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Planning a development

Planning a development in Waverley? We have a range of policies, tools and resources that can help you understand the types and scope of development possible on your site.

This page provides links to the online planning maps, local policies and guidelines you should review to see what rules apply to your proposed development on your property.

Please follow the links below for more information.

Before You Dig Australia (BYDA)

BYDA provides a single point of contact to request free information about any infrastructure networks at your planned project site without needing to contact utility organisations individually.

Online maps

Waverley Council offers public access to interactive maps of the Waverley Local Government Area (LGA), together with community information about local services, facilities and planning controls. If you can't find what you're looking for from our online maps, you can request a custom map from Council’s GIS team.

Waverley Local Environmental Plan 2012

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 LGA. The LEP contains land zonings, permissible uses, key development standard relating to Floor Space Ratio (FSR), Height and Subdivision land size for land within the area.

Waverley Development Control Plan 2012

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

Policies and guidelines

Council has a number of policies and guidelines that provide additional information and guidance to the controls included within the Local Environmental Plan (LEP) and the Waverley Development Control Plan (DCP).

Superseded plans

Repealed and superseded Local Environmental Plans (LEPs) and Development Control Plans (DCPs) in Waverley.

Access to Information

You may request a building file search for a property, which means Council will search its files for any record of development or building approvals and make it available for you to view.

Exempt and complying development

Exempt Development is minor work which does not require planning approval and therefore does not require lodgement of a Development Application (DA).

Click here for more information about Developing in Waverley.

Click here for more information about how to prepare a Development Application.

More information

We have a Duty Planner who is generally available from 9am - 1pm and 2 - 4pm, Tuesday to Thursday and can answer general enquiries regarding the planning process and lodgement requirements during normal operations. There may be times where the Duty Planner is not available in-person, however, they can be contactable via audio or phone call should you wish to physically attend the Customer Service Centre for enquiries.

During lockdown settings of the COVID-19 pandemic, Council is offering limited Duty Planning services via email duty.planner@waverley.nsw.gov.au. Your enquiry will be answered within 5 business days and the timing of response will depend on the complexity of the matter. We apologise for any inconvenience  for delayed responses.

The Duty Planner is available to:

• Provide guidance on what documentation is required to lodge a development applications (DA) and other planning applications.
• Check DAs prior to lodgement to ensure adequate information is provided in accordance with the DA Checklist and DA Guide to avoid delays in the assessment process. The Duty Planner will not accept lodgement of applications in-person and by mail. Applications are to be lodged via the NSW Planning Portal. Once submitted on the NSW Planning Portal, the Duty Planner will check the completeness of these lodgements and will not accept these if information is inadequate, including correct owners consent.
• Provide information on the DA assessment process and how you can track the progress of your DA. The Duty Officer is not able to provide a timeline or estimated time for the determination of an application.
• Provide information on where you can find Council’s development controls (such as Waverley LEP and Waverley DCP) and provide general assistance with interpretation of the controls. The Duty Planner is not able to provide detailed information on which controls apply to development or the likelihood of any variation to the controls being supported by Council.
• Providing assistance with understanding plans and information submitted with a development application during the DA notification period. The Duty Planner is not able to provide advice on the likely outcome of any application.
• Provide information on how you can obtain higher level planning advice via Council’s Pre-DA process. The Duty Planner is not able to provide advice regarding the merits or likelihood of approval of a proposal.
• Provide general advice on whether a development requires a DA or direct you to where you can obtain this information. The Duty Planner is not able to provide any detailed or site specific assessment or advice as to whether a development meets the provisions as exempt or complying development.
• Provide information on how you can determine the zoning of a property. Due to legal restrictions, the Duty Officer is not able to provide specific advice on zoning of any property.
• Provide a range of other general planning related information.
• The Duty Officer is not able to provide detailed planning advice or high level planning information. If this is required, you may need to engage your own planning consultant or legal practitioner.