A Complying Development Certificate (CDC) is a combined planning and construction approval for certain developments that meet all specific development standards for the category of complying development. These applications are determined by Council or an accredited certifier through a fast-track assessment process.
CDCs are available for a range of development types including:
- single and double-storey buildings
- secondary dwellings
- renovations to an existing house
- swimming pools
- retaining walls
- fences
- demolition of a structure/building
- advertising signage
- fit-out of commercial building
If your application does not satisfy all the requirements for approval as a CDC, you will need to either alter your proposal to comply with the criteria, or submit a Development Application and Construction Certificate.
Most categories of ‘complying development’ are defined in:
- Part 3 – Housing Code
- Part 3A – Rural Housing Code
- Part 3B – Low Rise Housing Diversity Code
- Part 3C – Greenfield Housing Code
- Part 4 – Housing Alterations Code
- Part 4A – General Development Code
- Part 5 – Commercial and Industrial Alterations Code
- Part 5A – Commercial and Industrial (New Buildings and Additions) Code
- Part 5B – Container Recycling Facilities Code
- Part 6 – Subdivisions Code
- Part 7 – Demolition Code
- Part 8 – Fire Safety Code
of State Environment Planning Policy (Exempt and Complying Development Codes) 2008 (known as the ‘Codes SEPP’), while additional categories may be defined in various other State Environmental Planning Policies (SEPPs) and Schedule 3 of the Richmond Valley LEP 2012
Further information
Further information on complying development is available from the NSW Department of Planning, Industry & Environment via the NSW Planning Portal
All development applications are submitted via NSW Planning Portal, for assistance refer to Lodging an application or certificate electronically – Richmond Valley Council (nsw.gov.au).
Visit NSW Planning’s Spatial viewer to check the zoning of your property or whether it is a heritage item or located in a heritage conservation area.