Development Application (DA)
The formal application seeking council permission to build, modify, or change use of a property.
A Development Application (DA) is your official request to council for permission to develop land - whether building a house, extending your home, building a granny flat, subdividing, changing building use, or even removing protected trees. It's the main approval pathway for anything that's not exempt or complying development. A DA includes architectural plans, site analysis, supporting reports (traffic, heritage, shadow diagrams, etc.), application forms, and fees (typically 0.5-1% of construction value). Once lodged, council assesses it against LEP, DCP, SEPPs, and other policies, notifies neighbours, refers to internal departments and external agencies (like RFS for bushfire), and eventually approves, refuses, or approves with conditions. Timeline is officially 40 days but realistically 3-6 months for houses, longer for complex projects. DAs are public documents - anyone can search and view them on council's portal.
What does it mean for my project?
Most substantial renovations, new houses in sensitive areas, dual occupancies, subdivisions and changes of use require a DA. DA preparation adds time and cost . allow for survey, plans, reports and fees. The DA outcome shapes what you're legally allowed to build; changes later can be painful. Good quality documentation and a clear planning argument can improve your chances
What do I need to think about?
Neighbours can object, and their concerns may lead to design changes or extra conditions. Timeframes are variable," simple DAs may be done in 6"8 weeks, complex ones can stretch for months. Incomplete or poor-quality applications often get delayed with "requests for further information". You generally can't start building until you have both DA and CC (or CDC)
Examples where it might impact a project
We lodged a DA for our granny flat in March and got approval in August, 5 months of checking the council portal every day.
State specific stuff...
No state specific requirements - used across Australia (check your local council for any local variations).