Farm stay accommodation in NSW is typically classified as eco-tourist facility or farm stay accommodation under the LEP and requires a DA in most cases. The applicable planning controls depend on the zone, the scale of the accommodation and the nature of the agricultural enterprise on the land.

Two land use categories in NSW planning law address shared residential accommodation: boarding houses and co-living housing. Both provide alternatives to standard residential flat buildings, but they are defined differently, attract different development standards and suit different project types.

A sex services premises is a defined land use under the Standard Instrument LEP. Development consent is required in zones where it is permissible, and the use is subject to specific development standards in addition to the standard DA assessment process.

A vehicle repair station requires a DA for change of use in most cases, and is typically only permissible in industrial and some commercial zones. Environmental considerations relating to waste oil, chemicals and stormwater are key assessment issues.

Short-term rental accommodation is regulated in NSW through a combination of planning controls, a mandatory Code of Conduct and a registration scheme. The rules differ depending on whether you are renting out your principal place of residence or an investment property.

Integrated development is development that requires a development consent from council and one or more approvals from other government agencies under separate legislation. The approvals are processed together through the one DA, but each agency makes its own decision.

Building without council approval is unlawful development under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979. Council has broad enforcement powers including orders to demolish, significant fines and the ability to take action in the Land and Environment Court.

A BIC is issued by council and provides assurance that council will not take action to have a building or part of a building demolished, altered or removed for a specified period. It does not legalise the works in the same way as a development consent, but it provides practical protection.

Gyms and fitness studios may be permissible in some industrial and commercial zones but the correct planning classification and zone permissibility must be confirmed before signing a lease or lodging a DA.

An Operational Plan of Management sets out the operational parameters of a use: hours, staffing, noise management, waste, access, safety and compliance measures. It provides council with confidence that the use will be appropriately managed over time.

Torrens title creates individual lots of land with defined boundaries, each independently owned. Strata title creates individual lots within a building or complex, with shared ownership of common areas through a strata scheme.

A Heritage Impact Statement is a document that assesses the potential impact of a proposed development on the heritage significance of a place. It is required for most DAs affecting heritage items or heritage conservation areas in NSW.

A beauty salon or nail bar is most commonly classified as a personal services business under the Standard Instrument LEP. A DA for change of use is typically required if the premises was not previously approved for this use.

To open a cafe or restaurant in NSW, you will need a DA for change of use (or confirmation that the premises already holds the appropriate consent), a Construction Certificate for any fit-out works, food business registration and, if applicable, a liquor licence.

In most cases, operating a food business from a commercial premises requires a DA for change of use if the premises was not previously approved for a food use. Food safety registration with council is a separate requirement.

A land use zone is a category assigned to land under the Local Environmental Plan that controls what uses are permitted and what development standards apply.

Permissibility refers to whether a particular land use or development activity is legally allowed on a given parcel of land under the applicable LEP and any relevant SEPPs.

A SEPP is a state-level planning instrument that sets planning policy on specific topics or development types. Where a SEPP conflicts with a council LEP or DCP, the SEPP generally prevails.

A DCP provides detailed guidance on how development should be carried out in a council area. It sits beneath the LEP in the planning hierarchy and cannot override it, but it plays a significant role in the assessment of most DAs.

An LEP is a statutory planning instrument made under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 that zones land and sets the fundamental development standards for each zone.

"Granny flat" is a colloquial term. "Secondary dwelling" is the correct planning and legal term used in NSW legislation, LEPs and SEPPs.

In most cases, a garage conversion to a habitable room requires either a CDC or a DA, and the converted space must comply with the Building Code of Australia (BCA) standards for habitable rooms.

A change of use occurs when a premises is proposed to be used for a purpose that is different to its current approved use. In most cases, a DA is required.

Health consulting rooms typically involve one or two health practitioners seeing patients by appointment. A medical centre is a larger facility with multiple practitioners and, in many cases, ancillary services.