diff --git a/common/advanced_config.cpp b/common/advanced_config.cpp
index 73ce3eb808..38b7973907 100644
--- a/common/advanced_config.cpp
+++ b/common/advanced_config.cpp
@@ -262,7 +262,7 @@ ADVANCED_CFG::ADVANCED_CFG()
     m_CompactSave               = false;
     m_UpdateUIEventInterval     = 0;
     m_ShowRepairSchematic       = false;
-    m_EnablePcbDesignBlocks     = false;
+    m_EnablePcbDesignBlocks     = true;
     m_EnableGenerators          = false;
     m_EnableLibWithText         = false;
     m_EnableLibDir              = false;
diff --git a/pcbnew/tools/multichannel_tool.cpp b/pcbnew/tools/multichannel_tool.cpp
index ff03835205..fc615199e7 100644
--- a/pcbnew/tools/multichannel_tool.cpp
+++ b/pcbnew/tools/multichannel_tool.cpp
@@ -711,9 +711,14 @@ int MULTICHANNEL_TOOL::findRoutingInRuleArea( RULE_AREA* aRuleArea, std::set<BOA
     // rather than querying the board for items that are inside the area.
     if( aRuleArea->m_sourceType == PLACEMENT_SOURCE_T::DESIGN_BLOCK )
     {
-        // Get all board connected items that are from the design bloc
+        // Get all board connected items that are from the design block, except pads,
+        // which shouldn't be copied
         for( EDA_ITEM* item : aRuleArea->m_designBlockItems )
         {
+            // Include any connected items except pads.
+            if( item->Type() == PCB_PAD_T )
+                continue;
+
             if( BOARD_CONNECTED_ITEM* bci = dynamic_cast<BOARD_CONNECTED_ITEM*>( item ) )
                 aOutput.insert( bci );
         }
@@ -819,10 +824,29 @@ bool MULTICHANNEL_TOOL::copyRuleAreaContents( RULE_AREA* aRefArea, RULE_AREA* aT
 
     auto connectivity = board()->GetConnectivity();
 
-    aCommit->Modify( aTargetArea->m_zone );
+    // Only stage changes for a target Rule Area zone if it actually belongs to the board.
+    // In some workflows (e.g. ApplyDesignBlockLayout), the target area is a temporary zone
+    // and is not added to the BOARD.
+    bool targetZoneOnBoard = false;
 
-    aCompatData.m_affectedItems.insert( aTargetArea->m_zone );
-    aCompatData.m_groupableItems.insert( aTargetArea->m_zone );
+    if( aTargetArea->m_zone )
+    {
+        for( ZONE* z : board()->Zones() )
+        {
+            if( z == aTargetArea->m_zone )
+            {
+                targetZoneOnBoard = true;
+                break;
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    if( targetZoneOnBoard )
+    {
+        aCommit->Modify( aTargetArea->m_zone );
+        aCompatData.m_affectedItems.insert( aTargetArea->m_zone );
+        aCompatData.m_groupableItems.insert( aTargetArea->m_zone );
+    }
 
     if( aOpts.m_copyRouting )
     {
@@ -849,6 +873,9 @@ bool MULTICHANNEL_TOOL::copyRuleAreaContents( RULE_AREA* aRefArea, RULE_AREA* aT
 
         for( BOARD_CONNECTED_ITEM* item : targetRouting )
         {
+            // Never remove pads as part of routing copy.
+            if( item->Type() == PCB_PAD_T )
+                continue;
             if( item->IsLocked() && !aOpts.m_includeLockedItems )
                 continue;
             if( aOpts.m_connectedRoutingOnly && !targc.contains( item->GetNetCode() ) )
@@ -866,6 +893,9 @@ bool MULTICHANNEL_TOOL::copyRuleAreaContents( RULE_AREA* aRefArea, RULE_AREA* aT
 
         for( BOARD_CONNECTED_ITEM* item : refRouting )
         {
+            // Never copy pads as part of routing copy.
+            if( item->Type() == PCB_PAD_T )
+                continue;
             if( item->IsLocked() && !aOpts.m_includeLockedItems )
                 continue;
             if( aOpts.m_connectedRoutingOnly && !refc.contains( item->GetNetCode() ) )
diff --git a/pcbnew/tools/pcb_control.cpp b/pcbnew/tools/pcb_control.cpp
index d72e4ee9f1..7423a45d3f 100644
--- a/pcbnew/tools/pcb_control.cpp
+++ b/pcbnew/tools/pcb_control.cpp
@@ -1477,7 +1477,6 @@ int PCB_CONTROL::ApplyDesignBlockLayout( const TOOL_EVENT& aEvent )
         dbRA.m_zone->SetHatchStyle( ZONE_BORDER_DISPLAY_STYLE::NO_HATCH );
         dbRA.m_zone->AddPolygon( generateBoundingBox( dbRA.m_designBlockItems ) );
         dbRA.m_center = dbRA.m_zone->Outline()->COutline( 0 ).Centre();
-        tempCommit.Add( dbRA.m_zone );
 
         // Create the destination rule area for the group
         RULE_AREA destRA;
@@ -1520,7 +1519,6 @@ int PCB_CONTROL::ApplyDesignBlockLayout( const TOOL_EVENT& aEvent )
         destRA.m_zone->SetHatchStyle( ZONE_BORDER_DISPLAY_STYLE::NO_HATCH );
         destRA.m_zone->AddPolygon( generateBoundingBox( group->GetItems() ) );
         destRA.m_center = destRA.m_zone->Outline()->COutline( 0 ).Centre();
-        tempCommit.Add( dbRA.m_zone );
 
         // Use the multichannel tool to repeat the layout
         MULTICHANNEL_TOOL* mct = m_toolMgr->GetTool<MULTICHANNEL_TOOL>();