Building and construction approvals

You will need to obtain a construction certificate before you commence any building works.

You also need to appoint someone to oversee the project during building or construction.

Construction certificates

Construction certificates confirm that the construction plans and development specifications:

  • are consistent with the development consent
  • comply with the Building Code of Australia and 
  • comply with any other council requirements.

Your options are to:

  • use our certification service
  • appoint a private certifier.

Our certifiers are professionally qualified, experienced and competetively priced. We bring a specialist knowledge of the local area and a strong relationship with other departments in the Council.

To use our certification service, submit your application form and any attachments through the NSW Planning Portal. You can do this at the same time as you lodge your development application.

NSW Planning Portal

You will need to create a NSW Planning Portal account, or MyServiceNSW account.

Fees are calculated based on the value of construction. Contact us for an estimate of the fee.

NOTE: The NSW Government has undertaken a review of compliance levies charged by Councils, and as such, Councils are no longer permitted to charge compliance levies.

Subsequently, any outstanding Environmental Levies (compliance levies) due to Bayside Council for current Development Consents will not be collected. This legislative amendment overrides any DA condition relating to the payment of Environmental Levies.

Principal certifier

You must appoint a principal certifying authority (PCA) before you commence building or construction. The PCA will carry out inspections to:

  • check that your project complies with the development consent/complying development certificate and the construction certificate
  • check that your project complies with the Building Code of Australia
  • notify your neighbours of the intent to start work and address community concerns regarding the works.

The PCA will also issue your Occupancy Certificate upon completion.

Your options are to:

  • use our certification service
  • appoint a private certifier.

Our certifiers are professionally qualified, experienced and competitively priced. We bring a specialist knowledge of the local area and a strong relationship with other departments in the Council.

To use our certification service, submit your application form at a customer service centre.

Fees are calculated based on the value of construction. Contact us for an estimate of the fee.