Don't design until you know the planning constraints
Every NSW design starts with the same questions: what's the zone, what overlays apply, what's the FSR, what's the height limit, can it use CDC, does the ADG apply, is the Stage 2 LMR catchment in play? Get the planning brief in 30 seconds so you can design with confidence — not redesign after the council pre-DA meeting.
What you assume vs what NSW planning actually does
Three common mismatches between assumption and NSW reality — and how our tools cover them.
“You design to the LEP FSR and height, expecting the DA to follow”
Reality: But the council DCP often imposes tighter setbacks, articulation, character or street-wall controls that aren't in the LEP. The DCP isn't legally binding the same way the LEP is, but pragmatically councils refuse non-compliant DAs. Our AI Planning Report flags both layers.
“You design an apartment building to the LEP HOB and FSR”
Reality: Then the planner tells you the Apartment Design Guide is mandatory under Housing SEPP cl 147 — and your floor plates fail solar, cross-ventilation, communal open space, deep soil. Run our ADG Check ($99) at concept stage so you can integrate the criteria into the design instead of bolting them on later.
“You design a single dwelling to the Codes SEPP Housing Code expecting CDC”
Reality: Heritage, BAL-FZ bushfire, flood storage, foreshore — any one of these excludes CDC entirely. Our Housing Code Check ($49) confirms eligibility before you start drafting.
NSW tools we recommend for nsw architects & designers
Each tool is positioned for your specific use case — the right one depends on how committed you are.
NSW AI Planning Report
Pre-design planning brief covering zone, FSR, HOB, applicable overlays, CDC pathway, ADG implications, recent reforms (LMR, TOD, in-fill bonus). Read in 5 minutes; saves weeks of redesign.
NSW Housing Code Check
Single-dwelling CDC eligibility against every Codes SEPP Part 3 standard. Tells you up front whether to design to the Code or commit to a DA pathway.
Dual Occupancy / LRHDC Check
Dual-occ / multi-dwelling assessment against Codes SEPP Part 3B (LRHDC) and the LEP/DCP. Covers the Housing SEPP cl 166 LMR Stage 1 override.
ADG Compliance Check
Apartment design assessment against all 9 Schedule 9 design principles + every ADG criterion in Parts 3 and 4. Catches the killer non-compliances early.
Ready to add planning intelligence to your work?
Spend $39-$99 on a planning brief before you draw a line. Saves weeks of redesign, integrates ADG / Codes SEPP / DCP requirements at concept stage, and gives you the planning evidence base for a pre-DA meeting.