What documents do I need for my Development Application (DA Commercial)

Lodging a Development Application (DA) in NSW? Use this comprehensive list to determine which documents you'll need to obtain and include with your lodgement.

If you need any help with this, reach out to us at StraightLine Planning. We are the trusted team in achieving commercial approvals via DA and CDC in NSW.

This is guidance only and doesn’t cover every possible circumstance.

Alterations and additions

Acid sulphate soils report if the proposal includes excavation at ground floor level
Acoustic report for additions to a pub, small bar or licensed restaurant trading past 10pm
Archaeological assessment if groundworks are proposed and the site contains any known archaeological remnants or artefacts
Clause 4.6 variation request if the proposal doesn't comply with a development standard contained in a relevant Local Environmental Plan and a variation is sought
Conservation management plan or strategy for work noted under relevant conservation clauses
Contamination remediation action plan if the proposal includes additions to an existing building and the site is contaminated from previous use(s)
Cost summary report if a cost is associated with the works
Elevations and sections if changes are proposed to the outside of the building
Environmental impact assessment for designated development
Floor plans if the proposal includes internal changes
Geotechnical report if the proposal includes a building addition and excavation below existing ground level
Heritage impact statement for work on a heritage item or in a heritage conservation area
Landscape plan for new landscaping or changes to existing landscaping
Photomontage for building additions over 3 storeys
Plan of management if the proposal is for the enlargement or intensification of a pub, nightclub, theatre, cinema, music hall, concert hall, dance hall, registered club or karaoke lounge.
Political donations and gifts disclosure for reportable donations and gifts made within 2 years prior to the development application
Preliminary public art plan for developments of urban renewal areas requiring a Master Plan or Stage 1 DA or development with a construction cost exceeding $10 million
Schedule of colours, materials and finishes for building additions over 3 storeys
Signage strategy or waiver request for sites that are heritage items or in a heritage conservation area and are strata titled or contain more than 4 business premises
Site plans
Statement of environmental effects
Structural engineers report if the proposal includes demolition/substantial demolition of a heritage item or a contributory building in a heritage conservation area
Survey plan
Waste management plan if the proposal includes building additions over 3 storeys

Business premises

Acoustic report if the proposal includes a gym in a building that contains or is close to a building that contains residential or other sensitive land uses
Conservation management plan or strategy for works noted under relevant conservation clauses
Contamination remediation action plan if the proposal is for a new use and the site is contaminated from previous use
Cost summary report if a cost is associated with the works
Elevations and sections if changes are proposed to the outside of the building
Environmental impact assessment for designated development
Fire safety schedule for a change of use with no building works
Floor plans
Heritage impact statement for work on a heritage item or in a heritage conservation area
List of category 1 fire safety provisions for a change of use with no buildings works
Plan of management if the proposal includes a gym in a building that contains or is close to a building that contains residential or other sensitive uses.
Political donations and gifts disclosure for reportable donations and gifts made within 2 years prior to the development application
Preliminary public art plan for developments of urban renewal areas requiring a Master Plan or Stage 1 DA or development with a construction cost exceeding $10 million
Signage strategy or waiver request if the site is either a heritage item, in a heritage conservation area or is on a site that is strata titled or contains more than 4 business premises
Site plans
Statement of environmental effects
Survey plan
Waste management plan

Cafe or restaurant

Acoustic report for a licensed venue that will trade past 10pm
Conservation management plan or strategy for works noted under relevant conservation clauses
Contamination remediation action plan for a new use and the site is contaminated from previous use
Cost summary report if a cost is associated with the works
Elevations and sections for changes to the outside of the building
Environmental impact assessment for designated development
Fire safety schedule for a change of use with no building works
Floor plans
Heritage impact statement for work on a heritage item or in a heritage conservation area
List of category 1 fire safety provisions for a change of use with no buildings works
Owners consent
Plan of management for a licensed venue that will trade past 10pm.
Political donations and gifts disclosure for reportable donations and gifts made within 2 years prior to the development application
Security management plan for a licensed venue that will trade past 10pm
Signage strategy or waiver request for sites that are heritage items or in a heritage conservation area and are strata titled or contain more than 4 business premises
Site plans
Statement of environmental effects
Survey plan
Waste management plan

