Deemed to Comply Checks for Single Houses
What is a deemed-to-comply check?
The construction of a new single house, or extensions and/or renovations to an existing house may be exempt from requiring development approval if they meet the ‘deemed-to-comply’ criteria of Volume 1 of the Residential Design Codes or any local planning policy that amends or replaces these criteria.
Note: On Friday 1 September 2023 amendments to Volume 1 of the Residential Design Codes come into effect. Further information is available here.
The deemed-to-comply check allows applicants who are intending on either building a new single house or extending and/or altering an existing single house to seek advice from the City as to whether a development approval is needed for what they are proposing.
The intent of this check is to provide applicants with confidence that their proposal can proceed straight to building permit.
This is a voluntary process that only applies to single houses and extensions or renovations to existing single houses.
How can I apply for a deemed-to-comply check and what do I submit?
An application for a deemed-to-comply check must be made to the City.
The fee for a deemed-to-comply check is $295.00.
The following relevant documentation must be submitted with the application:
- Site Plan (to a scale of no less than 1:200) showing lot dimensions, all existing and proposed structures, existing and proposed ground levels, any structures proposed to be removed, existing and proposed pedestrian and vehicle access, car parking spaces including layout and dimensions, any proposed open space and landscaping.
- Floor Plans (to a scale of no less than 1:100) of buildings proposed to be erected or altered, and any buildings proposed to be retained, complete with setbacks to all lot boundaries.
- Elevation Plans (to a scale of no less than 1:100) of buildings proposed to be erected or altered, and any buildings proposed to be retained, complete with existing and proposed ground levels and wall and roof height dimensions taken from natural ground level.
Applications that do not include the above documentation cannot be accepted. Depending on the proposal, you may be asked to provide further information before an application is accepted and lodged.
You can lodge your application via the online lodgement. The application is not accepted until payment has been received.
How long will my application take to be assessed?
The City has 14 days from receipt of payment to undertake and provide a response.
What happens next?
If the advice states that your proposal is deemed-to-comply, you may lodge an application for a building permit.
If your proposal does not comply you may:
- Apply for a development approval
- Amend your plans to address the areas of non-compliance and submit another application for a Deemed-to-Comply Check
- Amend your plans to address the areas of non-compliance and apply for a building permit. Please note that if you choose this option, an area of non-compliance that was not addressed fully may be identified through the building permit process and you may be requested to apply for development approval.