Council Approval for a New Single Dwelling House
A dwelling house is the most common residential land use in NSW and is generally permitted with consent in the standard residential zones, unless your council's LEP specifically prohibits it on that land. The pathway that applies depends on the design, not the land use itself. A compliant design on a standard lot can often be certified as complying development. A design that varies a height, setback or floor space control, or land that carries heritage, bushfire or flood constraints, needs a development application instead.
Free consultation
- 1-2 weeks for a pathway assessment; 3-16 weeks to approval depending on route
- From $2,200 + GST depending on pathway and site constraints
- Quoted fixed after a free scope check
The question that actually matters
Most people ask "can I build a house here" when the more useful question is "which approval pathway applies to this design, on this land." A dwelling house is broadly a supported use across the standard residential zones. What varies enormously is whether your specific proposal can be certified quickly or needs a full merit assessment.
Two pathways, one decision point
A new dwelling that fits within the numeric and locational criteria of the applicable codes can be certified as complying development - a certifier check rather than a council merit assessment, and materially faster. A dwelling that pushes past any one of those criteria, or sits on land with heritage, bushfire or flood overlays, needs a development application assessed on its merits against the LEP and DCP.
What a knockdown-rebuild adds
If there is an existing dwelling to remove, demolition typically needs its own approval or notification step. We coordinate this alongside the approval for the new dwelling so the two run on one programme rather than as separate, sequential problems.
How it works
Site and constraint check
2-3 business days
Zone, LEP controls, and whether heritage, bushfire, flood or other overlays apply to the land.
Pathway assessment
3-5 business days
Whether the proposed design (or a design we help you adjust) can be certified as complying development, or needs a DA.
Documentation
2-6 weeks depending on route
Plans, BASIX, and supporting reports matched to the pathway that applies.
Lodgement and determination
3-16 weeks depending on pathway
We lodge and manage the certifier or council process through to approval.
What we take off your hands
What EHUP handles
- Working out whether your design qualifies for complying development or needs a DA
- Checking the zone, LEP controls and any overlays before you commit to a design
- Coordinating architects, surveyors and certifiers around a single approval strategy
- Preparing and lodging the development application where one is required
- Managing council requests for information through to determination
- BASIX and NatHERS coordination for the new dwelling
What you don't have to deal with
- Paying for a full house design before anyone has checked what the site actually allows
- Finding out about a heritage, bushfire or flood constraint after plans are drawn
Frequently asked questions
Is a new house always allowed on residential land in Sydney?
In the standard residential zones, a dwelling house is generally a permitted use with consent, but "permitted" is not the same as "approved on any design." Whether your specific proposal is straightforward or complicated depends on lot size, existing controls, and any overlays affecting that address.
What is the difference between this page and your CDC fast-track page?
This page covers the full picture - working out which pathway applies to your situation in the first place. Our complying development page assumes you already know you want the fast track and explains that process in detail. If you are not sure which one you need yet, start here.
Can a knockdown-rebuild use the fast complying development pathway?
Often, yes - a new dwelling on a cleared lot is assessed the same way as a new dwelling on a vacant lot. The demolition itself typically needs its own approval or notification step, which we fold into the same programme.
What usually forces a full DA instead of complying development?
Most commonly a design that varies a height, setback, floor space or landscaped area control, or land affected by heritage listing, bushfire-prone mapping, or flood planning. None of these make a new house impossible - they just change the assessment pathway and the timeframe.
Related services
CDC - House & Granny Flat
A new single dwelling house on a standard lot, or a secondary dwelling - a granny flat - can frequently be approved as complying development rather than through a full Development Application, provided the lot and the design satisfy every criterion in the Codes SEPP in full: minimum lot size, maximum floor area, height, setbacks and landscaped area among them.
Development Application (DA)
A Development Application is the merit-assessed approval pathway.
Complying Development (CDC)
A Complying Development Certificate is the fast-track approval pathway.
Why clients choose EHUP
- 10+
- 250+
- 14
- 1
Not sure which approval you need?
Tell us the address and what you want to do. We'll help identify the appropriate planning pathway, whether it is exempt development, complying development or a full DA. Your first conversation is free.