Development applications

How to prepare your development application

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

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

When you lodge a development application, giving us all the correct information at the start helps us process it sooner. If your plans, reports and other documents are complete, we can begin straight away.

Missing or incorrect information is the main reason applications are delayed. Even small issues – such as unclear plans or an old survey – can slow things down and lead to extra back and forth. Taking a bit more time to prepare your application can prevent delays later.

We aim to assess applications on time, but we can only do this when they’re ‘assessment ready’ from day one. A complete application helps keep the process moving for you and the community.

If you’re not sure what you need to include, see our checklists, guidelines and pre-lodgement advice above, which are here to help. Preparing well at the start is the quickest way to achieve a timely decision on your application.

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

Other considerations

Two people talking with paperwork at a deskDevelopment applications
Person on scaffolding with crane overheadConstruction permits & approvals
Aerial view of a street with a building covered in scaffolding and construction works in progress.Building certification
A man in a blue jacket and jeans stands on a city pavement in front of a large mural of red and white tree branches printed onto a construction hoarding.Construction-related temporary structure approvals
Man up a tree, cutting branches with chainsawProperty & tree maintenance
A view of a street at night, trees to the right, grass strip in front, pedestrian crossing in the distance and buildings.Public domain works