Prior to commencing most types of developments in NSW, you will have to lodge a Development Application (DA) with your local council.
The DA approval/building approval process in NSW can be summarised in the following steps, with minor variances between each local government area. We will cover R1 residential zoning nsw and the new zoning codes as well.
Exemptions and complying developments do not need to lodge a DA to construct. A few examples of exempt developments include decks, garden sheds, carports and fences. Complying development is a combined planning and construction approval for straightforward developments. These developments apply to homes, business and industry and can be determined by a fast-track assessment by a council or private certifier.
Generally, all works covered by State Environmental Planning Policy (SEPP) (Exempt and Complying Development Codes) 2008 do not need a DA in order to construct. These are usually lower scale developments like sheds or carports. Always check with your local council to confirm an exemption or complying development.
Before drafting plans for your proposal, you will need to investigate the following:
All of these investigation areas could potentially impact on your design proposal. In order to determine the requirements for your development, it is important to consider the following documents:
At this stage the most important tool at your disposal is to contact your local council and make full use of their development advisory services.
After all the necessary planning and organisation has been completed, it becomes time to prepare your proposal for lodgement. It is important at this step to ensure that all required documentation is completed and compliant in order to get your DA approved as smoothly as possible.
Most local councils have a DA Lodgement Checklist that you can follow to ensure that all relevant documentation is present prior to lodgement.
Once all necessary architectural plans, reports and certificates are prepared, your proposal is ready for lodgement.
The lodgement process itself involved completing the council-specific DA forms; which differ based on the type of proposal.
Once the application form has been completed and the appropriate fess have been paid, it is then up for council assessment.
Once the DA is lodged with council, it will take anywhere between 21-90 days for a decision to be made, depending on the council. NSW Government estimates that 90% of housing approvals are determined within 40 days of lodgement. This time can be extended by the following:
One of three decisions can be made on your proposal once council had reached a conclusion
Once the proposal is approved, a Construction Certificate (CC) will be issued by either your local council or a private certifier prior to any construction taking place.
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