What’s the Fastest Way to Get Granny Flat Approval in NSW?

If you’re planning to build a granny flat in NSW, speed and compliance are key.

Understanding the fastest path to granny flat approval will save time, money and stress.

At Town Planning Sydney, we help homeowners and developers across NSW navigate the system quickly and legally.

Here’s how to get your granny flat approved without delay.

1. Use the CDC Pathway If You Qualify

The fastest way to get approval for a granny flat in NSW is through a Complying Development Certificate (CDC).

This is a fast-track approval under NSW planning rules that bypasses the slower DA process.

To qualify for a CDC, your property must meet specific requirements set by the NSW Housing SEPP.

For example, your lot must be at least 450 square metres and have a minimum 12-metre frontage.

The granny flat also needs to comply with setbacks, landscaping and private open space rules.

A planning consultant can assess your site and tell you upfront whether a CDC is possible.

We’ve had clients in western Sydney who thought they needed DA approval, but our planning advice showed they were eligible for CDC.

Their granny flats were approved within 20 days, not months.

2. Get a Site Assessment Done First

The biggest mistake we see is people jumping into drafting or quoting without checking planning rules.

A thorough site assessment by a town planning expert will uncover any zoning, flood risk or bushfire issues that could delay your build.

For example, if your property is in a heritage conservation area, a CDC is not allowed.

You’ll need to lodge a development application with council, which takes longer.

Knowing this early avoids redesigns and wasted fees.

3. Work with a Team That Handles Planning and Drafting Together

Many delays happen when drafting and town planning are handled by different companies.

At Town Planning Sydney, we offer in-house architectural drafting aligned with NSW planning rules.

This ensures your granny flat plans are ready for submission and won't bounce back due to non-compliance.

For one client in the Northern Beaches, our integrated approach cut their turnaround by three weeks.

They avoided multiple revisions and got council approval without delays.

4. Lodge a Fast and Complete Application

Whether you go via CDC or DA approval, your application must be accurate and complete.

Missing documents or unclear plans can trigger requests for more information.This slows everything down.

A qualified planning consultant ensures your development application includes all supporting documents from the start, including:

• Site analysis

• Shadow diagrams

• BASIX certificates

• Statement of Environmental Effects

This is critical to avoid back-and-forth with council.

In our experience, even one missing page can delay approval by weeks.

5. Be Strategic with Timing

Councils are generally slower around public holidays or end of financial year.

If you need fast council approval, plan to submit outside these windows.

Also, private certifiers can usually process CDCs quicker than councils process DAs.

Ask for planning advice early to choose the right path based on timing.

Whether you’re building for family, rental income or investment, getting a granny flat approved fast comes down to smart planning.

By using a CDC where possible, combining town planning and drafting, and submitting a strong application, you’ll get the green light quicker.

Town Planning Sydney has helped hundreds of clients across NSW fast-track granny flats through expert planning advice and compliance-driven design.

Let us help you avoid the headaches and get approved the right way.