Our Services

Complying Development Certificates (CDC)

What is a Complying Development Certificate, and does it apply to my development project?

You may be eligible for a Complying Development Certificate (CDC). This means that you won’t need to obtain a Development Approval from your local Council. If applicable, a CDC will include significant cost and time savings with a fast turnaround.

Complying development is a combined planning and construction approval for development that meets pre-determined development standards. Determination of a complying development certificate (CDC) relies on a code-based assessment. The local council or a private accredited certifier can issue a CDC. Where an application for complying, development meets the specified development standards in the Codes SEPP. If an applicant chooses to work beyond the development standards contained in the Codes SEPP, they will need to lodge a DA with the relevant local council in accordance with the merit-based rules, for consideration.

You may contact our office to understand if your project satisfies the requirements for a CDC.

What is an Occupation Certificate and when will I need to lodge it?

An Occupation Certificate (OC) is the final stage of the process and is issued under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979. It allows you to occupy and use the new building or structure approved as part of the CC or CDC. 

An OC verifies that North Coast Certifications is satisfied that the constructed building is suitable to be occupied and meets the requirements of the National Construction Code (NCC) and the relevant approval. 

What is a Principal Certifier, and can North Coast Certifications be appointed as my PC?

Prior to commencing any building or construction work, you must appoint a Principal Certifier (PC). The Principal Certifier (PC) is a building surveyor who can undertake the various mandatory inspections throughout the build and is engaged by you when completing our CC or CDC application/ contract forms. 

Acting as your Principal Certifier (PC), we will advise you which mandatory inspections are required for your particular building project and it will be your responsibility to call us out for these inspections. The PC’s role is to document details of these inspections and issue you with an Occupation Certificate (OC) should all of the work be completed.

As your PC, North Coast Certifications are required to carry out all stages of the construction.

To allow a principal certifier or another certifying authority time to carry out mandatory critical stage inspections, the principal contractor for the building site, or the owner builder, must notify the principal certifier at least 48 hours before building work is commenced at the site if a mandatory critical stage inspection is required before the commencement of the work in accordance with Clause 162A of the Environmental Planning & Assessment Regulation 2000.

Failure to request a mandatory critical stage inspection will prohibit the principal certifier under Section 6.5 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 to issue an occupation certificate.

The inspections to be undertaken will be listed with your approval package and may be limited to the following.

1. Initial site inspection

2. After excavation for and prior to placement of any footings

3. Prior to pouring any in-situ reinforced concrete building element

4. Prior to covering of the framework for any floor, wall, roof, or other building element

5. Prior to covering waterproofing in any wet areas

6. Prior to covering any stormwater drainage connections

7. As soon as practicable after the barrier (if one is required under the Swimming Pools Act 1992) has been erected.

8. After the building work has been completed & prior to any Occupation Certificate being issued in relation to the building.