Can I Submit a DA Without Plans?

One of the first questions many clients ask is whether they can submit a development application without full architectural plans.

In NSW, the short answer is no.

Council requires detailed, scaled plans with every DA submission to properly assess the design, impact and compliance of your proposal. These must be prepared before lodgement, and they are one of the most critical parts of the application.

To get DA approval, you’ll need a full set of site and building plans, including floor plans, elevations, sections and a site analysis.

These must align with local Development Control Plans (DCPs) and other NSW planning rules. If your drawings are missing or incomplete, the council will likely reject or delay the application.

This is why working with a town planner NSW based can help you prepare a compliant and complete submission from the outset.

In a recent case in Penrith, a client wanted to lodge a council submission for secondary dwelling NSW before finalising their plans.

We advised against it, as the proposal needed to be fully documented to support the statement of environmental effects for NSW DA and respond to DCP controls.

Our planning consultant worked with the client’s designer to prepare scaled drawings and coordinated the supporting documentation. The DA was approved with minimal conditions and no redesign required.

Plans also help identify whether the development will need a Clause 4.6 variation request NSW or additional reports such as a heritage impact statement NSW town planning.

Without plans, it’s impossible to assess compliance with height, setbacks or building envelope controls. Our town planning services for residential development NSW always begin with reviewing draft plans to ensure they match the planning permit requirements.

Some clients ask if a concept sketch is enough to start the process. While a sketch may help in the early planning advice stage, it is not acceptable for lodgement.

Councils need accurate measurements and technical detail to assess the application properly. A town planner near me specialising in NSW DCP can review your concept and advise when it is ready to be converted into full DA plans.

If you’re unsure how to get a DA approved in NSW, or what documents you need to prepare first, the safest approach is to engage a NSW town planning consultant for subdivision approval, dwelling projects or commercial change of use.

Plans are not just a formality. They are the foundation of a strong, compliant application that will stand up to council assessment.