How to Get a Granny Flat Approved in NSW

Thinking about building a granny flat in New South Wales?

Whether it’s for extra income, multi-generational living or future flexibility, a granny flat is a smart investment.

But to build one legally, you’ll need to secure either a development application or a complying development approval.

The process can be confusing, especially with changing NSW planning rules and council-specific controls.

That’s why many homeowners turn to Town Planning Sydney, the leading town planning company in NSW, for clear planning advice, architectural drafting and full DA support.

Here’s a step-by-step breakdown to help you get it right.

1. Confirm if your property is eligible for a granny flat

Granny flats are allowed on many residential blocks, but not all sites qualify. Minimum lot sizes, land zoning, heritage overlays and bushfire risk all affect eligibility.

In general, if your site is zoned R2 and over 450 square metres, you may qualify under NSW planning rules for a Complying Development Certificate (CDC).

If it doesn’t meet CDC standards, you’ll need to lodge a development application through your local council.

At Town Planning Sydney, we begin every project with a thorough site review to determine the most efficient approval path.

2. Choose the right approval pathway: DA or CDC

A CDC is faster and handled by a private certifier, but has strict design and siting rules. A DA offers more flexibility but goes through a longer assessment process with council.

For example, if your land has a steep slope or is flood-prone, a DA may be your only option.

Our planning consultants help you understand the pros and cons of each path and choose the one that suits your goals and site constraints.

3. Design your granny flat with council compliance in mind

A successful application starts with a compliant design. That includes setbacks, building height, open space, privacy impacts and even landscaping.

We often meet clients who have purchased pre-designed granny flats online, only to discover they don’t comply with local NSW planning controls.

Our in-house drafting team works closely with our town planning experts to prepare custom plans that match both your vision and the approval requirements.

4. Prepare and lodge a complete development application

Missing documents are one of the top reasons applications get delayed or refused.

We manage the full DA process, including site analysis, floor plans, shadow diagrams, Statement of Environmental Effects, and all required planning reports.

In a recent project in Parramatta, a client’s site was affected by a stormwater easement. We worked with council engineers to adjust the building footprint, secured DA approval and helped them move to the construction stage without legal risk.

5. Respond to council requests quickly and accurately

It’s common for council planners to request minor amendments, neighbour notifications or additional reports.

Our experienced planning consultants handle these requests directly, so you don’t have to navigate the bureaucracy yourself.

In one case in Campbelltown, council flagged a privacy concern with a side-facing window.

We revised the design, re-submitted within 48 hours and kept the approval on track. This is why planning advice from a trusted firm like Town Planning Sydney is so valuable.

6. Post-approval support makes all the difference

Once your granny flat is approved, you still need a Construction Certificate and ongoing inspections.

We stay involved after council approval to make sure everything from building set-out to compliance certificates goes smoothly. In one duplex-style granny flat project in Blacktown, we helped the owner coordinate with the certifier and builder to avoid costly rework.

Whether you’re early in the idea phase or ready to lodge your development application, you need a clear process, compliant design and expert guidance.

Town Planning Sydney provides end-to-end town planning services to make granny flat approvals in NSW faster, simpler and stress-free.

With local knowledge, in-house drafting and responsive planning advice, we're proud to be the go-to name for homeowners and developers across the state.