DA and CDC Drafting in Sydney
Most Sydney home projects need either a development application (DA) to council or a complying development certificate (CDC). We work out which path fits your lot, then prepare the drawings for it.
DA or CDC: the difference
Development application (DA)
Lodged with your council and assessed on merit against its Local Environmental Plan and Development Control Plan. Neighbours may be notified. After consent you still need a construction certificate before building starts.
Complying development certificate (CDC)
A combined planning and construction approval for projects that meet every fixed standard in the state's codes. A council or a registered certifier can issue it.
How we pick the path
We start with your planning certificate and the lot itself: the zone, lot size and width, heritage, flood, bushfire and other mapping, easements and the slope. If the design can meet every CDC standard, a CDC is often the simpler route. If one standard doesn't fit, or the site is mapped, we design for a DA and draw it to your council's controls. Either way, we tell you why before we start.
What goes in the set
- Site plan, floor plans, elevations and sections
- Site analysis, shadow diagrams and a landscape plan where the council asks for them
- Demolition plan for knock-down rebuilds and alterations
- Area calculations and the coordinated BASIX certificate
- Stormwater, survey and engineering, coordinated with the consultants
- Notification plans for a DA
Turnaround
DA and CDC drawings can come back in as little as 24 hours. Standard turnaround is 48–72 hours from design confirmation. If we miss the agreed turnaround, that round is free. How long council or the certifier takes to decide is up to them, and we help answer any questions they send back. Our guide to council information requests explains how to avoid common delays.
Get started
Send us your address and what you'd like to do. We'll check the zone, the lot and your council's controls, and come back with the likely approval path and a fee proposal. Every project is quoted on its own. We reply the same business day.
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Common questions
Should I go DA or CDC for my Sydney home?
If your design meets every standard in the state's codes and the lot isn't affected by mapping such as heritage or flood, a CDC is often simpler. Otherwise, a DA to council is the path. We check your lot and recommend one before drawing.
Who issues a CDC?
Your council or a registered certifier. We prepare the drawings to the CDC standards and coordinate with your certifier.
Can you lodge the application for me?
We help with lodgement through the NSW Planning Portal and with answering any questions from council or the certifier.
Do you work with all Sydney councils?
Yes. We prepare drawings for homes in every Sydney council area, and read each council's controls for your lot.
What can you build on your block?
Send us the address and we’ll outline what your site can generally carry and the likely approval path. We reply the same business day.
Tell us about your project.
Send us your address and what you'd like to do. We'll check the zone, the lot and your council's controls, and come back with the likely approval path and a fee proposal. Every project is quoted on its own.
We reply the same business day.