How Do I Know If My Proposed Use is “Permitted With Consent”

In NSW, land use is controlled by local planning rules set out in the Local Environmental Plan (LEP).

These rules determine what types of development are allowed in each zone.

If a use is listed as “permitted with consent,” it means you can legally carry out that activity or build that development, but only if the council approves your development application.

Knowing how to confirm this is one of the first steps in any project.

To find out whether your proposed use is permitted, you will need to check your property’s zoning.

This can be done through the NSW Planning Portal or your local council’s LEP. Each zone includes a land use table with three categories: permitted without consent, permitted with consent, and prohibited.

If your use is not listed as permitted or permitted with consent, then it is not allowed on that land.

For example, in a B2 Local Centre zone, shops and offices may be permitted with consent, while warehouses or industrial uses may be prohibited.

In an R2 Low Density Residential zone, dual occupancies are often permitted with consent, but multi-dwelling housing may not be. A town planner NSW based can review your zoning and confirm whether your project is allowed before you begin spending on design or reports.

We recently helped a client interested in converting a warehouse into a gym in a mixed-use area.

The use was listed as permitted with consent, which meant the proposal was eligible but still required DA approval. Our planning consultant prepared the statement of environmental effects for NSW DA, managed the council submission, and obtained approval within eight weeks.

If your site has constraints such as heritage, flooding or bushfire risk, additional reports may be needed.

These may include a heritage impact statement NSW town planning, a flood assessment or a Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) report.

In some cases, if the development varies from standard planning rules, we may also need a Clause 4.6 variation request NSW to support the proposal.

Whether you are preparing a planning permit NSW, seeking approval for a commercial change of use, or lodging a council submission for secondary dwelling NSW, it is essential to confirm whether your proposal is permitted with consent.

Our town planning services for residential development NSW begin with zoning checks and clear advice to help you proceed with confidence.

A town planner near me specialising in NSW DCP will help you avoid unnecessary risks by confirming land use permissibility before you commit to plans.

If you are unsure how to get a DA approved in NSW, the first step is understanding what your land is legally allowed to be used for.

From there, we help you prepare a strong, compliant application.