Do I need a Development Application?

Development means:
a) the use of land, and
b) the subdivision of land, and
c) the erection of a building, and
d) the carrying out of a work, and
e) the demolition of a building or work, and
f) any other act, matter or thing referred to in section 26 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act that is controlled by an environmental planning instrument, but does not include any development of a class or description prescribed by the regulations for the purposes of this definition.

Generally, all development requires approval following the submission of a development application. However, some minor developments may be exempt or complying and some specific developments require an activity approval.

For information on what building and development works that may be carried out without the need for any approval and those that require Development Approval, Complying Development or Activity Approvals.

SEPP (Exempt and Complying Development Codes) 2008