Using Council as your Certifier

North Sydney Council offers a range of building certification services including:  

• Complying Development Certificates  

• Construction Certificates 

• Principal Certifier for building work, which includes conducting critical stage inspections and issuing the Occupation Certificate 

 Council also offers a range of subdivision certification services:  

• Subdivision Works Certificates  

• Principal Certifier for subdivision, which includes conducting critical stage inspections and issuing the Subdivision Certificate or Strata Certificate 

Apply for a Complying Development Certificate

A Complying Development Certificate can be issued for small scale, low-impact developments that comply with pre-determined standards and the Building Code of Australia.

To be considered a complying development, the proposed development must comply with all the pre-determined development standards specified by the NSW Department of Planning.

To request a Complying Development Certificate from Council, you must complete an application and checklist.

Apply for a Complying Development Certificate

You must then lodge them via the NSW Planning Portal. The NSW Government has prepared a step-by-step user guide for lodging a Complying Development Certificate application.

Obtain a Construction Certificate from Council

Once your Development Application has been approved by Council to carry out building work, you will need a Construction Certificate.

 A Construction Certificate confirms the construction plans and development specifications are consistent with the development consent, and comply with the Building Code of Australia and any other Council requirements.

To request a Construction Certificate from Council, you must complete an application with a checklist and contract certification.

Construction Certificate application and declaration forms

View certificate fees

You must then lodge them via the NSW Planning Portal.

Choose Council as your Principal Certifier

A Development Consent (whether through a Development Application or Complying Development Certificate) does not authorise building work to occur until a Principal Certifier has been appointed for the development.    

What is a Principal Certifier?  

A Principal Certifier (PC) must be is appointed before any building work begins. The PC is responsible for:  

• conducting critical stage inspections of the development 

• ensuring compliance with the development consent 

• investigating any non-compliances with the development 

• issuing a Written Direction Notice within 2 business days of becoming aware of any non-compliance 

• assessing and issuing the occupation certificate 

Council or a private Registered Certifier can be appointed as the PC for building work.  

If you would like to appoint North Sydney Council as the PC for your development, please complete the following form and submit it via the NSW Planning Portal.

Apply to appoint Council as your Principal Certifier

Follow the NSW Government’s step-by-step user guide for lodging an application.

Submit a Notice of Commencement of Works

Before beginning works, you must comply with all pre-conditions that are required.  

You must also submit a Notice of Commencement of Building Works form with Council on the NSW Planning Portal at least two days before work begins.

Commencing works without notifying Council is an offence.

Give Notice of Commencement of Building Works

Request Council Principal Certifier inspection

To request a Council Principle Certifier inspection, call our Customer Service Centre and provide the following details:

• the date the inspection is required (note, at least two working days notice is required)
• your name and telephone number 
• the Development Application number or Compliance Certificate number
• the address of the project (house number, street, suburb)
• the type of construction (indicate if it's a new dwelling, additions, tennis court, swimming pool etc)
• the type of inspection required (indicate stage or component of building). 

View Council's Principal Certifier fees and charges

Critical Stage Inspections by Principal Certifiers

A Principal Certifier is required to inspect the development at certain stages to ensure the works are consistent with the development consent and Building Code of Australia.

At least 2 days before any work begins, the Principal Certifier must notify you of any critical stage inspections required to be carried out during construction. It is then your responsibility to notify the Principal Certifier at least 48 hours before each critical stage inspection is required to be carried out.

Works cannot continue until the Principal Certifier has carried out each satisfactory critical stage inspection.

Failing to notify the Principal Certifier that a critical stage inspection is required to be carried out is an offence. On-the-spot penalties of up to $3,000 may be issued per inspection. If you miss a critical stage inspection, the Principal Certifier may withhold issuing an Occupation Certificate.  

Apply for an Occupation Certificate

To start using a building, you will need an Occupation Certificate.

The Occupation Certificate can only be issued by the Principal Certifier and confirms:  

1. Development consent is in force for the building or part

2. A construction certificate has been issued where required

3. The completed building or part is suitable for occupation or use in accordance with its classification under the Building Code of Australia

4. All other requirements of the Regulations or pre-conditions of consent have been complied with

 It is an offence to start occupying or using a building or part without an Occupation Certificate. On-the-spot penalties of up to $6,000 may be issued.

An application for an Occupation Certificate must be lodged on the NSW Planning Portal. The NSW Government has prepared a step-by-step user guide for lodging an occupation certificate application on the NSW Planning Portal.  

To request an Occupation Certificate from Council, complete the form below and lodge it via the NSW Planning Portal:

Apply for a Occupation Certificate

View occupation certificate fees