Planning Controls & Policies

What is a Local Environmental Plan (LEP)?


The Local Environmental Plan (LEP) is the principal environmental planning instrument used by councils to regulate land use and influences planning and development decisions within the Local Government Area (LGA).

The LEP is prepared and gazetted by the State Government in accordance with the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979, giving legal effect to where and under what circumstances places can be developed or environmental controls put in place. It is made up of a written instrument and maps and came into effect on Friday 26 October 2012.

The LEP contains zoning and land use information, specifying what uses are permitted or prohibited in each zone, development controls such as height of buildings, floor space ratio and incentives for affordable housing, provisions for the reservation of land, protection of trees and heritage conservation, as well as a number of other environmental requirements.

For more information about the new LEP and to find out how it might be relevant to you, please click here.

Repealed LEPs


The Waverley LEP 2012 repealed all previous LEPs that applied in the Waverley LGA.

To access all repealed LEPs, please click here.

What is a Development Control Plan (DCP)?


The Development Control Plan (DCP) supports the controls outlined in the LEP with more specific planning and design guidelines relevant to the Waverley LGA, including built form controls, parking, biodiversity and tree preservation, signage, heritage conservation and safety.

The DCP provides guidelines for both new residential developments as well as residential alterations and extensions. It also details general controls for commercial developments, but identifies areas where more specific guidelines apply, such as the Bondi Junction Centre, the Bondi Beachfront area and the local villages.

The DCP was formally adopted on Friday 26 October 2012.

For more information about the new DCP and to find out how it might be relevant to you, please click here.

Repealed DCP


Waverley DCP 2012 repealed the previous DCP that applied in the Waverley LGA.

To access the repealed Waverley DCP 2010, please click here.

Exempt and Complying Development


In 2008, the NSW Government created one policy for exempt and complying development standards to be used throughout NSW. It allows developments to proceed as:

  • Exempt Development, which does not require planning approval, or
  • Complying Development, which can be approved by an accredited certifier in ten days.

Both exempt and complying development will still need to meet development codes and any other relevant legislation. 

Click here for more information.


Policies and Guidelines


Council has a number of policies and guidelines that provide additional information and guidance to the controls contained within the LEP and DCP.

Please click here to view these policies and guidelines.