Architect's Initial 7 Point Controls Check
Before any design work begins, Adam checks 7 key planning controls for your property, so the advice you receive is grounded in what’s actually possible.
Adam Pressley FRAIAPrincipal & Nominated Architect NSW #6007
Every new project starts with an Initial Controls Check. These are the planning rules and site conditions that shape what can be built — and understanding them early avoids costly surprises later. This 7-point check is included in our Initial Service preparation and completed before your on-site meeting.
Many of the items below — such as Flood Prone Land, Bushfire Prone Land, and Floor Space Ratio — will require more detailed investigation further into the process. This check is a starting point, not a full assessment. Bookmark this page for easy reference.
1Initial Check
Property details
- Address
- Contact details
- Property description
- Site area
- Purchase date
Purchase price may also be useful for calculations around 'overcapitalising' — but this is usually covered in the Initial Service meeting itself.
2Initial Check
Initial brief
- General description of work proposed
For example: upper level addition with rear extension, pool and basement garage.
3Initial Check
Documents
- Contract of sale
- Planning Certificate (Section 10.7)
- Surveys
- Title Search
- Sewer diagram
- Other relevant documents
4Initial Check
ePlanning controls
- Lot / Section / Plan
- Council area
- Land zoning
- Minimum lot size
- Floor Space Ratio (FSR)
- Maximum height
- Heritage / Conservation overlay
- Scenic Protection
- Acid Sulphate Soils
- Riparian Lands & Watercourses
- Terrestrial Biodiversity
- Environmentally Sensitive Land
- Local Environmental Plan (LEP)
- Development Control Plan (DCP)
5Initial Check
Site issues
- Bushfire Prone Land
- Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) rating
- Flood Affected
- Flood Planning Level (FPL)
- Landslide Risk Land
- Environmentally Sensitive Land
- Scenic Protection Land
- Terrestrial Biodiversity
- Site burdens — covenants, easements, rights of way
6Initial Check
Exempt & Complying Development
- Is CDC allowed? — Check the S10.7 certificate
Possible Part 3 Housing Code issues:
- Maximum 2 storey building
- Site area greater than 200 sqm
- Primary street frontage greater than 6m
- Not in a heritage conservation area
- Not on land identified as BAL 40 or FZ
- Not in an environmentally sensitive area
- Not in an Acid Sulfate class 1 or 2 area
- Not a foreshore property
- Tree removal not possible for some trees
- Could other SEPPs apply? (e.g. Affordable Rental Housing)
Exempt & Complying Development Codes CDC Document Checklist Apply online for a CDC
7Initial Check
Summary
- Final comments including the most relevant issues or items that most restrict development
"Understanding the controls before we meet means we spend your time on strategy and design — not working out what's allowed while you're sitting across the table."
Adam Pressley — Fellow AIA, NSW Registered Architect #6007
Related