PROPERTY DEVELOPERS – MULTI-DWELLINGS (homeowners▷)

Complying development architectural services

When no council approval is needed

Your smaller project may not need council approval if it falls under ‘complying development‘ Low Rise Medium Density Housing Code State Government legislation.

For these projects, we work with you to prepare your designs to see if they may meet complying development criteria and prepare them for an approved certifier. Once they are signed off by the certifier they can be fast-tracked through the approval process without requiring council approval which significantly reduces costs and time.

Your low rise housing complying development project:

• must be in R1, R2, R3 and RU5 zones where it is already permitted under the council’s Local Environmental Plan (LEP).
• have a proposal that meets development standards in the Code and the Design Criteria in the supporting Low Rise Medium Density Design Guide for complying development.

Note, there are some Councils which have been given an extension of time before the Code can be used in their area. Check with the Planning & Environment – NSW Government for details.

This may apply to your project if you require a small development such as:

• one storey dual occupancies
• two storey dual occupancies
• manor houses
• townhouses

Benefits of a complying development design:

• faster because of reduced time through council
• significant cost reduction
• ability to move forward with confidence

Relevant codes/documents:

• Low Rise Medium Density Housing Code
• State Environmental Planning Policy (Exempt and Complying Development Codes) 2008 (Codes SEPP)