Plans and Development Control
The planning controls include the Leichhardt Local Environmental Plan (LEP) 2000 and the Development Control Plan (DCP) 2000, as well as a number of other DCPs for specific sites or issues, such as waste management, contaminated land, telecommunication facilities and notification of proposed development.
Amendments Under Consideration or on Exhibition
From time to time proposed amendments to the LEP or DCP's are placed on exhibition and comments/submissions are invited.
All matters on Public Consultation can be viewed by clicking on the link below.
Public Consultation
Note, this area of the website contains Council matters currently on exhibition and doesn't necessarily relate only to LEP and DCP documents.
Leichhardt Local Environmental Plan (LEP) 2000
The 
LEP 2000 - 337 KB provides objectives, zoning, permissible and prohibited uses and development standards for each zone as well as heritage items and conservation areas.
Four maps are associated with the LEP. The zoning map shows the zoning of each property. The heritage conservation map shows buildings listed as heritage items as well as conservation areas. Heritage items are also listed in Schedule 2 in the LEP. The residential density map shows the floor space ratio for different areas. The foreshore building line refers to sites located on the foreshore and is relevant to Clause 33 in the LEP.
Zoning Map (1.49MB)
Heritage Conservation Map (1.18MB)
Residential Density Map - 1,525 KB
Foreshore Building Line Map - 1,394 KB
Leichhardt Development Control Plan (DCP) 2000
DCP 2000 contains detailed guidelines and controls for development within the Leichhardt LGA. The purpose of providing such detailed guidance is to explain Council’s expectations up front and give applicants an understanding of how Council will approach the assessment of any proposal.
DCP 2000 is divided into four parts:
• Part A – General Information & Suburb Profiles
• Part B – Residential Development
• Part C – Non-Residential Development
• Part D – Site Specific Controls
Part A - General Information Development Control Plan (DCP)
Part A - General Information - 394 KB of the DCP provides general information about different aspects of development including site analysis, ecological sustainability, amenity, heritage and conservation and urban form. Part A8.0 provides specific parking standards for proposed uses while Part A9.0 provides specific guidelines and controls for advertising signs.
Part A of the DCP also includes a Suburb Profile for each suburb in the Leichhardt area. Each suburb is divided into distinctive neighbourhoods. Desired future characteristics are nominated for each distinctive neighbourhood and neighbourhood controls are written in bold text at the end of each section. Refer to the map in the suburb profile to confirm which distinctive neighbourhood your site is located in.
A10.1 - Lilyfield Suburb Profile - 2,018 KB
A10.2 - Leichhardt Suburb Profile (1.68MB)
A10.3 - Annandale Suburb Profile - 1,288 KB
A10.4 - Glebe Suburb Profile (1.61MB)
A10.5 - Rozelle Suburb Profile - 868 KB
A10.6 - Balmain Suburb Profile - 894 KB
Part B - Residential Development Control Plan (DCP)
Part B - Residential Development (3.00MB) of the DCP refers to residential development and provides guidelines and controls for different aspects of development including front, rear and side setbacks, building envelope, car parking, materials, fences, corner sit es, dormer windows, sun access, privacy and private open space. Part B also includes guidelines and controls for ecologically sustainable development including window shading, solar heating, natural ventilation, insulation and water conservation. Please note that controls for ecologically sustainable development do not apply where a development proposal is subject to BASIX.
Part B also provides guidelines and controls for particular types of development including alterations and additions to existing houses, laneway development, foreshore development and conversion of non-residential buildings.
Part C - Non-Residential Development Control Plan (DCP)
Part C - Non-Residential Development - 933 KB of the DCP refers to non-residential development and provides guidelines and controls for different aspects of development including building design, parking layout and manoeuvring, materials, shopfronts, verandas and awnings, operation hours and noise and vibration. Part C includes guidelines and controls for ecologically sustainable development including energy efficiency, stormwater control, ventilation and heating and cooling.
Part C also provides guidelines and controls for specific development types including home-based employment, motor showrooms and service stations, playgrounds and licensed premises.
