- In metropolitan areas, neighbours within 20 m must be told in writing at least 14 days before the CDC can be approved.
- They must be told again at least 7 days before work starts (2 days in rural, regional and release areas).
- You can't object to a CDC. The certifier only checks whether the plans meet fixed standards.
- If you think it doesn't meet the standards, you can raise that with the certifier or council.
Why a CDC works differently from a DA
With a development application (DA), the council weighs up the proposal, and neighbours can make submissions it must consider. With a complying development certificate, there's nothing to weigh up. The design either meets every standard in the Codes SEPP or it doesn't.
That's why the notice you get is information, not an invitation to comment. It's a deliberate trade-off: designs that fit the published rules get a faster decision, and the rules themselves are where the community has its say.
The two notices you'll get
| Before approval | Before work starts | |
|---|---|---|
| Who sends it | The certifier or council | The person building |
| Who gets it | Neighbours within 20 m of the development | Neighbours within 20 m of the lot boundary |
| How much notice | At least 14 days before approval (metropolitan areas) | At least 7 days (metropolitan); 2 days (rural, regional, release areas) |
| How | In writing: in person, letterbox or post. Every occupier in a block of units or dual occupancy | In writing |
| Can you object? | No | No, it's for information only |
In residential release areas and most rural and regional areas, the pre-approval notice isn't formally required, though it's recommended. For Pattern Book designs, the pre-approval notice is at least 7 days.
What you can actually do
- Ask to see the plans. You can ask the owner, though they don't have to show you. Many will, to keep the peace.
- Check the basics yourself. Is it two storeys or fewer? Does it look higher than 8.5 m? Is it obviously closer to your fence than the plans suggest? Our guide to the key standards explains the numbers.
- Raise a specific concern with the certifier. Their name is on the notice. "The rear wall looks 6 m from my fence and I understand it needs 8 m" gets more attention than "I don't like it".
- Contact council if building work doesn't match the approval, or if work starts without notice. Council can investigate and take compliance action.
- Keep a record. Dates, photos, copies of notices. If it ever goes further, you'll need them.
Can a CDC be overturned?
Yes, but it's rare and serious. A council can take a CDC to the Land and Environment Court if it believes the certificate was invalid, for example because the design never met the standards. In past cases, the court has ordered work to be demolished or fixed. See lessons from the court cases.
That's a council decision, not something a neighbour can force. But a clear, factual complaint is often how those cases start.
If you're the one building
- Your certifier sends the pre-approval notice. You send the notice before work starts. The Planning Portal has templates.
- Talk to the neighbours early. A friendly conversation and a look at the plans prevents most disputes.
- Build exactly what's approved. Changes on site need a modification before you build them.
Check your design in a minute
Enter your lot size and building dimensions. The free quick check tests height, storeys, setbacks and landscaped area against the Housing Code, clause by clause. No account needed.
Sources
- NSW Planning Portal, What to tell your neighbours (20 m; 14 days before approval in metropolitan areas; 7 days before work, or 2 days in rural, regional and release areas; information only).
- NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure, Complying development.
- HWL Ebsworth, Challenges to complying development certificates (courts can set aside invalid CDCs).
General information only, current at 9 October 2026. It is not legal, planning or certifier advice. Confirm with a registered certifier or your council.