Real case: a two-storey addition in Parramatta qualified as complying development. The owner chose the DA route "to be safe". Seventy days and a neighbour-notification round later, the same plans could have been a CDC in ~3 weeks. Pick the path by rules, not habit.
CDC vs DA — the 2026 comparison
**Complying Development (CDC)** · **Development Application (DA)**
Decision-maker · Private certifier or council · Council assessment officer
Typical timeline · **~20 days** (10 for Housing Pattern Book path) · **~70 days** average
Fees · ~ $3,000 – $15,000 (certifier) · ~ $5,000 – $30,000+ (council, scales with value)
Homeowner saving · up to **$15,000** vs DA on a house; ~$2,600 on renovations · —
Assessment basis · Codes SEPP compliance · LEP/DCP merit assessment
Neighbour notification · Generally no · Often yes
Source: NSW Planning — Complying development.
When can you use a CDC instead of a DA?
Decision flow (simple)
FAQ
Is a CDC faster than a DA in NSW?
Yes — a CDC can be issued in ~20 days (10 for the Housing Pattern Book pathway) versus a ~70-day average DA.
How much can complying development save?
Homeowners can save up to $15,000 building a house via CDC, and up to ~$2,600 on renovations, versus the DA route — plus weeks of holding cost.
Can a CDC be refused?
Yes — if it doesn't meet the Codes SEPP standards or the site is excluded, the certifier must refuse and the project goes to a DA.
Not sure whether your Sydney project is a CDC or a DA? giantA checks eligibility free — contact us.
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