Easy Granny Flat Approval on the Central Coast
Most granny flats in NSW can be approved in as little as 10 days. The key is knowing the rules before you start.
Understanding the Complying Development Requirements
To qualify for Complying Development, your property must meet specific state planning criteria. These requirements allow approval to be issued without a full Development Application, significantly reducing timeframes when your block complies.
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The minimum requirements below apply to residentially zoned properties under Complying Development.
Zoning and Minimum Lot Size
The property must be zoned residential and have a minimum lot size of 450m².
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Boundary and Structure Setbacks
For residential zoning, the granny flat must be positioned a minimum of 3m from the rear boundary, 900mm from the side boundaries, and at least 1.8m from any existing structure on the property.
Maximum Floor Area
The maximum permitted floor area of the granny flat is 60m² of internal floor area. Covered decks, patios and carports are not included in this calculation, provided they comply with the relevant setback and planning requirements.
Minimum Site Width
The property must have a minimum width of 12 metres at the front of the existing house to qualify for a detached granny flat under CDC rules.
Tree Clearance Requirements
The granny flat must be positioned at least 3m away from any existing trees that exceed 4m in height.
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Building Height Limits
Under Complying Development, the granny flat must comply with maximum building height requirements and maximum floor heights, as set out in the Housing SEPP.