Duplex & Dual Occupancy Approvals NSW

What’s involved:

This is the fast-track option, and we can issue CDCs quickly if your project ticks all the boxes.

What we need from you to get started:

• Buildcert application form
• Architectural plans
• Title Search, Deposited Plan and Instrument 88B (if applicable)
• Section 10.7 Planning Certificate

We’ll assess your eligibility and let you know if anything else is needed. You can also check out our Lodgement Checklist for dual occupancies to get ahead.

Who handles this:

While you’ll be pulling the documents together, Buildcert will guide you through the process, and we can also source any property documents that you might need.

What’s involved:

If your project doesn’t qualify for CDC, no sweat! It’ll need to go through council first for Development Consent, then to us for a Construction Certificate.

What we’ll need from you:

• Development Consent (from council)
• DA-stamped plans
• Buildcert application form

For more info, you can also check out our Application Forms & Lodgement Checklists for dual occupancies.

Who handles this:

While you’ll be pulling the documents together, Buildcert will guide you through the process, and we can also source any property documents that you might need.

We’ll prepare and lodge your application through the NSW Planning Portal. Our certifiers will assess the project in detail and carry out a site inspection if needed.

Dual occs can get complex with separating walls, services, driveways, and access points. If extra information is required, your certifier will issue a clear Request for Information (RFI) so you know exactly what to provide. And if your plans need adjustments, we’ll talk you through them so nothing slows you down.

You’ll get a clear set of requirements upfront, straightforward communication, and a team dedicated to your project. We’ll guide you through the added layers of a dual occ approval and keep your application moving.

Our team reviews all documentation, plans, and reports against the National Construction Code, planning legislation (for CDCs), DA conditions (for CCs) and other requirements that apply specifically to dual occupancy builds.

Once everything is finalised, we issue your Complying Development Certificate (CDC) or Construction Certificate (CC).

If there are pre-commencement conditions, like an owner-builder permit or Home Building Compensation Fund Insurance (HBCF), we’ll flag them clearly on your approval. Once sorted, we issue your Notice of Commencement. After that, it’s just a two-day wait before building can get underway.

Your approval sets out the component certificates we expect will be needed along the way, so you know exactly what’s required as the build progresses.

It will also outline every mandatory inspection needed for your project. It’s the Builder's responsibility to book them in, but we make bookings easy. Book before 3pm and we’ll be there the next day to keep things on track.

Our team will then carry out all mandatory inspections to make sure your build stays safe, compliant, and moving without delays.

For a dual occupancy, inspections typically include:

• Piers/Footings - prior to placement of concrete
• Slab - prior to placement of concrete
• Frame - prior to insulation and internal lining/plasterboard
• Fire Separating Wall - prior to insulation and internal linings
• Waterproofing - prior to internal wet area tiling
• Stormwater - prior to backfilling the discharge connection point
• Completion inspection

Once it’s all built, we’ll carry out the completion inspection, check off any last compliance docs, and issue your Occupation Certificate.

If you’re subdividing the block, our specialist subdivision team at Landcert handles the subdivision certification, working seamlessly with our Building Certifiers, so you’re set up to register titles with ease. It’s best to let us know upfront if subdivision certification is needed.