Know your approval route before you commit
Every factory-built home needs approval, but the route depends on where it is. This summarises a secondary dwelling on an existing house lot. Your certifier or council confirms the route for each site.
- Building approval needed everywhere except NT land outside building control areas
- NSW uses a council DA and s68 approval, not a private certifier
- Indicative as at 29 October 2026
Building approval only
Accepted development where it meets the council scheme, otherwise a DA. Size set by council, commonly 50 m² or 60 m². Typically 2 to 4 weeks, or 6 to 12 weeks if a planning DA is needed.
Council DA and s68
Manufactured homes are approved by council, not a private certifier. Secondary dwelling typically 2 to 3 months or more. Complying development is available for some kit or site-built homes.
Building permit
Small second dwellings of up to 80 m² usually need no planning permit on lots of 300 m² or more, subject to overlays and title restrictions. A building permit is always needed. Typically 2 to 6 weeks.
Planning and building consent
Deemed-to-satisfy planning consent for secondary dwellings up to 70 m² and 2 bedrooms, then building consent. Typically about 3 to 6 weeks.
Building permit
Planning exemption is available where the home meets the deemed-to-comply standards. A building permit is always needed. Typically 10 to 25 business days.
Certificate or permit
Secondary residences may need no planning permit in main residential zones if they meet the standards. A Certificate of Likely Compliance or a building permit is needed. Typically 2 to 4 weeks.
DA for secondary residences
A development application is always needed for a secondary residence, then building approval from a licensed certifier. Typically 1 to 3 months for the DA, then 2 to 4 weeks.
Building permit in control areas
Permitted independent units may need no development permit if they meet the NT Planning Scheme. A building permit is needed inside building control areas only.
Size limits, approval types and timeframes change and depend on overlays, bushfire, flood and wind classification. Confirm with the certifier or council for each site before you order.
Check your site with a quote
Tell us your postcode and state and we will confirm the route for your block.