NSW Section 7.11 Development Contributions for Granny Flats 2026
Do granny flats pay Section 7.11 contributions in NSW? For section 7.11 granny flat, commonly yes. When your council has a contributions plan, new secondary dwellings can trigger a Section 7.11 levy (formerly Section 94) toward roads, drainage and community infrastructure.
Legislation: Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (NSW). Fee context: NSW granny flat cost guide.
When the levy applies
Councils adopt local contributions plans listing which development types pay and at what rate per square metre or per dwelling. A 60 m² granny flat on a complying development site can still attract contributions if the plan captures secondary dwellings (NSW development contributions policy).
Confirm setbacks, fees and supplier inclusions with your council or certifier before you sign. SEPP, CDC and DA pathways differ by state, lot size and overlays such as heritage or flood. Use our planning tools for ballpark figures, then verify with a private certifier or council planner when your design is settled.
Typical cost range
Levies vary enormously by LGA – from $0 in some rural areas to $15,000–$40,000+ in growth corridors. Your certifier or council duty planner quotes the figure when you lodge CDC or DA.
Include contributions in the preliminaries phase of our cost calculator so your budget matches bank finance.
Confirm setbacks, fees and supplier inclusions with your council or certifier before you sign. SEPP, CDC and DA pathways differ by state, lot size and overlays such as heritage or flood. Use our planning tools for ballpark figures, then verify with a private certifier or council planner when your design is settled.
Section 7.12 vs 7.11
Section 7.12 (formerly Section 94A) is a percentage levy on construction cost in some areas. Ask council which mechanism applies – some projects pay one, not both.
Confirm setbacks, fees and supplier inclusions with your council or certifier before you sign. SEPP, CDC and DA pathways differ by state, lot size and overlays such as heritage or flood. Use our planning tools for ballpark figures, then verify with a private certifier or council planner when your design is settled.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are CDC granny flats exempt from contributions?
Not automatically. Exemptions are rare and plan-specific. Always check the contributions plan for your lot.
Can I negotiate contributions?
Sometimes via voluntary planning agreements, but most homeowner granny flat projects pay the standard rate. Legal advice is warranted for large levies.
What else should I verify locally?
Confirm opening hours, payment methods, and whether you need an appointment before you travel.
Confirm setbacks, fees and supplier inclusions with your council or certifier before you sign. SEPP, CDC and DA pathways differ by state, lot size and overlays such as heritage or flood. Use our planning tools for ballpark figures, then verify with a private certifier or council planner when your design is settled.
How much does council approval add to your granny flat budget?
Council and certifier fees sit outside the builder quote. In NSW, a CDC pathway through a private certifier often lands between roughly $3,000 and $8,000 once survey, BASIX and Sydney Water checks are included, while a full DA can cost more because of longer consultant time and holding costs. Victoria and Queensland use different fee schedules, so treat any single number as a starting point. Model your own project in our granny flat cost calculator, then compare supplier quotes through get a quote when your footprint is settled.
What design choices affect approval speed?
Setbacks, height, floor area and tree protection overlays decide whether you stay on a fast CDC track or drop to a slower DA. Staying under common 60 sqm internal caps, keeping adequate side and rear setbacks and connecting services without major easement conflicts usually keeps the pathway simpler. If your block is sloped, flood-affected or heritage-listed, expect extra reports before council or your certifier can sign off. Use the setback checker and approval wizard against your address before you pay for custom drawings.
Primary sources
The Granny Flat Guide cross-checks regulation and cost summaries against official Australian references. Verify current rules with these sources before you lodge an application or sign a contract.
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