Development applications

How to prepare your development application

Getting your preparation right means you’re likely to have a smooth approval process.

Project Status: When you need to do this

You may need development consent to make changes to your home or business site in the City of Sydney’s area. 

Development may include:

Certain work may not require a development application:

  • Some minor development, called exempt development, doesn’t require our consent. Exempt development may include external painting, minor internal works, some fencing and air-conditioning units.
  • Certain types of development may be approved through another process. These fall under complying development and may include minor internal alterations to non-heritage items, outbuildings and internal office fitouts.
  • Consent is generally required for development to be carried out on heritage items or within heritage conservation areas.

 

What you need to do

  1. Confirm the consent authority

    The state government and the City of Sydney approve development in our area.

  1. Review planning controls

    Your development will need to align with the site’s characteristics and the planning controls that apply to it.

  1. Ask for advice from the City of Sydney

    Our help with the development application process includes general planning advice, pre-lodgement advice for large or more complex developments, and guidance around our digital and physical model requirements.

  1. Check our application requirements

    Review what supporting documents must accompany your application, how to prepare digital files, scale models and the need for gifts and donation disclosure.

    To prepare your application, you may also need to enlist a specialist such as an architect, engineer or land surveyor.

  1. Make your application

    Applications are made through the NSW Planning Portal.

Before you start

The NSW Planning Portal has a helpful guide to the development application process.

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