Secondary Dwellings

Contact Us

Home
/
Secondary Dwellings

Request a call from one of our professionals today

REQUEST A CALL BACK

Secondary Dwellings

MORE ROOM FOR YOUR FAMILY, WITHOUT IMPOSING ON YOUR SPACE

Sometimes you just want more space in your home. You may want room for family to stay over, a space for kids to grow up in, or you need extra room for a home business. But making additions to your current property can be costly, time-consuming, or just not possible given the current layout and size of your home.

So if you’ve got the space available on your block, building a secondary dwelling can be a great idea to get the extra space for your property.

The good news is that, for the most part, building a secondary dwelling on your property doesn’t require a Development Approval from your local Council. If your new secondary dwelling meets the following requirements, you may be able to apply for a Complying Development Certificate (CDC) instead, which can fast-track the process.

Your property must meet all current size, height, and internal space regulations as stated by your local Council and the State Environment Planning Policy
Your property must be zoned as a residential property
A maximum of one secondary dwelling is allowed per lot
In general, your existing dwelling must maintain a specific width at the building line, as determined by your local Council. (If your property doesn’t meet this requirement, you may apply for an attached secondary dwelling)
It must meet all minimum front and side setback requirements
If there are any large trees on your property (6m or taller) your secondary dwelling must maintain a suitable distance away from these existing trees

At CIVAC, we take the headache out of managing the requirements to receive CDC approval for your secondary dwelling. We partner with you to ensure you’re able to go ahead with your new addition, and handle all the paperwork to make it as seamless as possible.

Here’s how we do it.

SPEAK TO US TODAY

HOW WE WORK WITH YOU

1 We set the groundwork 2 We gather the necessary documentation 3 We lodge your application 4 The next steps

HOW WE WORK WITH YOU

We set the groundwork

When you’re looking to build a secondary dwelling on your block, you’ll still need to receive approval from a Private Certifier. So depending on the size, to ensure you can safely create the new addition to your property you’ll need to apply for either a Development Application or a Complying Development Certificate (CDC).

There are two key benefits that you can take advantage of when lodging a CDC.

It’s faster
Lodging a CDC means you may be able to receive approval for your new secondary dwelling in as little as 20 days. This means you can go from lodgement to organising construction in under a month.

It’s easier
Lodging a CDC allows you to combine the planning and construction approval into one process. This means you can streamline your approval and get your project up and running sooner.

So if you’re looking to make the process as smooth as possible, CIVAC should be the first call you make. Your CIVAC Project Manager will undertake the groundwork to ensure you understand all the necessary CDC requirements necessary to build a new secondary dwelling, and then work with you to plan your way forward.

HOW WE WORK WITH YOU

We gather the necessary documentation

While you’re not building as complicated a structure as an entire family home, you still need to gather the necessary documentation to receive approval for your new secondary dwelling.

Your CIVAC Project Manager will help you gather the necessary supporting documentation to lodge your CDC, which includes:

A set of plans and specifications for your new structure
A site plan of your property
Elevations showing the side views of the proposed works. This includes any cutting or filling
A list of building specifications, including building materials and construction methods
Any letters of consent for proposed works, like retaining walls
A complying Waste Management Plan (if required)
A complying Stormwater Management Plan (if required)
BASIX certificate

HOW WE WORK WITH YOU

We lodge your application

At CIVAC, our goal is to make it easy for you to undertake your application for a secondary dwelling. So we manage the process for you from start to finish.

After your Project Manager has gathered all the necessary certifications and supporting documentation, they’ll prepare and lodge your Complying Development Certificate to a Private Certifier, on your behalf.

At this point, there’s nothing else for you to do but sit back, relax, and wait for approval to arrive. Your CIVAC Project Manager will manage and monitor its progress for you. They’ll provide you with regular updates, and be the point of call to provide any additional information, or answer any queries or questions that the Private Certifier may have.

HOW WE WORK WITH YOU

The next steps

Once you receive approval for your CDC, we then get started on the next stage in the process, and your Project Manager will help you obtain a Notice to Commence from the same Private Certifier that issued your CDC.

This important document provides proof that you’ve made all the necessary payments to your local Council, and that you’ve got all the required certificates and licences in order to safely and legally build your secondary dwelling.

Once you receive your Notice to Commence, it’s time to get started.

At CIVAC, we work with a trusted panel of licensed builders that we can connect you with, and you can find the team that’s right for your project. We’ll even manage the construction project for you, too.

So if you’re looking for complete support to see your secondary dwelling come to life, get in contact with us today.

WHY BUILD A SECONDARY DWELLING?

It’s more than just a fancy extension for your house…

As well as the added benefit of more room on your property, there are many more upsides to building a secondary dwelling on your block:

It provides an independent space to live or work, without imposing on your main residence
It’s cheaper than building a new family home, or buying an investment property
Unlike undertaking large renovations or extensions on your current home, building a secondary dwelling is less likely to interrupt your day-to-day
life
It can increase the resale value of your property
A secondary dwelling provides you with the option to rent it out, either as long-term or short-stay accommodation, providing additional rental income

There are plenty of exciting benefits to building a secondary dwelling on your property.

At CIVAC, our goal is to help you bring your project to life. When you work with us, we ensure you’ve investigated every aspect of your secondary dwelling application, so your approval can go through swiftly and smoothly—and you can realise the benefits of your new space.

FAQ'S

Got questions about approval for your secondary dwelling? We’ve got answers.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.