Home Renovation

Internal alterations

Some internal alterations to existing dwellings and ancillary development may be carried as complying development. This includes:

• new openings
• doors and
• changes to the internal floor layout.

To be complying development, internal alterations must not result in any of the following:

• a change in the building classification under the Building Code of Australia (BCA)
• an additional separate dwelling
• the creation of an additional floor within a dwelling
• the erection or conversion of a basement for residential uses.

Please refer to these provisions in the State Policy for a full list of development standards relating to internal alterations as complying development.

External alterations

Some external alterations can be carried out as complying development to existing dwelling houses and ancillary development.

If the dwelling house is in a heritage conservation area (or a draft heritage conservation area) external alterations must:

• not be to a wall facing the primary wall or any wall that connects to a wall facing the primary road
• not result in an increase in the height of the dwelling.

External alterations to residential accommodation other than dwelling houses

External alterations to residential accommodation that is not classified as a dwelling house (and development ancillary to this residential accommodation), may also be carried out as complying development if the proposal meets the relevant standards set out in the State Policy.

However, external alterations to residential accommodation, “other than dwelling houses” may not be carried out in the following circumstances: if the land is in a heritage conservation area (or draft area); or on a flood control lot.

Please refer to these provisions in the State Policy for a full list of development standards relating to external alterations as complying development.

Attic conversions

The conversion of attic space in an existing house into a room may be carried out as complying development if the proposal meets the relevant standards set out in the State Policy.

All attic rooms must be contained within the existing roof space and the pitch of the existing roof cannot be changed.

Please refer to these provisions in the State Policy for a full list of development standards relating to external alterations as complying development.