Appoint the City as principal certifier and notify us of building works about to start
Building or subdivision work approved by the City of Sydney cannot start until a principal certifier has been appointed.
Project Status: When you need to do this
After a construction certificate or complying development certificate is issued a principal certifier must be appointed before work can start.
The City of Sydney or a private certifier can be appointed in this role.
The City of Sydney must be appointed as the principal certifier for subdivision works on land that will be dedicated to the City of Sydney in the future such as roadways, footpaths and drainage works.
What you need to do
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Complete an application on the NSW Planning Portal
To appoint the City of Sydney as principal certifier, complete an application online.
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Complete a contract for certification work
If you wish to appoint the City of Sydney as your principal certifier you must also include a contract for certification work with your application.
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Pay application fees
Once your application is complete and accepted for lodgement, our team will contact you for payment.
Your application won’t be lodged until the application fees have been paid.
To obtain a fee quote please contact us on 02 9265 9333 or review our schedule of fees and charges.
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Assessment
Once lodged, your application will be allocated to a registered certifier. The certifier will contact you if any further information is required.
After you finish
Acceptance of appointment as principal certifier
The acceptance of the appointment will be issued on the NSW Planning Portal, including any supporting documentation.
Mandatory inspections
A principal certifier inspects a development at certain stages to ensure the works are consistent with the development consent and the National Construction Code.
Applicants are notified in writing at the construction certificate or complying development certificate approval stage about the inspections that must be undertaken.
It’s important to make sure the appointed builder or contractors are aware of the critical stage inspections that are required to ensure they are not missed, which could delay the building project, or prevent an occupation certificate being issued.
Critical stage mandatory inspections include:
- building inspection before a construction certificate or complying development certificate is issued
- foundation after excavation and before footings are placed
- steel reinforcement in footings/slabs
- framework
- wet area waterproofing (bathrooms and laundries)
- stormwater drainage connection
- swimming pool barrier fencing
- fire-protecting construction in buildings where people sleep, including sole-occupancy units in residential-type
- buildings and health care/aged care buildings.
- completed works (final inspection) to verify that the building is suitable for occupation.
Residential development will generally require 4 to 5 inspections.
For larger buildings where people sleep, the number of inspections will vary depending on the size and complexity of the building.
Works such as fit-outs affecting commercial or retail buildings will, in most cases, only require 2 inspections. Mandatory inspections must be carried out before an occupation certificate can be issued.
If an inspection is missed
If a critical stage inspection is missed, the certifier is required under law to prepare a report and determine whether works can continue.
You must notify us immediately if an inspection is missed.
