How much can the design change after DA approval?
There is no single percentage or fixed amount that an approved design can change after DA approval. Minor changes may be possible without amending the DA in limited circumstances, but if the changed design is no longer covered by the existing Development Approval, an application to amend the DA is generally required.
The design can change after DA approval, but only to the extent that the change remains covered by the approval or falls within one of the situations where a DA amendment is not required.
There is no general rule such as “the design can change by 5% or 10%.” Whether an amendment is needed depends on what is being changed and how that change affects the approved development.
A change specifically required by a condition of the DA is already covered by the approval and does not require an amendment application under this provision.
Reference: ACT Planning 2023 (2023-18), Division 7.6.4 – Correction and amendment of development approvals - Planning Act 2023 | HTML view
Link on the answer: https://www.legislation.act.gov.au/View/a/2023-18/current/html/2023-18.html
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| Dual Occupancy Q&A | #513 | agrees | 28/08/2026 |