General Enquiries
Development and Building General Customer Enquiries page
Do I need Council approval?
Some building and development that has minimal environmental impact is referred to as exempt development (e.g. small fences, barbeques). If it meets pre-defined requirements development consent is not required.
To check if a proposed building or development is exempt you need to know your property zoning. If you don't know what the zoning of your property is, you can obtain this information from our property enquiry service.
Description and Objectives of property zonings are also available from our zoning information page, this will also tell you whether the zoning is governed by the Gosford Planning Scheme Ordinance or Interim Development Order 122.
What is a Development Application (DA)?
The development application is a request for permission to carry out development. More information is available from the Development Application information page.
What is a Construction Certificate (CC)?
If your proposed development involves building or subdivision you will need to obtain a Construction Certificate (CC). More information is available from the Construction Certifcate information page.
How to lodge a Development Application?
What are the objectives of the different zones?
What building and development is happening in the Gosford City area?
Visit Councils on-line development application enquiry service to obtain information on currently advertised and recent approvals and decisions on development applications.
What is the maximum height for a front and side fence?
Fencing guidelines for properties NOT in Zone No. 2(f), 4(a), 4(b), 4(c), 4(d), 5(a), 5(d), 5(e), 6(a), 6(b), 6(c), 6(d), 6(e) or 9(a) can be found in the planning instruments (GPSO and IDO 122) document gallery.
What are the requirements for swimming pool fencing?
The Safewaters website contains useful information on pool safety http://www.safewaters.nsw.gov.au/fencepools.htm
My neighbour does not want to replace the fence. What do I do?
Replacement of fences between neighbors is a shared cost as set out in the Dividing Fences Act,1991. Up to date information on the Dividing Fences Act,1991 can be obtained from the department of lands web site.
What you need to know when Council is the Principal Certifying Authority.
This information details the obiligations of Council, owners, builders and applicants when Council has been nominated as the Principal Certifying Authority.
Becoming an Owner Builder
If the work is not undertaken by a licensed builder, an owner builder permit is required. Owner builder work is any work (including supervision and co-ordination) involved in the construction of, or alteration, repairs or additions to, a dwelling where the market cost (labour and materials) exceed $5000.
To get an owner builder permit, you must apply at a Fair Trading Centre and provide evidence that you are over 18 years old, own the land, intend to live in the completed home as principal address, have a development application or complying development certificate approval number and provide evidence of completion of an approved owner builder course where the value exceeds $12000.
If you don't want the responsibility of being an owner builder, you should be wary of a builder who suggests you obtain an owner builder permit while they do all the building work for you. This may indicate the builder is avoiding responsibility, is unlicensed, or is unable to obtain the appriopiate insurance.
A register maintained by the Office of Fair Trading allows you to do home building licence checks online, visit the Office of Fair Trading online services. You should always do a licence check before entering into a contract with a builder or tradesperson and you should only deal with a licensed builder.
Further details on becoming owner builder can be obtained from the Office of Fair Trading web site.
Home Warranty Insurance
Home Warranty Insurance must be obtained by the home building contractor from an approved insurer. The certifcate of insurance must be given to the home owner prior to the contractor taking any money on the contract and prior to commencing work, or supplying a kit home.
Home Warranty Insurance cover is required for residential building work or supply of a kit home, when the work requires a licence and the value exceeds $12000.
Further details on Home Warranty Insurance can be obtained from the Office of Fair Trading
Disclosure of Political Donation and Gifts
An applicant or any person making a planning application or written submission to Council in relation to a relevent planning application must disclose reportable political donations or gifts made to any local Councillor or Council employee. A disclosure must be received by Council within the period commencing two years before the application or submission was made and ending when the application is determined. If the donation or gift is made afterwards, in a statement of the person to whom the relevant planning application or submission was made with seven days after the donation or gift is made.
Download the Disclosure of Political Donations and Gifts Statement Form and attach the completed declaration to your planning application or submission. If you are making a disclosure statement after you have made your planning application or submission, you can email the completed form to goscity@gosford.nsw.gov.au or mail to:
General Manager
PO Box 21
Gosford, NSW 2250
The disclosure statement is a public document and will be made publicly available by Council.
Further information is available from the NSW Department of Planning at www.planning.nsw.gov.au/donations