Some minor building renovations or works don’t need any planning or building approval. This is called exempt development. Exempt development is very low impact development that can be done for certain residential, commercial and industrial properties.
A few examples of development that can be exempt development are: decks, garden sheds, carports, fences, repairing a window or painting a house. More information is available in the Understanding exempt development fact sheet (PDF, 222 KB).
As long as the proposed works meet all of the development standards (identified in the State Policy for exempt and complying development), approval may not be needed.
The majority of exempt and complying development types and their development standards are found in the State Policy for exempt and complying development. You can view the policy on the NSW legislation website:
Downloads
- Exempt development – Arabic – Brochure (PDF, 680 KB)
- Exempt development – Chinese Simplified – Brochure (PDF, 458 KB)
- Exempt development – Hindi – Brochure (PDF, 677 KB)
- Exempt development – Korean – Brochure (PDF, 340 KB)
- Exempt development – Vietnamese – Brochure (PDF, 724 KB)
- Understanding exempt development (PDF, 222 KB)
- Air-conditioning units – Rules for exempt development (PDF, 166 KB)
- Cabanas, cubby houses, ferneries, garden sheds, gazebos and greenhouses – Rules for exempt development (PDF, 348 KB)
- Balconies, decks, patios, pergolas, terraces and verandahs – Rules for exempt development (PDF, 98 KB)
- Driveways, hardstands, pathways and paving – Rules for exempt development (PDF, 371 KB)
- Advertising and signage – Rules for exempt and complying development (PDF, 944 KB)
- Aerials, antennae and communication dishes – Rules for exempt and complying development (PDF, 166 KB)
- Boundary adjustments and strate subdivisions (PDF, 249 KB)
- Carports and garages – Rules for exempt and complying development (PDF, 609 KB)
- Demolition of buildings – Rules for exempt and complying development (PDF, 297 KB)
- Fences – Rules for exempt and complying development (PDF, 210 KB)
- Home-based enterprises – Rules for exempt and complying development (PDF, 378 KB)
- Hot water systems and rainwater tanks – Rules for exempt and complying development (PDF, 483 KB)
- Waterway structures – Rules for exempt and complying development (PDF, 492 KB)
Go to the NSW Planning Portal:
For more information about exempt development:
- go to the NSW Planning Portal
- email [email protected]