Did you know that there are some works you can carry out around your home or work place without applying for approval? This is known as "exempt development" or development without approval.
This type of development must be done in accordance with the development standards. These are listed under each of the links. If you cannot satisfy all of these standards it is no longer exempt development and you may need to apply for development consent through your local council.
In addition to the develoment standards there are also a list of General Exclusions which may apply to your property. Please look over these exclusions and discuss them with your local council prior to carrying out any works.
Please be aware that this website does not replace the State Environmental Planning Policy (Exempt and Complying Development Codes) 2008 (the Codes SEPP) and should be read in conjunction with the Codes SEPP.
Internal Renovations
External Renovations
- Access ramps
- Aerials and antennae
- Air-conditioning units - residential (see below for non-residential air-conditioning units)
- Awnings, blinds and canopies
- Balconies, decks, patios, pergolas, terraces and verandahs
- Barbecues and other outdoor cooking structures
- Clothes hoists and clothes lines
- Communications dishes (radio and satellite)
- Driveways
- Earthworks and retaining walls
- Fences and gates behind the building line (non-rural)
- Fences and gates in front of the building line (non-rural)
- Fences and gates (rural)
- Flagpoles
- Fuel tanks and gas storage (above ground)
- Hard stand space for parking motor vehicles
- Hot water systems
- Landscaping structures
- Letterboxes
- Maintenance of buildings in draft heritage conservation areas
- Minor external building alterations
- Pathways and paving
- Playground equipment
- Portable swimming pools and spas and child-resistant barriers
- Privacy screens
- Rainwater tanks (above ground)
- Rainwater tanks (below ground)
- Screen enclosures of balconies, decks, patios, pergolas, terraces and verandahs
- Shade structures of canvas, fabric, mesh or the like
- Skylights, roof windows and ventilators
- Solar hot water systems/solar energy systems
- Tennis courts
- Water features and ponds
Minor Development Around the Home
Other
Definitions
The following are links to helpful definitions