Expert Town Planning for Commercial Projects in Inner West Sydney

If you’re starting or expanding a business in Inner West Sydney, you may need DA approval before you can open your doors.

Inner West Council requires formal development applications for many commercial activities, even minor changes.

At Town Planning Sydney, we help businesses and developers navigate the local process with expert planning advice, tailored documentation and clear communication.

Here’s how we support commercial projects through the NSW planning system:

1. We assess whether your commercial use needs a development application

Not all commercial works require a full DA, but many do.

New tenancies, fit-outs, signage, hours of operation and changes of use often trigger assessment. Our planning consultants start by reviewing your property’s zoning and permitted land uses.

In a Marrickville café project, we confirmed the use was permitted with consent and prepared a complete submission.

The council approval came through in five weeks.

2. We prepare accurate and council-ready plans

Commercial DAs often need detailed floor plans, waste management plans, traffic statements and signage details.

We prepare all required documentation in-house, including Statements of Environmental Effects.

For a retail shop in Leichhardt, we prepared updated floor plans and helped the client justify minor works in a heritage building.

The development application was approved with no external referrals.

3. We manage council communication and post-lodgement tasks

Our team handles responses to council queries and public submissions. We make sure your project stays on track even when planners ask for changes.

In Annandale, Inner West Council requested acoustic clarification for a yoga studio.

We worked with the acoustic consultant and submitted a revised report within 48 hours.

4. We help avoid delays caused by missing or incorrect documentation

Commercial projects often stall due to incomplete or unclear submissions.

We make sure everything is compliant with NSW planning legislation and local DCPs.

In Stanmore, we supported a commercial kitchen fit-out with a ventilation plan and operational hours analysis.

The application passed without any conditions requiring modification.

5. We know Inner West Council’s expectations and local issues

Having worked on dozens of commercial applications in the area, we understand what Inner West planners look for.

This includes outdoor seating rules, heritage conservation controls, noise management and waste handling.

In Haberfield, we managed a signage application for a heritage shopfront, working with council’s heritage advisor for a positive outcome.

6. We combine town planning and drafting in one efficient service

Our clients don’t need to manage multiple consultants or wait weeks for updates.

We offer planning-led design that reflects both regulatory compliance and functional layout.

In a Petersham medical clinic conversion, we coordinated design, access and DA reporting under one roof.

If you're planning a commercial project in Inner West Sydney, you need expert guidance that’s both local and practical.

Town Planning Sydney delivers the experience, documentation and results to help you move forward with confidence.