Get approval to construct, repair or abolish a driveway to your property
Approval is needed to connect your driveway to a road.
Project Status: When you need to do this
A permit is needed before you build, repair or modify a residential or commercial driveway.
A residential driveway provides vehicle access for a single detached house. A commercial driveway provides vehicle access for premises such as:
- townhouse developments
- small shopping centres
- large shopping complexes
- business centres
- high-rise apartments.
Vehicle access to the property must already exist or have been approved in development consent.
What you need to do
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Download and complete the form
Ensure that all fields on the form have been filled correctly before lodging the application. Fields on the form marked with an asterisk (*) are mandatory.
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Prepare accompanying documents and drawings
Please attach a sketch and DA information that will assist the Driveways Officer with reviewing your application. These must be in digital form and comply with our digital requirements. Digital copies of applications must be supplied on a USB memory stick.
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Lodge your application
- Email [email protected]
- Mail: City of Sydney, GPO Box 1591, Sydney NSW 2001
- DX: 1251 Sydney
- In person: customer service centres.
The application will only be accepted if the correct fee is paid. Refer to ‘driveway charges’ if you are engaging a contractor to build it, or refer to the ‘restoration’ section if you nominate the City to build it.
Please note: Your driveway application is not permission to start building your driveway.
Before you start
Trees and utilities near driveways
You should plan the location of your driveway according to the required setbacks and clear of any utility services. Significant trees, traffic islands and stormwater pits cannot normally be moved to accommodate driveways.
You will need to contact the City's tree management team about whether you can remove or relocate a tree. The cost of any remedial works is at the property owners' expense.
If your driveway has been damaged by a tree or service authority trench, you can contact the City and we will repair the driveway at no cost to you.
Driveway building standards
When you design your driveway you need to consider gradients, road camber and alignment levels. The Sydney streets technical specifications provides developers and City staff with the standards to design and construct driveways in the local area.
The City's driveways coordinator can provide you with copies of drawings and specifications on request.
After you finish
When your driveway application is approved you can use your own contractor or accept the City's quote, which is supplied with the driveway application approval notice. You will also need a driveway road opening permit before work can begin. You will get a driveway road opening permit application with your quote.
If you use a contractor, the time it takes to build the driveway is negotiated between the contractor and the property owner.
If the City is nominated to build the driveway, we will contact you to arrange a meeting at the property to determine the extent of works required. A quote and agreement is then sent to you and when we receive payment, it can take up to 28 days.
Public domain approvals
Public domain works
Get approval for works on public landA public domain plan assessment is required to obtain or amend consent for works that impact on civic spaces and assets.Public domain works
Get approval for levels and gradients impacted by constructionObtain approval or amend a previous approval for levels and gradients, also known as determination of alignment levels.Public domain works
Get approval for Section 138 works on the public wayObtain or amend approval for works like installation of street furniture, minor footpath and kerb works, and street verge and tree planting.Public domain works
Get approval to connect to the City’s stormwater systemConnect a private stormwater drain to public stormwater drainage infrastructure.Public domain works
Get approval to erect temporary shoring or ground anchorsObtain or amend approval to erect shorting or ground anchors to support structures during construction or maintenance.Public domain works
Get approval to temporarily drain water into the City’s stormwater systemObtain or amend approval for dewatering and pumping out of rainwater from excavations at construction sites.Public domain works
Appoint the City as principal certifier and notify start of public domain subdivision worksAdvise council that you intend to commence public domain subdivision works (excluding building works) and are appointing City of Sydney as principal certifier.