Part D - Site Specific Controls
Part D1.0 - Site Specific Controls - Balmain Leagues Club Precinct - 467 KB
Other Development Control Plans
Development Control Plans supplement the provisions of Leichhardt Local Environmental Plan 2000 with more detailed controls that can be contained in a Local Environmental Plan. The following DCPs apply in addition to the controls prescribed within DCP 2000.
Development Control Plan 21 - Wharf Road Birchgrove
Development Control Plan 21 - 505 KB is specific to the properties in Wharf Road, Birchgrove and aims at guiding development to conserve the historic nature and character of the area. Wharf Road is one of the oldest in-tact waterfront streets in Sydney and retention of this special feature is important.
Development Control Plan 27 - Balmain Power Station
Development Control Plan No 27 - 842 KB gives guidance for housing, commercial development, and open space, and adaptive re-use of buildings on the site.
Development Control Plan 31 - Ampol Site (White Bay)
Development Control Plan No 31 - 968 KB provides guidelines for development of the land, formerly owned by Ampol, at Robert Street.
Development Control Plan 32 - Design for Equitable Access
Development Control Plan No 32 - 16 KB provides guidance and controls for the provision of access for people with a disability.
Development Control Plan 35 - Exempt and Complying Development
Development Control Plan No 35 - 421 KB contains Exempt and Complying Development and requirements that must be satisfied for a development to be classified as Exempt or Complying Development.
NSW Housing Code
The NSW Housing Code outlines how residential developments including:
- Detached single and double storey dwellings;
- Home extensions; and
- Other ancillary development, such as swimming pools
can proceed on lots of greater than 450 square metres as complying development with council or accredited certifier sign-off.
It also outlines how 41 types of minor developments around the home can proceed as exempt development without planning approval.
Further information about the NSW Housing Code can be obtained from the Department of Planning website - www.planning.nsw.gov.au/planning_reforms/housing_code_info.asp.
Development Control Plan 36 - Notifications
Development Control Plan No 36 (722.11kB) stipulates properties that must be advised when a development application has been lodged as well as other advertising requirements such as posting a sign on the site, advertisements in local newspapers and the length of time an application must be advertised.
Development Control Plan 38 - Avoid, Reuse, Recycle
Construction and Demolition Recycling Directory (372.13kB) aims to reduce the demand for waste disposal by providing detailed criteria for demolition and construction waste as well as design and management of recycling, composting and waste storage and collection facilities. The DCP requires the submission of a Waste Management Plan with a development application. Waste Planning Guidebook for Development Applications - 764 KB
Development Control Plan 42 - Contaminated Land Management
Development Control Plan No 42 - 442 KB is designed to provide a procedure for dealing with contamination issues such as ensuring that change of land use will not increase the risk to health or the environment, providing information to support decision making and to inform the community.
Development Control Plan 47 - Jane Street Balmain
Development Control Plan No 47 - 416 KB provides site specific guidance and controls for potential development sites at 14 – 18 Jane St Balmain, including the former Convent fronting Jane, Vincent and Fawcett Streets.
Development Control Plan 48 - Approvals Policy Managing Activities on Footpaths and Verges
Development Control Plan No 48 - 944 KB outlines Council’s policy on the development and use of footpath including footway dining and the display of advertising and merchandise. It provides guidelines for the use of footpath areas and sets out the assessment criteria for the design and planning of footpath development.
Development Control Plan 51 - Telecommunications and Radiocommunications
Development Control Plan No 51 - 271 KB provides controls for the siting, design and installation of telecommunication and radio-communication facilities that require development consent from Council and also provides guidelines for the siting, design and installation of “low impact” facilities.
Tree Preservation Order
All trees are protected by a Tree Preservation Order. The Tree Preservation Order explains the Tree Preservation Order and lists trees and minor work that are exempt from the order. This document also provides application forms for carrying out work such as pruning or removing a tree.
Draft Stormwater Requirements
Council uses this code to manage the impact of development on the existing stormwater drainage network. The Draft Stormwater Requirements (Drainage Code) document provides information about stormwater drainage concept plans, which must be submitted with all development applications, and on-site detention facilities which must be provided for certain proposals.