Who Can Draw My Plans for a Granny Flat in NSW?

If you're planning to build a granny flat in New South Wales, one of the first questions you’ll ask is, “Who can draw my plans?”

The answer depends on whether you want a fast approval, a compliant design and a stress-free process.

In NSW, your granny flat plans must meet specific council or CDC standards. This means they must be more than just concept sketches or builder drafts.

You need DA-ready or CDC-ready plans prepared by someone who understands town planning and NSW planning rules.

Here’s how to find the right expert to draw your granny flat plans.

1. Choose a team that combines drafting with planning experience

Many people go straight to a building designer or draftsperson. But if that person doesn’t understand NSW planning policy, your development application could get refused or delayed.

At Town Planning Sydney, we draw granny flat plans with DA approval in mind.

Our planning consultants guide the design to comply with setbacks, building height, site coverage and open space rules.

2. Make sure the plans meet the exact requirements for council or CDC

Granny flats can be approved through two pathways: Complying Development Certificate (CDC) or a full DA approval from your local council.

CDC has stricter requirements on lot size, frontage and location. DA provides more flexibility but takes longer.

In both cases, you need site plans, floor plans, elevations, roof plans, and shadow diagrams that meet council approval standards.

We recently helped a client in Canterbury, Bankstown who had purchased an off-the-shelf granny flat plan online. The design failed local privacy and drainage requirements.

We revised the entire set and resubmitted it, securing DA approval within 9 weeks.

3. Ask if they can handle the entire development application process

Drawing the plans is only the first step. You’ll also need supporting reports like the Statement of Environmental Effects, BASIX Certificate and site analysis.

Our clients prefer working with Town Planning Sydney because we manage everything from planning checks to plan preparation and lodgement.

This means fewer delays and no miscommunication between separate professionals.

4. Look for someone who understands local council rules

Every council in NSW has slightly different DCP rules. You need someone who can draw your plans to meet those rules, not just general NSW guidelines.

In a granny flat project in Penrith, our team adjusted the window placement and landscaping after reviewing council’s design guide.

Because we understood the local requirements, the plans were accepted on the first submission.

5. Avoid pre-drawn or templated plans if your site is unique

Granny flat builders often offer fixed plans. These might work on standard blocks but fail on sloping sites, corner lots or small frontages.

In a recent project in Campbelltown, a builder plan was 1.5 metres over the rear setback limit.

Our planning consultant worked with the client to reconfigure the layout, produce a compliant plan and submit a successful development application.

6. Choose a planning-led firm with in-house drafting

At Town Planning Sydney, we draw granny flat plans based on your site’s planning controls.

We don’t just make them look good.

We make sure they pass. This saves you time, avoids unnecessary redesigns and keeps your project on track.

Granny flat approvals are achievable when you have a clear design and the right planning support.

Make sure your plans are drawn by professionals who know how DA approval, council approval and NSW planning all come together.