Bathroom renovation permits and approvals in Sydney: what you need

Do I need approval?

Most bathroom renovations in Sydney do not need council approval. If you are stripping the old room, fitting new pipes, sealing the wet area, tiling and putting in new fixtures — all in the same footprint — you can go ahead without a formal sign-off.

That does not mean there are no rules. The wet area must be sealed to AS 3740. Pipe and wiring work must be done by licensed trades. And some jobs do need approval, based on what you change.

What exempt development covers

Exempt work in NSW means you can do internal changes without council sign-off, as long as the work does not touch the structure, change the outside of the home or alter how the space is used. A like-for-like bathroom fit-out — new fixtures, new tiles, new pipes and sealing in the same wet area — is almost always exempt.

The key tests: no walls holding up the roof are removed, no change to the outside of the home, no extra floor area, and the work meets the Building Code. If all of these pass, you do not need a DA or a CDC.

When you need a Complying Development Certificate

A CDC is a fast-track approval that a private certifier or council can issue, usually within 5 to 10 working days. You need one when the job goes beyond a like-for-like fit-out but still falls inside the rules for fast-track work.

Common triggers: moving a wall to change the room layout, making the wet area larger than it was, or changing the room's use — for example, turning a laundry into a bathroom.

A CDC is simpler and faster than a full DA. A certifier checks the plans, confirms they meet the Building Code and issues the sign-off. No council meeting is needed.

When you need a Development Application

A DA is needed for work that does not fit the exempt or fast-track paths. In a bathroom job, this usually means big structural changes — taking out a wall that holds up the roof, adding a new room, or changing the outside of a heritage-listed home.

A DA goes through council and takes 3 to 12 weeks. It involves plans, an impact statement, and sometimes a notice to neighbours. Our heritage guide covers what applies to listed homes.

For a standard bathroom job within the same footprint, a DA is rarely needed.

Strata approvals are separate

If the bathroom is in a strata unit, the by-law adds another step on top of any council rules. Sealing the wet area affects shared property — the slab — and most schemes need a by-law vote before wet-area work can start.

Strata approval is not a council process. It is run by the owners body under the Strata Act. Allow 4 to 8 weeks for the by-law process. Our strata guide covers this in detail.

Licences and insurance requirements

In NSW, any home building work over $5,000 must be done by a builder with a current licence. For jobs over $20,000, the builder must also carry Home Building cover — this protects you if the builder dies, goes missing or loses their licence.

Pipe and wiring work must be done by licensed trades and signed off with a certificate. The wet area must be sealed to AS 3740 and signed off before tiles go on.

ETR holds NSW Builder Licence 475204C. Every bathroom is sealed to AS 3740 with a sign-off and covered by a 10-year workmanship warranty.

What ETR handles

The on-site measure confirms whether the job is exempt, needs a CDC or needs a DA. For most bathroom jobs, no council approval is needed. If a CDC is needed, we handle the filing with the certifier.

All trade work is done by licensed plumbers, sparkies and sealers. The written quote names the scope, and every sign-off is handed over when the job is done. A free on-site measure anywhere in Sydney is the right starting point.

Frequently asked questions