If you have a general planning enquiry, please complete and submit the below form. A Planning Advisor will contact you within ten (10) working days to discuss your planning/development proposal. Council provides this service free of charge.
In NSW, the majority of planning and development applications may fall into the following categories:
- Exempt Development
- Complying Development
- Development Application
When completing the below form, it is important you provide detailed information and any supporting documents, as this enables our Planning Advisors the opportunity to research your proposed works and determine the best approach for you. Please include as much of the following types of information when submitting your form:
- Any available plans, drawings, measurements, shadow diagrams or any other material that outlines your intended works.
- Any photos of the site, property frontage, neighbour views, affected fences or boundaries, driveway and parking access etc. Photos provide the Planning Advisor with a good overview of the site and areas that may be affected by the intended work.
- If you are acting on behalf of a company, we will ask for your ABN.
Please keep in mind that without the ability to conduct a full assessment, Council will only provide limited and general advice about planning controls, application requirements, fees, and minor developments. Our staff will endeavour to provide you with accurate information based on the information you provide, we are not in a position to consider all factors that may affect your development at the initial enquiry stage.
Your Properties Zoning and other Controls
To assist you with gathering more information about your property, please visit the NSW Planning Portal spatial viewer. This website will assist you in determining the properties zoning, along with other controls that may apply such as heritage and height restrictions.
Exempt and Complying Developments
The State Environmental Planning Policy (SEPP) 2008 outlines works that may be exempt from approval or may be completed under the complying development process. Exempt developments must meet development standards and includes minor works such as conditioning units, aerials and antennas, access ramps, aviaries, balconies, decks, pergolas, barbeques, bollards, cubby houses, cabanas, clothes hoists, retaining walls, driveways, and fences.
See SEPP 2008 for a full list of exempt and complying developments.
Your guide to the DA Process
Building a new house or renovating your property is always exciting. The Development Application (DA) process can sometimes be confusing and overwhelming. The NSW Government has developed videos, guides and documents to make the pathway to completing your project faster and easier.
Your guide to the DA process | Planning (nsw.gov.au)
Getting started | Planning (nsw.gov.au)
If you require information about North Sydney and its Planning controls, you may find the following links useful:
North Sydney Local Environmental Plan 2013 (NSLEP)
Strategic Planning at North Sydney Council
Overview of Compliance
Overview of the DA Process
