Development Control Plan (DCP)
Council's detailed design guidelines showing how they want development to look and function in different areas.
A Development Control Plan (DCP) is council's detailed wishlist for how buildings should be designed - covering things like setbacks, building height, materials, colours, landscaping, driveway widths, window placement, roof pitch, fence styles, and heaps more. It sits below the LEP (which is actual law) as design guidance that council uses to assess DAs. DCPs aren't legally binding like LEPs, which means there's some room to argue for variations if you can justify good design reasons. However, council takes DCPs very seriously and will refuse DAs that blatantly ignore them without good justification. Every council has different DCPs, and some councils have multiple DCPs for different areas (like separate DCPs for heritage areas, new release areas, town centres). Read your DCP before designing - it'll save you expensive redesigns.
What does it mean for my project?
Guides how your proposal should look and perform; often the source of RFIs.
What do I need to think about?
Use the correct chapter for your zone and project type; include DCP references in your SEE.
Examples where it might impact a project
The DCP said we should use face brick, but we argued that rendered brick achieves the same look, and council accepted it.
State specific stuff...
Applies mainly in NSW (check local rules if you are in another state or territory).