What is complying development? CDC versus DA in NSW
What is complying development? It's the tick-box approval path: if a proposal meets every standard in the relevant code, a council or registered certifier can issue a complying development certificate (CDC), instead of council assessing a development application (DA) on merit.
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Video transcript
What is complying development? And how does it differ from a development application?
A development application, or DA, goes to council for a merit assessment, and council grants or refuses consent. Complying development is the tick-box path. If a proposal meets every standard in the relevant code, a council or registered certifier can issue a complying development certificate, or CDC.
The catch: it's all or nothing. Miss one standard, even by a little, and the proposal usually needs a DA instead. The department has flagged reforms to allow some variations, but don't assume they apply until they commence.
The payoff is speed. The department reports that in 2024–25, low-rise housing CDCs took an average of 29 days, against 103 days for DAs.
For low-rise housing, the main code is the Low Rise Housing Diversity Code, covering dual occupancies, terraces and manor houses. But heritage items and heritage conservation areas can't use the low-rise housing codes.
For terraces, the code allows 9 metres in height, against 9.5 metres under the NSW Low and Mid-Rise Housing Policy, or LMR, and needs at least one car space per dwelling. So complying development trades some design flexibility for speed and predictability. A proposal that meets every standard may be carried out as complying development, subject to a s 10.7 planning certificate and registered certifier sign-off. Some NSW Planning guidance pages still say the council's LEP must permit it, so raise this with your registered certifier early.
Check your site with SN Architects, at snarchitects.com.au.
Key points
It's all or nothing: miss one standard, even by a little, and the proposal usually needs a DA instead.
The payoff is speed: NSW DPHI reports that in 2024–25, low-rise housing CDCs took an average of 29 days, against 103 days for DAs.
For low-rise housing, the main code is the Low Rise Housing Diversity Code (Codes SEPP Part 3B), which heritage items and heritage conservation areas can't use, and some of its standards are stricter than the NSW Low and Mid-Rise Housing Policy (LMR) DA standards.
A proposal that meets every standard may be carried out as complying development, subject to a s 10.7 planning certificate and registered certifier sign-off.
Some NSW Planning guidance pages still say the council's LEP must permit it, so raise this with your registered certifier early.
Check your site
Check your site with SN Architects
www.snarchitects.com.au | info@snarchitects.com.au
As at and sources
General information only, not planning advice. Current as at October 2026 (Housing SEPP 2021 and Codes SEPP 2008 as in force from 11 September 2026).
Sources: NSW Legislation, https://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au
Based on content from the New South Wales Legislation website at 8 October 2026. For the latest information on New South Wales Government legislation please go to https://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au.
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Disclaimer
This is general information only, not planning, legal or financial advice, and it is not an assessment of any particular property. Planning rules change and every site is different. Before relying on it, obtain a section 10.7 planning certificate for your property and advice from a qualified town planner or registered certifier. To the extent permitted by law, SN Architects accepts no liability for any loss arising from reliance on this information. Information current as at October 2026. © SN Architects 2026.
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