Granny Flats – Getting Started – Approvals
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Most granny flat projects stall at the same place. Not the build. The approval. Vivo Homes checks your block, prepares every document and manages the approval pathway before you sign anything.
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Background to Granny Flat Approvals
In 2009, the State Government introduced the ‘State Environmental Planning Policy for Affordable Rental Housing’, otherwise known as (AHSEPP) 2009. This is State Government legislation.
When a property and the proposed Granny Flat structure comply with this legislation, approval can be carried out via Complying Development.
This means that a ‘Private Certifier’ or ‘Council’ can approve the project. This is a fast approval, which can be completed in around 20 days.
The great news is that the council DA process is bypassed to achieve approval in a relatively short period.
Advantages of Vivo Homes
for Your Approval
We are Complying Development experts and can efficiently manage your project in the shortest space of time.
We will prepare your project by organising your Architectural, Engineering, Stormwater, Basix, and Water Authority approval. These documents will be prepared according to legislation compliance before being submitted to our Private Certifier.
This is a very exciting process, providing the opportunity for homeowners and developers to save time and money in an otherwise lengthy and gruelling procedure through the council.
A Development Application will be submitted to the council if the project does not meet State Government legislation requirements.
Complying Development (CDC)
We coordinate the CDC requirements, council processes, engineers and certifiers on your behalf.
The process includes:
TREES
Setbacks from ‘protected’ trees must be at least 3m. If tree removal is necessary, a separate tree removal permit may be required. Please check with your local council.
PRIVATE OPEN SPACE
24m2 of private open space must be provided. It must be at least 4m wide and directly accessible from and adjacent to a habitable room other than a bedroom.
SIZE & HEIGHT
► A Granny Flat may not be larger than 60m2 measured from external walls.
► It can be 1, 2 or 3 bedrooms.
► The maximum height is 8.5m, however all setback distances may be further with increased Granny Flat height. A formula is used when the height exceeds 3.8m at setback points.
STORMWATER
Site drainage must comply with your council’s stormwater policies.
Before Vivo Homes, Sandra Hanna spent a decade inside Sydney’s planning and approvals system. She has 18 years in the industry, and she knows how costly building mistakes happen before construction even starts.
Yes. Approval is always required. Depending on your property and design, you might get quicker approval. The Complying Development Certificate (CDC) pathway can take as little as 20 days. If the property or project doesn’t meet the development rules, you’ll need a Development Application (DA) from the council.
Vivo Homes checks your property first. This way, you’ll know the likely steps and timeline before moving ahead.
A Complying Development Certificate (CDC) is a fast approval option in NSW. It’s for eligible developments that meet the necessary planning and building rules. For suitable granny flat projects, it swaps the usual council DA process for approval from a Private Certifier or Council. This process requires approximately 20 days.
Many factors influence the approval of a granny flat on your property. These include:
Vivo Homes inspects your property and provides a clear explanation of what is possible. This way, you won’t have to figure out the requirements on your own.
Not qualifying for Complying Development doesn’t mean you can’t build a granny flat. Your project may need a Development Application to the relevant council instead. Vivo Homes will share the available options and any extra requirements. Then, you can choose how to move forward.
Your property and project may need different documents. These could include:
Vivo Homes creates this documentation to comply with legal requirements before sending it to our Private Certifier.
There isn’t a single fixed approval cost for granny flats.
Costs can change based on several factors:
All these elements can affect the overall cost.
Vivo Homes will assess your project and provide clear, transparent costings.
Yes. We’re experts in Complying Development. With hundreds of successful approvals, we manage all plans, consultants, and necessary documents. We guide you through the entire approval process. This way, you won’t have to figure out which consultant, certifier, or authority to contact next.
Vivo Homes offers granny flat approval services throughout Sydney. We have solid experience in North West Sydney. This includes our Norwest base, the Hills District, the North Shore, and the Northern Beaches.
