Questions & Answers

Does a dual occupancy require a separate Building Approval after Development Approval?

Yes. A new dual occupancy generally requires a separate Building Approval (BA) after Development Approval (DA).

The DA provides planning approval, while the BA assesses the detailed building work against the Building Act 2004, applicable building regulations and the National Construction Code (NCC). A licensed building surveyor is appointed as the certifier for the BA process.

Reference: ACT Complying with your development approval – https://www.planning.act.gov.au/applications-and-assessments/development-applications/complying-with-your-development-approval

Last reviewed: 27 August 2026 Information current as at: 2 September 2026

Short Answer

Yes. A new dual occupancy generally requires a separate Building Approval after DA approval and before construction begins.

Detailed Explanation

Yes. Construction of a new dual occupancy involves building work that is generally subject to the Building Approval process under the Building Act 2004, unless a specific building-work exemption applies.

Building Approval is separate from Development Approval. ACT Planning confirms that most building work requires approval under the Building Act 2004, and the current approved forms include an “Appointment of a certifier – application for building approval” and minimum documentation requirements for Class 1 residential construction.

Key Point

No minimum block size does not remove the need for planning assessment.

Would you like to know what these rules mean for your property?

Get a Planning Assessment prepared by our experienced planning team.