A Complying Development Certificate can be a great way to fast-track your construction start date, but you’ll need everything in order before submitting your application. Here’s how to make sure it ticks all the boxes.
What is a Complying Development Certificate?
A Complying Development Certificate is an alternative to a Development Application and Construction Certificate. It’s ideal for straightforward projects that benefit from a fast-tracked approval process. Only councils and Accredited Certifiers like MBC can issue Complying Development Certificates.
Complying Development Certificates are limited to certain projects, particularly external and internal alterations in commercial, retail and industrial developments. The projects must comply with the Building Code of Australia (BCA) and satisfy all requirements of the State Environmental Planning Policy (Exempt and Complying Development Codes) 2008.
What are the benefits?
Complying Development Certificates can be issued relatively quickly and are more cost effective than a Development Application and Construction Certificate. In most instances, you are not required to notify neighbours of the development, which reduces the risk of any objections to your proposal.
How to fast-track your application
Under the fast-track development pathway, your Complying Development Certificate can be issued in as little as five days. Here’s how to make sure your application is approved without any problems.
Have the right documentation
The documentation you will need for a Complying Development Certificate depends on the type of building and work proposed, but generally you will need to provide architectural plans, engineering details, the annual fire safety statement (if applicable) for the building, and proof of payment of government levies.
If the proposed works are not permitted as Complying Development, you will need to lodge a Development Application with council and secure a Construction Certificate for the proposed works. These involve different requirements and processes, which may delay your construction start date.
Start early
It’s important to get in touch with our Accredited Building Certifiers early in the process, ideally during the design phase. We’ll review the project to see if it’s eligible for a Complying Development Certificate, and work backwards from the planned occupation date to identify certification milestones along the way.
This will give you a better understanding of what information you need at every stage of development, and help you address any small issues before they snowball and become a serious problem. While building certifications are just one of many things you need to consider, they are critical to the success of your project, so it’s worth starting early and thinking ahead.
Respect the process
The most successful projects give due regard to the process. This means considering the requirements and timeframes of third parties, such as Accredited Building Certifiers, Fire and Rescue NSW and local councils. It also involves taking the time to undertake critical inspections to assess compliance.
To make sure your project stays on track, try to avoid unrealistic timeframes, or focus on the ability to start and finish the project without considering the milestones in between. And don’t wait until the end of the project to address recommendations provided at the beginning.
To speak with one of our building certification consultants about a complying development certificate for your project, please get in touch.