DA vs CDC drawings: what your Sydney home design needs
The approval pathway decides what your designer has to draw and when. Here is how DA and CDC drawings differ.
Two pathways, two sets of drawings
A development application (DA) is assessed on its merits by the council. A complying development certificate (CDC) is issued by a council or accredited certifier when the design meets set standards in the Codes SEPP. See the NSW approval pathways explained.
What a DA set usually includes
- Site plan, floor plans, elevations and sections.
- A statement addressing the council's local environmental plan (LEP) and development control plan (DCP).
- A BASIX certificate for a new home or a qualifying alteration. See BASIX explained.
- Other reports the site needs, such as a bushfire assessment (BAL) where the land is bushfire prone.
What a CDC set needs
A CDC set shows the same drawings, but the design has to meet every numerical standard in the Codes SEPP. NSW Planning says an approval can be issued within 20 days if the proposal complies. If it does not meet the standards, the whole development must go through the DA process.
Why the pathway matters at design stage
A designer who knows the standards can often shape a home to fit the complying route, or tell you early that a DA is needed. That is why site review and feasibility come before concept design. See the custom home design process in Sydney.
Who prepares the drawings
A building designer prepares the council drawings and the construction set. Building design in Sydney includes DA and CDC drawings, checked against council requirements.
Common questions
Do I need different drawings for a CDC and a DA?
The drawings are similar, but a CDC design must meet every standard in the Codes SEPP, while a DA is assessed on its merits against the council's LEP and DCP.
What is a BAL assessment?
A bushfire attack level assessment, required where land is bushfire prone. It sets construction requirements for the home.
Can a design be changed to fit the CDC pathway?
Often yes. A designer who knows the Codes SEPP standards can shape the design to comply, or advise that a DA is needed.
General information only. Confirm required documents with your council or certifier.