Questions & Answers

What drawings are normally required for a Development Application?

For most residential DAs, you will normally need drawings that clearly show what exists on the block, what you propose to build, and how the development relates to the site and surrounding properties.

A typical drawing package may include:

  1. Site plan – showing the existing and proposed development in relation to the block boundaries.
  2. Floor plans – showing the proposed room layouts, dimensions, external doors and windows, and finished floor levels.
  3. Elevation plans – showing each relevant side of the building, its appearance and building heights.
  4. Section plans – showing the building vertically, including ground, floor and ceiling levels.
  5. Roof plan – showing the proposed roof form, pitch or fall.
  6. Shadow diagrams – where solar access or overshadowing needs to be demonstrated.
  7. Site analysis, landscaping, driveway, fencing or tree-related plans – where these matters are relevant to the particular development. 

Not every DA requires every type of drawing. The exact package depends on what you are proposing and the planning matters that need to be assessed

Reference: Planning (Minimum Development Application Documentation) Guideline 2026 (No 1) (NI2026-13) – https://www.legislation.act.gov.au/ni/2026-13/

Last reviewed: 9 September 2026 Information current as at: 13 September 2026

Short Answer

The drawings required for a Development Application depend on the type and complexity of the proposal. For a typical residential DA, the core architectural drawings will normally include a site plan, floor plans and elevation plans, with other drawings such as sections, roof plans, shadow diagrams, landscaping or driveway plans required where relevant to the proposal.

Detailed Explanation

ACT Planning's Before you apply ? Prepare your documents guidance requires applicants to include the necessary supporting documents and plans and directs applicants to the Minimum Documentation Requirements to determine what must accompany the particular DA. ACT Planning also requires plans to be submitted separately and in the prescribed format.

The ACT Planning Development Application Naming Conventions provides the clearest description of the different plan types used for DA assessment. In particular:

  • Site Plan – summarises proposed works at ground level and the relationship of the development to the site.
  • Floor Plans – Assessment – show room layout, dimensions, walls being removed or altered and finished floor levels.
  • Elevation Plans – show the building elevations, finished appearance and heights in relation to Australian Height Datum.
  • Section Plans – show cross-sections through buildings or structures, including ground, floor and ceiling levels and, where relevant, building envelopes.
  • Roof Plans – show roof details including pitch or fall.
  • Shadow Diagrams – demonstrate shadows cast by the development at relevant times.
  • Other recognised drawings include Site Analysis, Driveway Plans, Fencing Plans, Tree Surveys, Tree Management Plans, Survey Plans and Erosion and Sediment Control Plans, where applicable. 

For pre-application advice, ACT Planning also specifically identifies site plans, floor plans and elevation plans drawn to an appropriate scale as the plans generally required to understand a proposed development, noting that concept plans may sometimes be sufficient at that earlier stage.

Example: For a typical dual occupancy DA, we would normally expect the architectural package to include at least a site plan, assessment floor plans, elevations and relevant sections, with additional drawings such as shadow, landscaping, driveway or tree plans added where the site's circumstances and applicable planning requirements require them.

Key Point

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

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