Granny Flat Rules in NSW — Everything You Need to Know
Granny flats in NSW are governed by the State Environmental Planning Policy (Affordable Rental Housing) and individual council DCPs. Buildana (Lic. 487805C) builds compliant granny flats across Western Sydney.
Size and Configuration Rules
Maximum internal floor area: 60 sqm (hard limit under the SEPP). Includes all rooms — bedrooms, living, kitchen, bathroom, laundry, hallway. Excludes covered outdoor areas (verandah, patio) if open on at least one side.
Minimum lot size: 450 sqm. One secondary dwelling per lot. Can be attached or detached from main house.
Setback and Design Rules
Front setback: behind the building line of the main house Side setback: 0.9m minimum Rear setback: 3m minimum Setback from main house (detached): 3m minimum Wall height: 3.8m maximum Overall height: 6m maximum Private open space: minimum 24 sqm per dwelling Car parking: 1 space per granny flat
Approval Pathways
CDC: Available for compliant designs. 10–15 business days via private certifier. $3,000–$5,000. No neighbour notification. ~85% of granny flat projects qualify.
DA: Required for heritage areas, flood zones, bushfire zones, or non-standard designs. 40–90 days via council. $3,000–$10,000.
Buildana manages the full approval process. Contact us for a free site assessment.
