DA vs CDC: which approval do you need in NSW — and which is faster?
When you're planning a home project in NSW, one of the first questions you'll face is: do I need a Development Application (DA) or a Complying Development Certificate (CDC)? It's a question we answer every week at KBG Planning & Design, and the choice has a real impact on your timeline, cost, and flexibility.
Here's a clear, practical breakdown of both pathways — and how to work out which one applies to your project.
What is a DA (Development Application)?
A Development Application is a formal request to your local council seeking approval for building or development works. The council assesses your DA against its Local Environmental Plan (LEP) and Development Control Plan (DCP) — its own set of planning rules covering things like building height, setbacks, floor space ratio, landscaping and character.
The DA process involves community notification (your neighbours can submit objections), a council assessment period, and ultimately a decision by a council planner or panel. This makes it the more thorough — but also more time-consuming — of the two pathways.
What is a CDC (Complying Development Certificate)?
A CDC is a fast-track approval pathway available for developments that fully comply with a set of standardised state-wide planning rules under the State Environmental Planning Policy (Exempt and Complying Development Codes) 2008 — usually just called "the Codes SEPP."
Because the criteria are pre-set, there's no community consultation and no council assessment. Instead, a private certifier (or council, but usually private) checks your plans against the Codes SEPP criteria and issues the certificate — often within 10–20 business days.
Key differences: DA vs CDC at a glance
| Factor | DA (Development Application) | CDC (Complying Development) |
|---|---|---|
| Who approves it | Local council | Private certifier (or council) |
| Typical timeframe | 40–80+ business days | 10–20 business days |
| Neighbour notification | Yes — neighbours can object | No — no community consultation |
| Design flexibility | High — assessed on merit | Low — must tick every box |
| Cost (application fees) | Higher — council fees + potential specialist consultants | Lower — private certifier fee only |
| Best for | Non-standard designs, heritage properties, complex sites | Standard projects on clear residential lots |
| Risk of refusal | Possible, but manageable with good design | Very low if criteria are met |
When can you use CDC?
CDC is available for a wide range of common residential projects — but only if your site and design tick every required box under the Codes SEPP. Common projects that often qualify include:
- New single-storey and two-storey homes on standard residential lots
- Home extensions and first-floor additions within height and setback limits
- Secondary dwellings (granny flats) up to 60m²
- Dual occupancies in areas where they are permissible
- Swimming pools and outbuildings within prescribed dimensions
However, if your site has any of the following, CDC is generally not available and you'll need a DA:
- Bushfire attack level (BAL) 40 or BAL-Flame Zone rating
- Heritage listing or proximity to a heritage item
- A flood planning level on the property
- An acid sulfate soils classification
- The design varies from any Codes SEPP standard (even by a minor amount)
Important: CDC is an all-or-nothing pathway. If your design or site fails to meet even a single criterion — say, a side setback is 10mm short — you cannot use CDC and must go to DA instead. This is why it's critical to have an experienced building designer review your site and design before choosing a pathway.
Which is better — DA or CDC?
Neither is universally "better" — it depends entirely on your project and site. At KBG Planning & Design, we assess each project individually and advise you on the fastest, most reliable pathway to approval. Our priorities are:
- Can the project qualify for CDC? If yes, and if the Codes SEPP standards don't overly constrain the design, CDC is usually faster and simpler.
- Is a DA likely to be straightforward? With good design preparation and knowledge of the council's DCP, many DAs sail through assessment without issues.
- Is the site complex? Heritage, bushfire, flooding, steep slopes — these typically mean a DA is the right pathway, with specialist consultants engaged from the start.
What about the NSW Housing Code changes?
In February 2025, the NSW Government expanded the Low and Mid-Rise Housing Reforms, which now allow dual occupancies and terraces as complying development in more zones across Greater Sydney. This has opened up new CDC pathways for property owners who previously had to go through the DA process for dual occupancy projects. Our team is fully across these changes and can advise you on what's now possible on your block.
Not sure which pathway suits your project? Book a free 20-minute consultation with KBG Planning & Design. We'll assess your site against both pathways and give you a clear recommendation — no jargon, no obligation.