Checker
Do I need council approval for my deck?
Answer a few plain-English questions about your deck and your block, and this checker tells you which NSW approval pathway it most likely falls under: exempt development (no approval needed), a fast-track CDC, or a full DA.
Whatever the pathway, we handle it. We design the deck, prepare the plans and lodge any CDC or DA for you, as part of the job.
Book a free site visitThis checker covers the common case: a deck attached to a house on its own lot, with no roof over it. Freestanding decks, dual occupancies, strata lots, pool decks (pool barrier rules apply) and decks over easements or sewer mains follow different rules, so for those, talk to us instead of relying on a quiz.
Approval basics
- What is exempt development?
- Exempt development is building work that needs no approval at all, because it sits within a set of standard limits on size, height, setbacks and the land itself. A low, open deck of 25 square metres or less, kept off the boundaries and behind the front of the house, is the classic example. Meet every rule and you can simply build.
- What is a CDC (Complying Development Certificate)?
- A CDC is the fast-track approval. When a deck does not qualify as exempt but still meets the standard rules in the Housing Code, an accredited certifier can issue a combined planning and construction approval without a full council assessment. It needs proper scaled plans and supporting documents, and is usually the quickest approval path for a raised or larger deck.
- How long does a DA take?
- Longer than a CDC, because a council planner assesses your specific proposal rather than checking it against standard rules. The actual time depends on your council, how complete the application is, and the site. The best way to keep a DA moving is a clean, complete set of plans and documents from the start, which is the part we handle.
- Can Deck Hero handle the approval for me?
- Yes, end to end. We design the deck, draw the plans to scale, work out whether it is exempt, CDC or DA, prepare the supporting documents and lodge the application on the NSW Planning Portal on your behalf. One team handles design, approval and the build.
The full picture lives in Deckopedia: do you need council approval for a deck in NSW and how to apply for a DA or CDC.
Want the pathway confirmed properly?
Tell us about your place and we'll check the approval path against your lot's planning controls, design the deck and handle the paperwork, one team start to finish.