Canberra scheme that requires energy efficiency ratings for homes, mainly when they are sold or leased.

Housing that costs less than 30% of a low-to-moderate income household's income. Sometimes required in new developments.

Official permission from council to proceed with your development or building work.

A professional who investigates historical sites before development.

A qualified professional who designs buildings and prepares detailed construction plans and documentation.

How something was actually constructed (as opposed to the approved plans)

NSW sustainability certificate for dwellings.

A floor level that's wholly or partly below ground. Subject to special planning and construction rules.

A block of land behind another property, accessed by a long driveway that looks like a battleaxe handle.

The legal property lines separating your land from neighbours, roads, or public spaces.

The main technical rules that set minimum standards for how buildings must be designed and constructed in Australia.

The 3D space you're allowed to build in.

The maximum vertical measurement allowed for your building, measured from ground to the highest point.

The line parallel to the street that defines where buildings should be positioned.

A rating that shows how exposed your site is to bushfire risk and what construction measures are required.

Land that's been officially mapped as being at risk of bushfire

A covered parking structure that's open on at least one side - no walls or only partial walls.

When council asks the public (usually your neighbours) what they think about a development.

Fast-track building approval for straightforward projects that meet all preset criteria - no negotiation possible.

An area protected because of its environmental, heritage, or cultural significance.

Approval to start building, confirming detailed construction plans meet the Building Code and regulations.

A legal restriction on your property title that limits what you can do with the land - separate from council rules.

The area of land around a heritage building that's also protected.

A flat outdoor platform (usually timber or composite) attached to a house or freestanding in the yard.

Knocking down or removing an existing building or structure - requires permits and sometimes council approval.

The formal application seeking council permission to build, modify, or change use of a property.

Council's detailed design guidelines showing how they want development to look and function in different areas.

The vehicle access path from the street to your property - subject to width, gradient, and safety requirements.

Two separate homes on one block of land, either attached (duplex) or detached.

Planning term for a residential building where people live - includes houses, units, townhouses, or granny flats.

A legal right for others to use part of your land for specific purposes like utilities, drainage, or access.

How your development affects the natural environment - trees, waterways, wildlife, stormwater, soil, and vegetation.

Legal planning documents that contain enforceable planning rules - mainly Local Environmental Plans (LEPs).

Minor, low-impact work that doesn't need any council approval - but must meet strict criteria exactly.

A barrier between properties or along street frontage - most fences over certain heights need council approval.

Requirements to protect buildings and occupants from fire - includes construction materials, escape routes, and firefighting access.

Minimum habitable floor level for flood safety.

The maximum building floor area allowed relative to your land size - controls development density.

The public land between your property boundary and the road - owned by council, not you.

A fully enclosed structure for parking vehicles - typically requires DA or CDC approval.

A self-contained small dwelling on the same lot as a house - maximum 60 sqm, subject to special rules.

Total internal floor space of a building measured from outside of external walls - used to calculate FSR compliance.

An imaginary sloping plane from your boundary that limits building height - prevents massive walls overshadowing neighbours.

A protected area where the overall streetscape character has heritage significance - stricter development controls apply.

Buildings, places, or items protected because of historical, cultural, architectural, or social significance.

Mandatory insurance that protects owners if a licensed builder dies, disappears, becomes insolvent or ignores a money order.

Running a business from your residential property.

Changes inside a building that don't affect external appearance - often exempt but not always.

Custom-built cupboards, cabinets, shelving, and other fitted furniture.

Demolishing an existing house and building a new one on the same block.

See "Knock Down Rebuild"

A table that shows what land uses are permitted, prohibited, or require consent in each zone.

NSW court handling planning disputes, appeals against council decisions, and environmental enforcement matters.

The design and treatment of outdoor spaces - gardens, trees, paving, lawns, and planting required by council.

A person or company licensed to carry out and supervise residential building work in NSW.

Your council's main planning law - sets zoning, height limits, FSR, and what's permitted on your land.

A separate parcel of land with its own title - the basic unit of land ownership and planning.

