✅ All States — Free Approval Tool
Granny Flat Approval Checker
Not sure what approval your granny flat needs? Select your state and answer a few yes/no questions — find out in under two minutes whether you need a CDC, DA, planning permit, or nothing at all.
✅ NSW · WA · VIC · QLD
✅ Free
✅ Under 2 Minutes
✅ No Sign-Up
Step 1 of 2
Select Your State
Each state has different approval rules — select yours to get the right questions.
How Granny Flat Approval Checker Works in Each State
Every state has a different approval pathway — here is a quick summary before you use the tool above.
| State | Approval Type | Max Size | Who Approves | Typical Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NSW | CDC or DA | 60 sqm (CDC) | Private certifier (CDC) or Council (DA) | 10–20 days (CDC) / 40–120+ days (DA) |
| WA | Building Permit Only | 70 sqm | Private certifier — no planning approval needed if R-Codes compliant | Up to 10 business days |
| VIC | Building Permit Only or Planning Permit | 60 sqm (permit-free) | Building surveyor (permit-free) or Council (planning permit) | Weeks (building permit) / Months (planning permit) |
| QLD | Accepted Development or Development Approval | 80 sqm (Brisbane) | Building certifier (accepted) or Council (DA) | Weeks (accepted) / Months (DA) |
Ready to Talk to a Builder?
Whether you need a CDC, DA, or just a building permit — a qualified granny flat builder can guide you through the approval process.
Get Free Builder Quotes →Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about granny flat approvals across NSW, WA, VIC and QLD.
A CDC (Complying Development Certificate) is approved by a private certifier — typically in 10–20 business days — when your property meets all NSW SEPP requirements. A DA (Development Application) goes through your local council and typically takes 40–120+ days. CDCs are faster and cheaper but require your property to tick every SEPP box. If any requirement is not met — wrong zone, lot too small, heritage listed — you need a DA. Use the Approval Checker above to find out which pathway applies to you.
No — under R-Codes 2022 reforms, planning approval is no longer required for ancillary dwellings (granny flats) up to 70sqm on residentially zoned land in WA, provided all R-Code setback and siting requirements are met. You will still need a Building Permit from a private certifier — which takes up to 10 business days. Read the WA granny flat requirements guide for full details.
In most cases no — under VIC's 2023 small second dwelling reforms (Amendment VC253), granny flats up to 60sqm on lots of 300sqm or more no longer require a planning permit, provided there are no flooding, environmental, bushfire or heritage overlays. You will still need a Building Permit from a registered building surveyor. If any overlay applies or the build exceeds 60sqm, a planning permit from council is required. Read the VIC granny flat requirements guide for more.
In Brisbane, secondary dwellings up to 80sqm that meet Brisbane City Plan criteria are classified as Accepted Development — no planning approval is required. You will need Building Approval from a private certifier. If the build exceeds 80sqm, is more than 20m from the main house, or does not meet setback requirements, a Development Application (DA) through council is required. Note that QLD council rules vary significantly outside Brisbane — always check with your specific local council. Read the QLD granny flat requirements guide for more.
Yes — but you will need a Development Application (DA) or planning permit regardless of state. Heritage-listed properties and those in heritage conservation areas cannot use fast-track CDC or permit-free pathways in any state. The DA must be assessed against heritage guidelines and will typically require a heritage impact statement prepared by a heritage consultant. Processing times are longer and outcomes less certain than standard applications.
Approval timelines vary by state and pathway. NSW CDC: 10–20 business days via private certifier. NSW DA: 40–120+ days via council. WA Building Permit: up to 10 business days. VIC Building Permit (permit-free): a few weeks. VIC Planning Permit (if required): 2–6 months. QLD Building Approval (accepted development): a few weeks. QLD DA (if required): several months. Builder delays and council backlogs can extend all timelines — use our Build Timeline Estimator to model your full project schedule.
No. The Approval Checker provides indicative guidance only, based on publicly available state planning rules as of 2026. Results are not legal or planning advice. Council rules and overlays vary significantly by property — always confirm your specific approval pathway with a licensed certifier, town planner or your local council before proceeding with any build.