BUILT SMART TOWN PLANNING
Exempt Development Advice
Sometimes the answer is: you don’t need approval
Exempt development is minor work that needs no planning approval at all, provided it meets the Codes SEPP standards. We confirm whether your works qualify – in writing – before you spend money on applications you may not need.
SEO/AI under the hood (amended per review actions 2 & R4): exact-match H1 restored per audit 2.1 – the personality line survives as the subhead · URL /services/certification/ per the audit keyword map · meta description: “Principal Certifier Appointment, Construction & Occupation Certificates and Complying Development (CDC) from one specialist, ISO 9001-certified team – approval to occupation.” (adopted from Option 1’s written set) · the “Quick Answer” block is deliberately extractable – it’s the sentence we want ChatGPT/Gemini/AI Overviews to quote · FAQPage + Service schema · 800+ words at full build · division-coded breadcrumb.
What we check
- Your proposal against the exempt development provisions of the Codes SEPP
- Lot constraints and overlays that can quietly disqualify otherwise-exempt work
- Written advice you can rely on with council, your certifier, insurer or purchaser
- If not exempt: the cheapest lawful pathway that fits – usually CDC or DA
Why written advice matters
‘The builder said it was exempt’ resolves nothing in a dispute. A documented exempt-development position protects you at sale, with insurers, and if council comes asking.
Every engagement runs through our quality system – consistent documentation, tracked turnarounds, nothing dropped.
Recent work

Exempt Development Advice – Inner West SydneyCase study: challenge, approach, outcome, metrics

Exempt Development Advice – Sutherland ShireCase study: tagged by service + suburb
Related services
Complying Development (CDC)
A fast-track approval pathway – and honest advice on whether your project qualifies.
→
Full Service Planning Advice
End-to-end planning advice – feasibility, controls analysis, pathway strategy and council negotiation.
→
Development Application Preparation
Complete, well-argued DAs – prepared, lodged and managed through to determination.
→