Development Application Information
To upload and submit a Development Application, please click on the link below.
South Australia's New Planning System - Frequently Asked Questions
What are the assessment pathways in the Planning and Design Code?
How the Planning and Design Code applies to developing a property
Getting approval - The approval process & why you need approval?
How to prepare your development application
Getting professional help for your development application
How to lodge your development application
How much does it cost to lodge an application?
Information Sheets
Other information sheets are also available for download:
Operation and Care of Septic Tanks
Dog Kennels & Dog Keeping
(135 kb)
Home Based Food Business
Home based food activities information sheet
Food Business Notification Form(493 kb)
Native Vegetation
Native vegetation in South Australia (except parts of metropolitan Adelaide) is protected. You may need to apply to clear native vegetation. This is a separate process to the Development Act approval process.
The following links to 'apply to clear native vegetation' will assist:
https://www.environment.sa.gov.au/topics/native-vegetation/clearing/clearance-applications
Application for Extension of Time for Approved Development Applications
When Development Approval is given for a development, work on that development must be substantially
commenced (footings/foundations in place) within 2 years of the operational date of the approval and be substantially or fully completed
within 3 years.
This is a requirement of Regulation 67 in the Planning, Development and Infrastructure Regulations (General) 2017.
If an applicant cannot achieve Development Approval or commencement and completion of the development within the relevant time then they may request an extension of time for the decision to remain valid, as determined under the Planning, Development & Infrastructure Act. 2016. Section 126(3).
How to obtain an extension to your development approval
Before an extension may be granted, Council must consider the following:
1. whether the Planning Code for the zone has changed since the development was approved and, if so, what impact the development would have on achieving the relevant objectives and principles of the revised Planning Code for that zone.
2. why the development was not completed within the approved period
3. the extent of progress made towards completion and the extent of works remaining to be done
4. whether anybody will suffer prejudice if the extension is granted
Applicants applying to extend their development approval are asked to address the above points as part of their application.
A letter/application detailing the above to the council will be required. A fee payable, please refer to Plan SA fess & charges.
Application for an Amendment to a Development Application
In some circumstances, a variation (amendment) may be required to either an approved Development Application, or an application currently being assessed.
Provided that the essential nature of the proposed development is not changed, require an application seeking variation of a previous development authorisation to Council or via the PlanSA Development Portal. Amended plans should be submitted to Council or the PlanSA development portal for consideration. The decision to grant consent for the variation to the development application requires re-assessment and payment of a prescribed fee.
Processing times remain the same as per the Planning, Development and Infrastructure Act.
Additional information may be required to complete a thorough assessment of the variation.
For fees applicable for a variation to a Development Authorisation for a minor variation please refer to Plan SA fess & charges.
Shipping Containers
Shipping containers have become more readily available for a variety of uses in recent years due to increasing numbers of second hand containers from transport companies and development of the types of use of the containers. These containers offer an economical, secure method of storage and are becoming increasingly popular amongst applicants for this purpose, and are also being considered as options to create dwellings from.
There is a level of uncertainty in the community regarding the process and requirements of obtaining Development Approval for these containers. All shipping containers will required development approval under the Planning, Development and Infrastructure legislation, and will be assessed by the shipping containers intended use. This is regardless of which zone or area of the council the intent is to place the shipping container.
Development Approval is required in all areas of the council for shipping containers. For further clarification, please contact Council.