
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No building over easements: The structure must not interfere with utility access. If access needs to be maintained (e.g., for stormwater), you may be required to include service-accessible features like a rear roller door.
These regulations help ensure your new space fits comfortably within your property and doesn’t negatively impact neighbours or services.
What If You Don’t Meet the Standard Criteria?
In some cases, if your preferred design doesn’t meet all the exemption rules, you may still have a path forward. Other planning codes—such as the Single Dwelling Housing Code—can sometimes be used to gain approval, depending on your site and project type.
However, if your studio is designed to function more like a full-time living space with all the features of a dwelling (including kitchen and laundry), it will be considered a secondary residence and will require a full development application. That’s a more detailed process, but it can be done—it just comes with more steps and typically a longer approval timeline.
Why Choose a Studio?
If you’re looking to create a high-functioning space on your block for temporary use—and want to avoid the complexity of building a dwelling—a studio may be the perfect fit. With the ability to include a bathroom and wet bar, you can enjoy comfort and privacy for guests, or a productive and quiet space to work or create.
At Acrow Granny Flats & Home Extensions, we help clients across Canberra design and build custom studios that meet both their lifestyle needs and compliance requirements. We’re across local regulations and can walk you through what’s possible on your block.