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.
Download 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:
- State Environmental Planning Policy (Exempt and Complying Development Codes) 2008
- Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2000.
Downloads
- Exempt development – Arabic – Brochure (PDF, 680 KB)
- Exempt development – Chinese Simplified – Brochure (PDF, 458.3 KB)
- Exempt development – Hindi – Brochure (PDF, 676.9 KB)
- Exempt development – Korean – Brochure (PDF, 339.9 KB)
- Exempt development – Vietnamese – Brochure (PDF, 724.2 KB)
- Understanding exempt development (PDF, 222 KB)
- Air-conditioning units – Rules for exempt development (PDF, 165.7 KB)
- Cabanas, cubby houses, ferneries, garden sheds, gazebos and greenhouses – Rules for exempt development (PDF, 348.2 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, 370.9 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, 165.9 KB)
- Boundary adjustments and strate subdivisions (PDF, 248.8 KB)
- Carports and garages – Rules for exempt and complying development (PDF, 609 KB)
- Demolition of buildings – Rules for exempt and complying development (PDF, 296.6 KB)
- Fences – Rules for exempt and complying development (PDF, 210 KB)
- Home-based enterprises – Rules for exempt and complying development (PDF, 377.9 KB)
- Hot water systems and rainwater tanks – Rules for exempt and complying development (PDF, 482.5 KB)
- Waterway structures – Rules for exempt and complying development (PDF, 491.8 KB)
Go to the NSW Planning Portal:
For more information about exempt development:
- go to the NSW Planning Portal
- email [email protected].