Applications and certificates below must be submitted through the NSW Planning Portal
- Development Applications
- Modification Applications
- Complying Development Certificates
- Construction Certificates
- Occupation Certificates
- Subdivision Certificates
- Section 68 Application (Local Government Approvals)
- Notice to Commence
- Building Information Certificates
Exempt Development
Many home renovations and minor building projects don't need approval from Council or an accredited certifier. This is classed as Exempt Development. As long as the development meets specific standards and land requirements, no planning or building approval is needed.
The standards you must comply with for most Exempt Development works are in the State Policy for Exempt and Complying Development. The Policy can be viewed on the NSW Legislation Website. Visit the NSW Planning Portal website for more information.
Applications need to lodged via the NSW Planning Portal.
Complying Development
Complying Development is a fast-track approval process for straightforward residential, commercial and industrial development. A Complying Development approval is the equivalent of a Development Application and Construction Certificate. They can be approved by Council or a private certifier. To find out if your building project or renovation is Complying Development visit the Department of Planning website or contact us.
- Download the checklist for a complying development application(PDF, 494KB)
- Download the application to withdraw/surrender an application(PDF, 187KB)
A Development Application is a proposed development that requires Council consent. If your proposal is not Exempt Development and you cannot meet the requirements in Complying Development, you will most likely need to complete a development application. It includes local development, integrated development and designated development.
Pre-lodgement Information
We recommend that you use the documents below to help you complete your application.
Development Application Checklists
- Download the checklist for alterations and additions(PDF, 204KB)
- Download the checklist for commercial works(PDF, 213KB)
- Download the checklist for a dwelling that is sewered(PDF, 245KB)
- Download the checklist for a dwelling that is unsewered(PDF, 203KB)
- Download the checklist for a manufactured dwelling(PDF, 147KB)
- Download the checklist for sheds and other non habitable structures(PDF, 187KB)
Lodging your Development Application
A Development Application form and Statement of Environmental Effects must be completed and submitted as part of your lodgement. The following documents may also need to be submitted with your application.
- Download the political donations and gifts disclosure statement(PDF, 33KB)
- Download the application for a water meter(PDF, 1MB)
- Download the owners authorisation for applications(PDF, 249KB)
- Download the application to Review a Determination(PDF, 103KB)
- Download the Statement of Environmental Effects - Residential(PDF, 376KB)
- Download the Statement of Environmental Effects - Commercial premises and signage(PDF, 340KB)
- Download the Statement of Environmental Effects - Medium and High Density Residential Development(PDF, 433KB)
- Download the Statement of Environmental Effects - Industrial Development(PDF, 333KB)
- Download the application to vary the Development Control Plan(PDF, 215KB)
- Download the Bushfire Application Kit for New Homes
- Download the application to withdraw/surrender an application(PDF, 187KB)
- Submit development application online (all development applications must be submitted via the NSW Planning Portal)
- View our accredited landscape consultants and contractors here.
- Download the landscape contractor application form(PDF, 262KB)
Commencing Your Build
Once your development application has been determined and you have applied for and been issued a construction certificate, you will need to submit a Notice to Commence form (if Council is your principal certifying authority) and other relevant documentation below.
- Download the notice to commence where appointing QPRC as the principle certifying authority(PDF, 194KB)
- Download the notice of work for plumbing and drainage
An activity approval requires the consent of Council if it is not Exempt Development, Complying Development or a Development Application. Some common activities include water, sewer and stormwater works, fireplaces and manufactured homes. For a complete list of activities, please refer to Section 68 of the Local Government Act 1993. If you wish to carry out an activity, please submit via the NSW Planning Portal.
- Download the Guidelines - Fireplace(PDF, 133KB)
- Download the Guidelines - Manufactured Homes(PDF, 54KB)
- Download the Guidelines - Water, Sewerage and Stormwater works(PDF, 19KB)
- Download the application to withdraw/surrender an application(PDF, 187KB)
If you operate a food business and wish to have outdoor dining you can apply online via Service NSW. Outdoor dining permits are free of charge and apply to Council owned land such as public footpaths.
Applications for outdoor dining can be processed through the Service NSW portal. Apply online through Service NSW
Any development that includes building a structure will also require a construction certificate. A construction certificate must be obtained before commencing any building and construction work. If you undertake the development application process, you may need this. The certificate confirms that the structural aspects of your development comply with the National Construction Code and associated standards. This can also be issued either by Council or a private certifier. You must have approval from Council before applying for this, or you can submit a development application and construction certificate at the same time. Applications for construction certificates need to be made online via the NSW Planning Portal.
- Download the application to withdraw/surrender an application(PDF, 187KB)
The subdivision of land means the division of land into two or more parts that, after the division, would be adapted for separate occupation, use or disposition. Some subdivision proposals require a development application. Once this has been determined, you are generally required to apply for a subdivision certificate. Once issued, this allows you to register the new subdivision with land and property information. The following forms must be submitted via the NSW Planning Portal with your lodgement:
- Download the water and sewer compliance certificate application form(PDF, 207KB)
- Download the checklist for subdivisions(PDF, 116KB)
- Complete the rural address number application form
- Download the application for a statement of water pressure(PDF, 230KB)
- Download the application to withdraw/surrender an application(PDF, 187KB)
A number of engineering requirements can be necessary when you are undergoing the approval process. This can be relevant to new subdivisions, dwellings and flats, units and townhouses. To ensure you have satisfied engineering standards please contact us on 1300 735 025 and speak to a Development Engineer about your proposal. The following forms may need to be submitted with your lodgement.
- Download the application for individual water metering (for existing multi-unit or strata developments)(PDF, 223KB)
- Download the application for a water meter(PDF, 1MB)
- Download the application for a water or sewer connection(PDF, 243KB)
- Download the application for a statement of water pressure(PDF, 230KB)
- Download the application for driveway construction(PDF, 227KB)
- Download the list of approved urban driveway contractors(PDF, 15KB)
- Download the list of approved rural entrance contractors(PDF, 11KB)
- Download the driveway contractor application form and information sheet(PDF, 484KB)
- Download the S138 application or traffic management plan lodgement(PDF, 226KB) (used to apply for approval to undertake an activity in a public road reserve, and/or to lodge a Traffic Management Plan)
- Download the Activity Approval Application for Development Engineering/Public Infrastructure Works (only)(PDF, 171KB)
- Download the application for a Bond Reimbursement(PDF, 180KB)
- Download the EFT advice form(PDF, 76KB)
- Download the rural entrance construction information sheet and application form for civil contractors(PDF, 190KB)
- Download the application for rural entrance(PDF, 321KB)