Sydney council rules and permits

NSW secondary dwelling starting points

New South Wales usually calls a granny flat a secondary dwelling: a self-contained dwelling within, attached to or separate from the principal dwelling on the same site. Secondary dwellings are permitted in R1–R5 residential zones and may be permitted elsewhere under the local environmental plan.

A project may use complying development only when every applicable requirement is met. The NSW Government identifies a 450 m² minimum lot for the usual complying-development pathway, with a limited exception where the secondary dwelling is entirely within an existing dwelling house. If complying development is unavailable, a council development application may still be possible.

Read the NSW Government secondary dwellings guidance ↗

Find your Sydney council

Sydney contact details are sourced from the NSW Office of Local Government directory. Confirm current contact channels, planning controls and approval requirements with the relevant council.

This guide is general information, not planning, legal or building advice. NSW approval pathways can depend on the site, zoning, local environmental plan, development control plan and the type of proposal.