Choose Council as your Principal Certifier
A Development Consent (whether through a Development Application or Complying Development Certificate) does not authorise building work to occur until a Principal Certifier has been appointed for the development.
What is a Principal Certifier?
A Principal Certifier (PC) must be is appointed before any building work begins. The PC is responsible for:
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conducting critical stage inspections of the development
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ensuring compliance with the development consent
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investigating any non-compliances with the development
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issuing a Written Direction Notice within 2 business days of becoming aware of any non-compliance
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ensuring compliance with the Building Code of Australia
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assessing and issuing the Occupation Certificate
Council or a private Registered Certifier can be appointed as the PC for building work. NSW Fair Trading maintains a Public Register of Registered Certifiers that includes the contact information of all private Registered Certifiers.
To request Council to be appointed as your Principal Certifier, you must complete an application form.
Apply to appoint Council as your Principal Certifier
An application must be lodged on the NSW Planning Portal. Follow the NSW Government’s step-by-step user guide for lodging an application.