Class 1a Building Regulations for Granny Flats & Homes
Council Regulations
Every site is different, we help you understand the approval pathway for your state or council before you buy.
New South Wales Approved Granny Flats (Class 1A)
If you're looking to build a fully council‑approved granny flat in NSW, here are the key requirements to be aware of:
- Minimum lot size for the CDC pathway is generally 450m²
- Maximum secondary dwelling size is generally 60m² (internal floor area)
- Usually limited to one secondary dwelling per lot, on the same site as the main dwelling
- Permitted in residential zones R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5, and some other zones where allowed under the LEP
- Common CDC setbacks used in practice are approximately 0.9m to side boundaries and 3m to the rear boundary
- CDC applications can be assessed by council or an accredited certifier; sites that don’t meet CDC requirements typically require a DA
NSW is one of the clearest states when it comes to granny flat approvals. That said, each site still needs to be checked for zoning compliance, setbacks, stormwater, services, easements, bushfire and flood constraints.
| REQUIREMENT | NUMBER / PATHWAY | NOTES |
|---|---|---|
| Max floor area | 60m² | Usually internal/total secondary dwelling floor area under the Housing SEPP. |
| Minimum lot size | 450m² | Common CDC requirement for secondary dwellings. |
| Typical side setback | 0.9m | Common single-storey CDC benchmark; confirm for height and site conditions. |
| Typical rear setback | 3m | Common CDC benchmark; easements/trees can increase constraints. |
| Approval pathway | CDC or DA | CDC for compliant sites; DA if variations or constraints apply. |
| Rental use | Allowed | NSW secondary dwellings can generally be rented separately. |
| PRODUCT | TYPE | APPROVAL | BEST FOR | TIMEFRAME | NOTES |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Classic Range (Traditional) | Built on-site | CLASS 1A APPROVED | Long-term rental / second dwelling | 12–16 weeks | Sydney Metro only |
| Smart Range (Modular) | Imported expandable homes | CLASS 1A APPROVED | Budget-conscious buyers | 10-12 weeks | Built to Australian standards |
| Signature Range (Modular) | Factory-built in Australia | CLASS 1A APPROVED | Premium finish | 8–10 weeks | High-quality modular |
Browse Our Range
Classic
The CHATEAU
2160m²
from $165,000
Classic
The COURT
2160m²
from $165,000
Classic
The COZY
2160m²
from $165,000
Classic
The DISPLAY
2160m²
from $165,000
Classic
The DUO
2160m²
from $165,000
Classic
The DWELLING
2160m²
from $165,000
Classic
The FLEX
2160m²
from $165,000
Classic
The HAVEN
2160m²
from $165,000
Classic
The HIDEAWAY
1160m²
from $165,000
Classic
The LOFT
1260m²
from $165,000
Classic
The NEST
2160m²
from $165,000
Classic
The NOOK
1160m²
from $165,000
Classic
The PAVILION
2160m²
from $165,000
Classic
The REFUGE
2160m²
from $165,000
Classic
The RETREAT
2160m²
from $165,000
Classic
The STUDIO
1160m²
from $165,000
Classic
The TREEHOUSE
2160m²
from $165,000
Classic
The VILLA
2160m²
from $165,000
Classic
The MODULE
3160m²
from $168,000
Classic
The VISTA
3160m²
from $168,000
Classic
The HOMESTEAD
4260m²
from $171,000
Classic
The RESIDENCE
4260m²
from $171,000
Smart
Flex 36
1136.74m²
from $145,000
Smart
Cove 60
2157.36m²
from $160,000
Smart
Haven 60
2157.36m²
from $160,000
Smart
Dwell 77
2177.7m²
from $170,000
Smart
Grove 77
2177.7m²
from $170,000
Smart
Sierra 77
3177.7m²
from $170,000
Signature
Cabin 36
1136.37m²
from $180,000
Signature
Ellis 44
2144.2m²
from $180,000
Signature
Vogue 34
1134.5m²
from $180,000
Signature
Atlas 60
2159.17m²
from $229,000
Signature
Forma 60
2159.17m²
from $229,000
Signature
Courtyard 80
3179.16m²
from $244,000
Signature
Nova 80
2179.16m²
from $244,000
Signature
Raven 80
3179.16m²
from $244,000