No matter what stage of life you are in, there are always a number of reasons to want an extra dwelling on your property.
Some see it as the potential for a home office, a place to focus solely on work, without the distractions of home, but so conveniently close.
Perhaps its a way of looking after your family, teenagers having their own space (or perhaps a parent’s retreat?) or the grandparents having a secure and comfortable home
Some see it as a way to increase their investment and the value of their property.
So why aren't more people doing it?
Property owners can sometimes be worried that the planning process would be expensive or daunting, sometimes it just feels easier to renovate an existing garage and call it a day, and that can be exciting too, if you're interested see this garage turned luxe studio as a great example, but it’s worth checking out the rules of your local council.
It can be surprising that there are actually many ways to build with or without the need for a DA application in NSW!
What do the NSW Government, Department of Planning, Industry and Environment have to say about this?
“Not all development requires consent before work can start. Some low-impact or routine activities such as home occupations in certain rural and residential zones, environmental protection works in certain environmental zones, or some temporary uses of land can be carried out without consent…..You do not need planning or construction approval for many minor renovations and low-impact works (exempt development). Council approval is not needed if your project meets specific development standards.”
Some buildings on rural properties in NSW are allowed to built without DA approval, if particular standards are met. In some cases, where square metre limits apply, verandahs and decks can become an additional allowance, giving you even more room to expand. A verandah is pretty much another lounge room in most parts of Australia!
So, will I need DA approval for my plans?
Whether you need to submit a DA application or not depends on how you're going to use your space and there are possibilities of working with the existing council codes to increase the functionality of your build. However, DA approvals should you want one do not need to be daunting at all, especially if you have someone holding your hand during the process. It’s just important you find a company who are willing to include DA approvals as part of their service. At Arca Joinery we provide construction certificates (an essential for DA applications) and work with an experienced town planner, well versed in the regions various Local Environment Plans (LEP's) and Development Control Plans (DCP's). We think its an essential component to ensure the safety of our customers. But every region is different, and every council has a different compliance list that property owners need to follow.
Why not do a little research and see what's possible for you? Or if you're local to the Byron Bay region you can contact us here. We wish you luck on your adventures!
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