Granny flat applications in Kempsey: CDC and DA statistics
7 secondary dwelling applications recorded in Kempsey Shire Council since 2024. 0% (0 of 7) used the CDC (complying development) pathway.
Quick answer
Kempsey has received 7 secondary dwelling applications since 2024. Under SEPP Housing 2021, secondary dwellings are permitted on lots of at least 450 m² in R1, R2, R3, and RU5 zones. Source: NSW Planning Portal open data as of 2026-06-14.
Headline statistics
The following data is sourced from the NSW Planning Portal open data API, generated on 2026-06-14. It covers all secondary dwelling Development Applications and Complying Development Certificates lodged in Kempsey Shire Council.
Total applications
7
Since 2024
CDC pathway
0%
0 of 7 applications
DA pathway
7 applications
7 decided
CDC median time
N/A
Submission to determination
DA median time
101 days
Lodgement to determination
Median build cost (CDC)
N/A
Self-reported at lodgement
Application volume is trending up (~200% projected increase vs 2025).
CDC vs DA pathway split
A Complying Development Certificate (CDC) is issued by a private certifier when a property meets all SEPP Housing 2021 standards. A Development Application (DA) goes through council assessment and is required when the property has constraints like heritage listing, flood overlay, or environmental sensitivity.
CDC vs DA pathway split
All CDC records in the NSW Planning Portal have status “Approved” — rejected CDC applications are not published in the open dataset. DA records show status “Determined” for all decided applications — the portal does not distinguish between approved and refused DAs.
Processing times and costs
| CDC pathway | DA pathway | |
|---|---|---|
| Median processing time | N/A | 101 days |
| Median development cost | N/A | $205K |
| Average development cost | N/A | $178K |
| Application count | 0 | 7 |
Cost of development is self-reported by applicants at lodgement and may not reflect actual construction costs. Processing time outliers (>365 days for CDCs, >730 days for DAs) are excluded from median calculations.
Year-by-year breakdown
Secondary dwelling application volumes in Kempsey by year, split by pathway. NSW Planning Portal reporting became mandatory for all councils from 1 July 2021, so earlier years may have incomplete data.
Applications by year
| Year | DAs | CDCs | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| 2025 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| 2026 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
SEPP Housing 2021 eligibility requirements
These state-wide standards apply to all secondary dwellings in NSW, including those in Kempsey. Meeting all standards qualifies a property for the CDC (complying development) pathway.
Minimum lot size
450 m²
Maximum floor area
60 m²
Permitted zones
R1, R2, R3, RU5
Rear setback
3 m (SEPP minimum)
Side setback
0.9 m (SEPP minimum)
Maximum height
8.5 m (2 storeys)
Properties with heritage listing, flood overlays, biodiversity values, or acid sulfate soil classifications are excluded from the CDC pathway and require a Development Application. See our full eligibility guide for details on each exclusion.
Frequently asked questions
How many granny flat applications has Kempsey received?
NSW Planning Portal records show 7 secondary dwelling applications in Kempsey Shire Council since 2024. Of these, 0 used the CDC (complying development) pathway and 7 were lodged as Development Applications.
What percentage of granny flat applications in Kempsey use the CDC pathway?
0% of secondary dwelling applications in Kempsey used the CDC pathway. CDCs are processed by private certifiers and are typically faster than council DAs.
How long does a granny flat CDC take in Kempsey?
Insufficient CDC data is available for Kempsey to report a reliable median processing time.
How much does a granny flat cost in Kempsey?
Insufficient cost data is available for Kempsey. Cost of development figures are self-reported by applicants at lodgement.
Can I build a granny flat in Kempsey?
Under SEPP Housing 2021, secondary dwellings are permitted in R1, R2, R3, and RU5 zones on lots of at least 450 m². The property must not be a heritage item, in a heritage conservation area, or affected by certain environmental overlays. Check your property at planning.nsw.gov.au.
Check if your Kempsey property qualifies
Enter an address to check lot size, zoning, heritage, flood, and environmental overlays against SEPP Housing 2021 requirements.
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