Granny flat applications in Northern Beaches: CDC and DA statistics
84 secondary dwelling applications recorded in Northern Beaches Council since 2025. 51.2% (43 of 84) used the CDC (complying development) pathway. Median CDC processing time: 21 days.
Quick answer
Northern Beaches has received 84 secondary dwelling applications since 2025. 51.2% used the CDC pathway. Median CDC processing time is 21 days. Median self-reported CDC build cost is $200K. 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 Northern Beaches Council.
Total applications
84
Since 2025
CDC pathway
51.2%
43 of 84 applications
DA pathway
41 applications
41 decided
CDC median time
21 days
Submission to determination
DA median time
95 days
Lodgement to determination
Median build cost (CDC)
$200K
Self-reported at lodgement
Application volume is trending down (~37% projected decrease 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 | 21 days | 95 days |
| Median development cost | $200K | $248K |
| Average development cost | $217K | $783K |
| Application count | 43 | 41 |
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 Northern Beaches 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 34 | 30 | 64 |
| 2026 | 7 | 13 | 20 |
SEPP Housing 2021 eligibility requirements
These state-wide standards apply to all secondary dwellings in NSW, including those in Northern Beaches. 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 Northern Beaches received?
NSW Planning Portal records show 84 secondary dwelling applications in Northern Beaches Council since 2025. Of these, 43 used the CDC (complying development) pathway and 41 were lodged as Development Applications.
What percentage of granny flat applications in Northern Beaches use the CDC pathway?
51.2% of secondary dwelling applications in Northern Beaches 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 Northern Beaches?
The median processing time for secondary dwelling CDCs in Northern Beaches is 21 days from submission to determination. Individual timeframes vary based on documentation quality and certifier workload.
How much does a granny flat cost in Northern Beaches?
The median self-reported development cost for secondary dwelling CDCs in Northern Beaches is $200K. This figure is declared by applicants at lodgement and may not reflect final construction costs. DA-pathway applications report a median cost of $248K.
Can I build a granny flat in Northern Beaches?
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. Use the free eligibility checker linked below to check your specific address.
Check if your Northern Beaches property qualifies
Enter an address to check lot size, zoning, heritage, flood, and environmental overlays against SEPP Housing 2021 requirements.
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