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Six landed-property planning terms to understand

A current primer on plot ratio, GFA, setbacks, envelopes, boundaries and reserves.

Published 30 June 2021

Updated September 2026. Definitions and controls vary by site. Obtain current written advice from the relevant agencies and qualified professionals.

Six landed-property terms

  1. Plot ratio: the planning control used to relate permissible floor area to site area.
  2. Gross floor area: measured under the prevailing planning definition and exclusions.
  3. Building setback: the required separation from boundaries or roads.
  4. Building envelope: the height and massing space within which a proposal must fit.
  5. Land lot and boundary: the legal surveyed parcel, not a fence or visual assumption.
  6. Road and drainage reserve: land or control lines that may affect redevelopment.

URA, BCA, SLA, PUB, LTA and conservation requirements may all matter. Engage a registered surveyor, architect and other qualified professionals before relying on a redevelopment calculation.