What Is a Recreation Facility (Indoor) and How Do I Get It Approved?

Thinking about opening a gym, pilates studio or indoor sports centre in NSW?

You’ll likely fall under the land use definition of Recreation Facility (Indoor) in your local council’s LEP.

But what does that actually mean and how do you get your development approved?

As a leading town planning company in NSW, Town Planning Sydney regularly helps business owners get council approval for fitness centres, yoga studios, indoor play centres and more.

We handle the entire process, from planning advice to design and DA approval.

Here’s what you need to know before you start.

1. What is a Recreation Facility (Indoor) under the LEP?

In NSW planning terms, a Recreation Facility (Indoor) is a defined land use listed in most Local Environmental Plans.

It refers to premises used for indoor recreation that’s not open to the general public without payment or membership.

This includes facilities like gyms, martial arts studios, spin classes, trampoline parks, and even indoor golf simulators.

If you're setting up something like a dance school or climbing gym, this is the category your business most likely falls under.

But it’s essential to confirm with a planning consultant because misidentifying the use can result in your DA being delayed or refused.

Getting proper planning advice early helps you avoid issues with zoning or compliance.

2. What zones allow indoor recreation facilities?

Under NSW planning controls, Recreation Facility (Indoor) is typically permitted with consent in zones like B6 (Enterprise Corridor), IN2 (Light Industrial), and some B2 (Local Centre) zones.

Whether your development is allowed depends entirely on the zoning of your site and the controls in your local LEP.

For example, we recently helped a client in Parramatta secure DA approval for a boutique boxing gym in a B4 Mixed Use zone.It required a carefully prepared development application to demonstrate compliance with noise, parking, and operating hours controls.

3. What do councils assess when approving these developments?

A development application for an indoor recreation facility needs to address a number of planning matters.

The key ones include:

• Acoustic impact (especially if there’s music or amplified sound)

• Traffic and parking demand

• Hours of operation

• Accessibility and fire safety

• Fit-out layout and structural changes

• Neighbourhood character

Our planning consultants work closely with architects and acoustic engineers to address these issues in the DA.

We recently worked with a personal training studio in the Inner West where parking was limited.

By conducting a traffic impact assessment and showing that most clients walk or cycle, we were able to get council approval without needing extra spaces.

4. Do I need a CDC or DA for approval?

In most cases, indoor recreation facilities require a development application, especially if you’re changing the use of an existing building.

Some minor fit-outs or changes might qualify for a Complying Development Certificate (CDC), but this depends on your site and its zoning.

A planning consultant can review your plans and give you planning advice on the fastest and most cost-effective pathway.

In some instances, we’ve helped clients shift their proposal slightly, such as altering operating hours or reducing group class size to fit within council policy and improve approval chances.

5. How can I improve my chances of getting DA approval?

Start by engaging a town planning expert early in the process.

Submitting a development application without the right documentation can lead to unnecessary delays or refusals.

Your DA should include scaled architectural drawings, planning justification, and any specialist reports needed based on your location and proposal.

At Town Planning Sydney, we manage everything from site analysis and drafting to full DA coordination.

We’ve helped indoor facilities across NSW from wellness centres in Newcastle to kids’ activity gyms in regional areas navigate the complex council approval process.

Understanding what qualifies as a Recreation Facility (Indoor) and how it’s treated under NSW planning law is key to avoiding costly missteps.

With expert planning advice and the right team behind you, your business can get off the ground faster with fewer delays and less red tape.