NEW NATIONAL HOUSING

STANDARDS FOR HIGH, MEDIUM

AND LOW DENSITY RESIDENTIAL

AREAS
0 BACKGROUND
This circular supersedes Circular Number 3 of 1992 issued by the then ministry of Public Construction
and National Housing

It is complementary to the Ministry’s efforts to promote the current National Housing Delivery Program
as it provides for requirements al the

following components: -

1. Planning (i.e. stand sizes, Building lines, road widths and other layout

Design elements);

2. House Construction/Superstructure (i.e. standards or building materials,

Building plans, plinth area and related issues); and

3. Infrastructure (I.e., Standards on water supply, Sewerage and road

construction).

These set min and maximum standards for each of the said components are designed to reduce costs and
promote affordability as well as maximize on limited and scarce resources.

Government shall not approve housing layout plans and proposed development schemes other
than those that comply with the standards set out in this circular All role players shall therefore ensure
that their schemes comply with the provisions of this circular.

The new housing standards shall be as follows:

1 PLANNING
1.1 Stand Sizes
1.1.1 Low Cost/High Density Housing

Stand sizes for low cost/high density housing shag range between 70m2 and 200m2 compared to the
previous 150m2 to 300m2

Within this range, stand sizes ranging between 70m2 and 90m2 ne shall be used for semidetached and
terraced housing only, while those ranging between 90m2 and 200m2 shall cater for detached housing. The
minimum stand frontage for all high density stands shall be 7 meters (7m).
Provision of land for low cost walk up flats is desirable, but shall generally depend on the nature and level
of funding for social housing and private investment initiatives in a given area,

1.1.2 Middle income/Median Density housing

Stand sizes in this category shall range between 300m2 and 500m2. For this housing category, the old
standards have been maintained.

Development on each of these stands shall constitute a single family dwelling only. No Outbuildings shall
be permitted on the stands

In all municipal areas, except where a waiver has been granted by the Director of Physical planning,
land shall be reserved for flat development and this shall be subject to the following Minimum
Percentages

I. 10% for medium and high rise flats in residential estates close to town centers

ii. 5% for garden and four story flats in all other medium cost residential areas.

1.1.3 Low Density /High Cost Housing

Stand sizes in this category shall range between 800 m2 and 2000 m2. The larger of these stands shall be
reserved for areas with on-site sewage treatment. This shall apply to new schemes; infill stands shall
maintain the general character of the neighborhood surrounding them. The maximum stand size is to
encourage densification and reduce premature urban sprawl

In all municipal areas, except where a waiver has been granted by the Director of Physical Planning, a
minimum of 5% of land set aside for residential use, shall be provided, for garden and duplex flats.

1.1.4 Peri-Urban Residential Plots"

Peri-urban residential plots ranging between 1 and 2 hectares shall ordinarily be sited outside obtaining
town boundaries, they shall not form part or the urban low density hierarchy except where they are
already in existence.

1.2 Building Lines

1.2.1 High Density Housing

Except where otherwise justified and approved by The Director of Planning, the minimum building lines
for high density stands

shall be; -

(a) 1m from the side boundary.

(b) 3m from the front boundary

(c) 2m from the rear boundary.

1.2.2 Medium Density housing

The minimum building lines for medium density housing shall be 5m from the front boundary, 2m from
the side boundary and 3m from the rear boundary.

1.2.3 Low Density housing

The minimum building lines for low-density housing shall be 5m from the front boundary and 3m from
all other boundaries

1.3 Road Widths and Access

District Distributors (main internal traffic rotes/bus row) and Primary Distributors (Major regional
through roads) shall rave between 20- 25m and 25- 30m respectively for all residential areas depending
on the anticipated traffic volumes.

1.3.1 High Density/Low Cost Housing

All stands shall have direct road access. Access roads shall be 8m and local distributors shall be 10m and
12m depending on the functions of the relevant road.

1.3.2 Medium Density/Middle Income Housing

Access roads shall be 10m and local distributors shall range between 12m arid 15rn.
1.3.3 Low Density Housing

Access roads shall be 12m and local distributors shall be 15m