← Back to Council & LGA
Metro NSW
Hornsby Shire Council
What owner-builders need to know before lodging with Hornsby Shire Council — the state-wide approval pattern that applies here, plus anything we've specifically verified about this council.
The general pattern — applies statewide
- 01You need council/certifier approval before building — either a Development Application (DA), assessed on merit, or a Complying Development Certificate (CDC), a faster path (can be approved within 28 days) if your project meets pre-set state standards exactly.
- 02A Construction Certificate must be issued before building work starts, confirming your plans comply with your DA/CDC conditions.
- 03A Principal Certifier must be appointed before construction begins — council itself or an accredited private certifier.
- 04Your council's DCP can add requirements on top of state-wide standards (stormwater/on-site detention rules, setbacks, tree preservation, heritage overlays) — this is exactly where "I followed the national standard" isn't automatically enough.
Specific to Hornsby Shire Council
Metro
Hornsby Shire Council publishes separate, specific pages for DAs, CDCs, Construction Certificates, and Critical Stage Inspections — a Principal Certifier must be appointed before work starts, and CDC applications are lodged electronically via the NSW Planning Portal.
General Guidance Only
Confirm your Principal Certifier, DA/CDC pathway, and any local DCP requirements directly with Hornsby Shire Council before relying on this page for your specific property.