Gain exemption from requiring development consent for heritage works
Some minor works may be carried out to heritage items or within heritage conservation areas without the need for a DA.
Project Status: When you need to do this
Some minor works may be carried out to heritage items or within heritage conservation areas without the need for a DA. However, you must apply for written confirmation that your works do not require consent.
In some instances, approval under part 5 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 may be required for the relevant works. Please seek pre-application advice from our relevant staff before submitting this application.
What you need to do
Determine if you are eligible for an exemption
- There a number of heritage conservation areas in the City of Sydney local area. The Sydney Local Environmental Plan 2012 details the boundaries of these areas in its list of heritage maps
- To identify whether buildings and sites in heritage conservation areas are contributory, neutral or detracting, review the development control plan sheet maps. Then select the building contributions map for the relevant area. The Sydney Development Control Plan 2012 further explains these terms.
- Our database of heritage item inventories and conservation areas identified in planning instruments is located on the Heritage Council of NSW website. While the information for many of the database entries is incomplete, preparing detailed inventory sheets is an ongoing process that is being undertaken as and when resources are available.
Apply to gain exemption
- Even works that don’t require a DA will still require an application form
- We will not consider requests for works that have already been commenced or completed.
- Please complete the form and email it with your supporting documents to [email protected]
- For general planning advice you can make an appointment to speak to a duty planner.
Before you start
The best way to conserve heritage items and places in heritage conservation areas is to carry out regular maintenance and repairs. Some types of minor works may also improve the serviceability of the place without negative impacts on heritage significance.
These works may include re-painting a building in an original or appropriate colour scheme, replacing rusty gutters and downpipes to match original details or restoring a front verandah to its original detail.
To make it easier for owners to maintain and repair their properties, the Sydney Local Environmental Plan (LEP) 2012 specifies certain development that may be carried out to heritage items or within heritage conservation areas without the need for a development application.
Works can only be carried out without a development application when
- the consent authority has been notified and given approval in writing
- they're minor, to maintain and not affect the significance of a heritage item, Aboriginal object, place of heritage significance or archaeological site or within a heritage conservation area
After you finish
If your request is approved, you will receive written confirmation that your works do not require consent. You cannot commence work until you receive this written confirmation from the City of Sydney and you should keep the confirmation for your records.