Changing the main use of a building or site, such as from a shop to a café or a warehouse to a gym.

How council evaluates DAs when there's no clear yes/no answer in the rules.

Changes to an already-approved DA without lodging a completely new application - faster and cheaper than fresh DA.

The main technical rules that set minimum standards for how buildings must be designed and constructed in Australia.

The process where council informs surrounding properties about your DA, giving them opportunity to comment or object.

Development that's specifically prohibited in your zone by the LEP - council legally cannot approve it.

The rulebook that sets out how land can be used and developed across the Northern Territory.

Final approval after construction is finished, certifying the building is safe to occupy and was built according to plans.

Systems like septic tanks and treatment plants that deal with sewage on your property instead of a council sewer main.

Outdoor areas on your property that aren't built on - gardens, lawns, courtyards required by council.

A detached structure separate from the main house - sheds, studios, garages, workshops, or storage buildings.

When your building blocks sunlight to neighbouring properties - council uses shadow diagrams to assess impact.

An outdoor structure with open roof (beams or slats) providing partial shade - simpler approval than fully roofed structures.

Whether a land use is legally allowed in your zone according to the LEP land use table. First question to answer for any DA.

A land use that is allowed in your zone under the planning rules, usually with council consent.

A formal agreement between a developer and council where the developer provides public benefits (like parks, roads, community facilities) in exchange for relaxed planning controls. More common for large developments.

Official document from council listing all planning information affecting a property - essential before buying.

Collective term for all the rules affecting your property - LEP zoning, DCP requirements, height limits, FSR, setbacks, SEPPs, heritage overlays, etc.

Victoria's main planning approval issued by council for use or development of land.

Council's online system for viewing planning information, maps, DA applications, and lodging applications.

A formal request to change the planning controls, such as zoning, height or floor space ratio, that apply to land.

Water supply, drainage, and sewerage systems. In planning terms, significant plumbing changes (like adding a bathroom or moving kitchen plumbing) usually need approval because they affect drainage and services.

An in-ground or above-ground structure used for swimming or wading

An accredited professional who checks building plans and works for compliance and issues CCs and OCs.

Council or private certifier overseeing your build.

Protection from being overlooked by neighbours. Council uses privacy controls to prevent windows, balconies, or decks from directly looking into neighbours' living spaces or private open space.

An environmental assessment document required for some developments, particularly by public authorities or for bigger projects. Details the environmental impacts and how they'll be managed.

The minimum distance your building must be from the rear boundary. Usually 6-8m for single storey, more for multi-storey.

Queensland term for subdividing or rearranging land parcels, usually needing a development approval.

The official survey plan registered with NSW Land Registry showing your property boundaries and dimensions. Each lot has a unique DP/RP number that identifies it.

A formal request from council or a certifier asking for extra detail or clarification before they can decide your application.

A wall that holds back soil or rock from a building or area.

Changing the surface materials or finishes of a building while keeping the same structure - like replacing weatherboards with render, or brick with stone cladding. Often needs DA approval because it changes the external appearance, especially in heritage areas or where the DCP specifies materials.

Applying for approval after work has been done (usually because it was done illegally). Council can approve, refuse, or require modifications.

Changing the zoning of land so different uses or development densities are allowed under the LEP.

A legal right for people (or vehicles) to pass through your property to access another property. Common on battleaxe blocks where the handle is a right of way.

The angle or slope of a roof, usually expressed as a ratio or degrees. Council DCPs often specify minimum or maximum roof pitches to maintain neighbourhood character.

An official council certificate that summarises the key planning controls and restrictions applying to a property.

See "Modifications" - the section of the EP&A Act that allows you to modify approved DAs without starting from scratch.

The minimum distance your building must be from a boundary.

Technical drawings showing where shadows will fall from your building at different times of day, especially winter solstice (June 21). Required for most DAs involving height.

A simple outbuilding for storage. Small sheds (usually under 10 sqm, low height, away from boundaries) are often exempt development.

Minimum distance from the side boundary, usually 900mm for single storey, more for upper floors. Prevents houses being crammed together with no gap.