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Granny Flat and Secondary Dwelling Certification

Fast CDC assessment for granny flats and secondary dwellings in Sydney. Sydney Wide Certifiers handles certification, inspections and OCs. Get a free eligibility check.

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Granny flats (secondary dwellings) are one of the most popular complying development projects in NSW, providing a cost-effective way to add accommodation, generate rental income or house family members. Under the Affordable Rental Housing SEPP (now consolidated into the State Environmental Planning Policy (Housing) 2021), secondary dwellings up to 60 square metres can be approved as complying development on lots of 450 square metres or more. Sydney Wide Certifiers specialises in granny flat CDCs, offering fast approvals and competitive pricing.

What's Included

Eligibility assessment against the Housing SEPP secondary dwelling provisions, including lot size requirements (minimum 450 sqm), maximum floor area (60 sqm), building height limits, setback requirements, car parking, private open space and landscaped area.

CDC assessment and issue under the Housing SEPP and Codes SEPP provisions, with full BCA/NCC Volume Two compliance review for the secondary dwelling.

Structural assessment review for the proposed construction method — whether conventional slab-on-ground with timber or steel frame, or a relocatable/prefabricated building — ensuring compliance with AS 2870, AS 1684 and the relevant BCA structural provisions.

BASIX compliance verification for the secondary dwelling, which requires its own BASIX certificate separate from the principal dwelling.

Assessment of services connections including sewer, water, stormwater and electrical, and coordination with Sydney Water requirements where new connections are needed.

Principal Certifier services and all mandatory inspections through to issue of the Occupation Certificate.

How It Works

01

Contact us with the property address for a free preliminary eligibility check. We verify lot size, zoning, site constraints and CDC exclusions.

02

Once eligibility is confirmed, submit the formal CDC application with architectural plans, structural engineering, BASIX certificate and any required reports (such as a geotech report if soil conditions are uncertain).

03

We assess the application against the Housing SEPP and BCA/NCC provisions and issue the CDC, typically within 7–10 business days.

04

As Principal Certifier, we inspect all mandatory stages — footings, slab, frame, waterproofing and final — coordinating directly with your builder.

05

Once construction is complete and all inspections are passed, we issue the Occupation Certificate so the granny flat can be lawfully occupied.

Why Choose Sydney Wide Certifiers

Granny flat CDCs are our bread and butter — we process high volumes and know the provisions inside out, meaning fewer RFIs and faster turnarounds.

We work with all granny flat construction methods including traditional builds, kit homes, prefabricated modular buildings and relocatable structures.

Competitive pricing specifically structured for secondary dwelling projects, with package options covering CDC, inspections and OC.

Free preliminary eligibility check — confirm your site qualifies before spending money on plans.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the maximum size for a granny flat approved as Complying Development?
Under the State Environmental Planning Policy (Housing) 2021 (which consolidated the former Affordable Rental Housing SEPP), a secondary dwelling can have a maximum floor area of 60 square metres when approved as complying development. This 60 sqm limit includes all internal habitable space but does not include covered outdoor areas like verandahs or porches (provided they are unenclosed). The principal dwelling lot must have a minimum area of 450 square metres. Some councils have adopted local provisions that permit larger secondary dwellings through the DA pathway, but the 60 sqm limit applies specifically to the complying development pathway.
Can I rent out a granny flat?
Yes. A lawfully approved secondary dwelling with a valid Occupation Certificate can be rented to any tenant — there is no requirement in NSW for the occupant to be a family member, despite the colloquial name 'granny flat'. The secondary dwelling is a self-contained dwelling with its own kitchen, bathroom, bedroom and living space, and can be rented on the private rental market. However, the secondary dwelling cannot be separately subdivided from the principal dwelling under the Housing SEPP provisions, meaning both dwellings remain on a single lot with a single title.
Does my granny flat need its own separate utilities and metering?
The secondary dwelling must have its own functional kitchen, bathroom and laundry facilities, but it can share utility connections with the principal dwelling. Separate electricity, water and gas metering is not legally required, though many owners choose to install separate sub-meters for practical purposes (particularly for rental arrangements). A new sewer connection or extension to the existing sewer system may require a section 73 compliance certificate from Sydney Water. Stormwater from the secondary dwelling must be managed in accordance with the consent conditions and council requirements, which may involve connection to the existing stormwater system or on-site detention.

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