It is your responsibility as the homeowner to determine if you need planning or other approvals for the work you want to do. So how do you find out if you need a Development Application?
There are several ways you can find out if you need a Development Application.
- By contacting your local council
(you can access the NSW Electronic Housing Code Online System, email, or phone 1300 305 695) - By contacting a builder to discuss your extension or
- By contacting a draftsman/architect to discuss your project.
The Planning and Environment Department of NSW Councils have worked hard to make the application process easier and to decrease the stress involved in getting building approvals. They have developed Exempt and Complying Developments to help this.
- Exempt Development
many types of small building projects that do not require planning approval. - Complying Development
many projects that can be quickly and easily approved through Council if they meet specific criteria.
What if your project IS NOT an Exempt or Complying Development?
You will need to submit a Development Application. How long it takes Council to assess your application depends on how difficult the build is. Some things delay approval and require further inspections, reports and permissions. Examples of these are
- Shadowing other properties
- Privacy of neighbouring properties
- Bushfire or flood prone areas
- Heritage conservation areas or in the vicinity of one
- Significant tree conservation areas
- Areas with no sewer connected etc.
Submitting a Development Application can be confusing and getting it wrong can lead to extra fees and time delays. I think the best approach is to enlist the services of a good draftsman to draw your plans and submit them to Council for approval.
