🏡 Inner West Renovation FAQs

Most homes in the Inner West fall under heritage conservation areas. That usually means you’ll need a Development Application (DA) through Inner West Council.
A Complying Development Certificate (CDC) is possible if:

• Your property is not in a heritage zone
• Your design fully meets the strict NSW planning rules

Typical homeowner reaction:
“Okay, so because I’m in the Inner West, it’s probably a DA. At least I know where I stand now.”

Reassurance:
Exactly. Knowing this upfront saves time, money, and stress. A DA isn’t a roadblock,  it’s simply the right path for most Inner West homes, and with the right design approach, approvals are very achievable.

Heritage rules don’t mean you can’t renovate — they simply protect the street character. In most cases, you’ll need to:

• Keep the façade and front visible roofline consistent
• Design sympathetic additions that don’t dominate the street
• At the rear, you can usually add open-plan extensions, second-storey additions, or modern living spaces

Typical homeowner reaction:
“So living in a heritage area doesn’t mean I can’t extend — I just need to respect the front?”

Reassurance:
Exactly. Council supports designs that blend heritage charm with modern living. Think: traditional façade at the front, light-filled extension or addition at the back.

The three main red flags are:

• Overshadowing neighbours’ backyards
• Privacy/overlooking into neighbours’ windows or gardens
• Bulk & scale that feels oversized for the street

These issues often trigger objections, but they can be resolved with smart design.

Typical homeowner reaction:
“Okay, so if we design carefully with setbacks and privacy screens, we should be okay?”

Reassurance:
Exactly. By addressing these concerns upfront, you reduce the risk of objections and make the approval process smoother.

Talk to your Inner West builders, Downtown Building. We specialise in home extensions, second-storey additions, new builds and full renovations right across the Inner West. Because we’ve been building here for years, we also have a trusted network of local architects and draftsmen who know exactly how to navigate DAs, heritage restrictions, and council approvals. That means we don’t just build — we guide you from design to completion with the right team by your side.

Contact Downtown Building today, your Inner West renovation specialists.