Office premises

Air quality impact assessment report if the proposal includes a new building, is in close proximity to development that could affect or be affected by proposed development
Clause 4.6 variation request if the proposal doesn't comply with a development standard contained in a relevant Local Environmental Plan and a variation is sought
Competitive design process report for proposals that have gone through this channel
Conservation management plan or strategy for works noted under relevant conservation clauses
Contamination remediation action plan if the proposal includes a new building or additions to an existing building and the site is contaminated from previous use
Cost summary report if a cost is associated with the works
Elevations and sections if changes are proposed to the outside of the building
Environmental impact assessment for designated development
Fire safety schedule for a change of use with no building works
Flood risk management report for a new building on land that is at or below the flood planning level
Floor plans
Geotechnical report for a new building or a building addition and excavation below existing ground level is proposed
Heritage impact statement for works on a heritage item or in a heritage conservation area
Landscape plans for new landscaping or changes to existing landscaping, including the extent of proposed public domain works
List of category 1 fire safety provisions for a change of use with no building works
Local drainage management plan for a new building on a site over 1000sqm in the Fowlers Creek Catchment Area or over 1800sqm in other catchments
Photomontage for a new building or building additions over 3 storeys
Political donations and gifts disclosure for reportable donations and gifts made within 2 years prior to the development application
Preliminary public art plan for developments of urban renewal areas requiring a Master Plan or Stage 1 DA or development with a construction cost exceeding $10 million
Public domain cross sections through driveway and building entrances
Schedule of colours, materials and finishes if the proposal includes a new building or building additions over 3 storeys
Signage strategy or waiver request for sites that are heritage items or in a heritage conservation area and are strata titled or contain more than 4 business premises
Site plans
Statement of environmental effects
Stormwater drainage concept plan
Structural engineers report if the proposal includes demolition/substantial demolition of a heritage item or a contributory building in a heritage conservation area
Survey plan for new buildings or building additions at ground floor level, including the public domain on all frontages
Traffic report for building additions or a new building with floorspace over 1000sqm
Voluntary planning agreement if the proposal seeks bonus floorspace that requires the provision of community infrastructure and/or dedication of land to the City of Sydney
Waste management report

Pub

Acoustic report
Conservation management plan or strategy for work noted under relevant conservation clauses
Cost summary report if a cost is associated with the works
Elevations and sections for changes to the outside of a building
Environmental impact assessment for designated development
Fire safety schedule for a change of use with no building works
Floor plans
Heritage impact statement for works on a heritage item or in a heritage conservation area
List of category 1 fire safety provisions for a change of use with no building works
Plan of management
Political donations and gifts disclosure for reportable donations and gifts made within 2 years prior to the development application
Security management plan
Signage strategy or waiver request for sites that are heritage items or in a heritage conservation area and are strata titled or contain more than 4 business premises
Site plans
Statement of environmental effects
Survey plan
Waste management plan

Small bar

Acoustic report
Conservation management plan or strategy for work noted under relevant conservation clauses
Contamination remediation action plan if the proposal includes a new building or additions to an existing building and the site is contaminated from previous use
Cost summary report if a cost is associated with the works
Elevations and sections for changes to the outside of a building
Environmental impact statement for designated development
Fire safety schedule for a change of use with no building works
Floor plans
Heritage impact statement for works on a heritage item or in a heritage conservation area
List of category 1 fire safety provisions for a change of use with no building works
Plan of management
Political donations and gifts disclosure for reportable donations and gifts made within 2 years prior to the development application
Security management plan
Signage strategy or waiver request for sites that are heritage items or in a heritage conservation area and are strata titled or contain more than 4 business premises
Site plans
Statement of environmental effects
Survey plan
Waste management plan

Retail

Conservation management plan or strategy for work noted under relevant conservation clauses
Contamination remediation action plan if the proposal includes a new building or additions to an existing building and the site is contaminated from previous use
Cost summary report if a cost is associated with the works
Economic impact statement
Elevations and sections for changes to the outside of a building
Environmental impact assessment for designated development
Fire safety schedule for a change of use with no building works
Floor plans
Heritage impact statement for works on a heritage item or in a heritage conservation area
List of category 1 fire safety provisions for a change of use with no building works
Photomontage for a new building or building additions over 3 storeys
Political donations and gifts disclosure for reportable donations and gifts made within 2 years prior to the development application
Preliminary public art plan for developments of urban renewal areas requiring a Master Plan or Stage 1 DA or development with a construction cost exceeding $10 million
Public domain cross sections through driveway and building entrances
Schedule of colours, materials and finishes if the proposal includes a new building or building additions over 3 storeys
Signage strategy or waiver request for sites that are heritage items or in a heritage conservation area and are strata titled or contain more than 4 business premises
Site plans
Statement of environmental effects
Stormwater drainage concept plan
Structural engineers report if the proposal includes demolition/substantial demolition of a heritage item or a contributory building in a heritage conservation area
Survey plan for new buildings or building additions at ground floor level, including the public domain on all frontages
Traffic report for building additions or a new building with floorspace over 1000sqm
Waste management plan

Takeaway food and drink premises

Conservation management plan or strategy for work noted under relevant conservation clauses
Contamination remediation action plan if the proposal includes a new building or additions to an existing building and the site is contaminated from previous use
Cost summary report if a cost is associated with the works
Elevations and sections if changes to the outside of a building
Environmental impact assessment for designated development
Fire safety schedule for a change of use with no building works
Floor plans
Heritage impact statement for works on a heritage item or in a heritage conservation area
List of category 1 fire safety provisions for a change of use with no building works
Political donations and gifts disclosure for reportable donations and gifts made within 2 years prior to the development application
Signage strategy or waiver request for sites that are heritage items or in a heritage conservation area and are strata titled or contain more than 4 business premises
Site plans
Statement of environmental effects
Survey plan
Waste management plan

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More info: Changes to NSW Legislation - Low & Mid Rise Housing