Frequently Asked Questions

1. When is Development Approval required?
2. Where do I get an application form from?
3. Do I need to pay fees/ How do I calculate my fees?
4. What zone is my property in?
5. Will my application require public notification?
6. What information do I need to submit with my application?
7. How long will it take to receive a decision?
8. Who will make the decision?
9. What role does the Development Assessment Panel (DAP) have in the determination of an application?
10. What was the outcome of Development Assessment Panel (DAP) meeting?

1. When is Development Approval required?

If you are intending to undertake any of the following activities you will need to obtain Development Approval from Council before commencing the work:

● Demolish, construct, add or alter a building;
● Erect a sign;
● Change the use of a property;
● Any tree damaging activity to a significant tree
● any external alteration (and in some case also internal alterations) of a listed heritage item;
● divide or alter the boundary of an allotment

Your application may require one or more consents to be obtained before you can proceed with your proposal including Provisional Development Plan Consent, Provisional Building Rules Consent, Public Space Encroachment Consent and Land Division Consent.

2. Where do I get an application form from?

An application form can be requested through the Customer Service Centre or it can be found online in the Resources & Links page.

3. Do I need to pay fees/ How do I calculate my fees?

Fees are required for all development applications. For a more detailed summary of what fees are applicable please refer to the information guide "Development Application Fees".

4. What zone is my property in?

All land within the city is designated a "precinct" by Council's Development Plan. These precincts describe the type of development that is appropriate through a Desired Future Character statement, various objectives and principles of development control. The Customer Service Centre can provide basic precinct information. Council's Development Plan can be accessed via the Planning SA web site.

5. Will my application require public notification?

Council's Development Plan outlines when an application requires public notification. For a more detailed summary of the public notification process, please refer to the Information Guides Public Notification and your role.

6. What information do I need to submit with my application?

All development applications require information to be submitted to enable assessment. This should at a minimum include a site plan, existing and proposed floor plans and elevations, certificate of title and a clear description of the proposed development. For more complex applications information such as streetscape elevations, perspective images, specifications and additional expert reports may be required.

» Development - Large Scale - Process and Checklist (PDF, 68Kb) or
» Development - Small Scale - Process and Checklist (PDF, 52Kb)

7. How long will it take to receive a decision?

The key to facilitating a quicker approval is to ensure that all of the relevant information outlined in the information guide Development - Large Scale - Process and Checklist (PDF, 68Kb) or Development - Small Scale - Process and Checklist (PDF, 52Kb) is provided. If the customer is unsure of what to provide, please contact the Development Assessment team on 8203 7185 for further advice. For most planning applications (excluding land division) there is a statutory time frame of 8 weeks, within which Council must make a decision. This time frame is extended where there is a need for additional information, public consultation and/or referral to a government agency like State Heritage Branch and the Environmental Protection Authority.

8. Who will make the decision?

For over 90% of applications, decisions are delegated to the administration. The remaining applications are determined by the Council's Development Assessment Panel.

Further information on the ACC Development Assessment Panel can be found on-line at the Development Assessment Panel page.

Development Assessment Panel

9. What role does the Development Assessment Panel (DAP) have in the determination of an application.

The Development Assessment Panel is a panel of Councillors and other qualified people that consider applications for Development Approval when the decision is not delegated to the ACC administration. Further information on the ACC Development Assessment Panel can be found on-line at the Development Assessment Panel page.

10. What was the outcome of Development Assessment Panel (DAP) meeting?

This information is available from the minutes of DAP meeting posted on the internet.
» Access the DAP Minutes

If the information is not posted to the web site please contact Development Assessment on 8203 7185.