Development applications

Why you need approval - If you're planning a development, you may need development approval before you get started.

Rules that apply - Planning and building rules describe which developments are appropriate across SA and how they should be built.

How applications are assessed - This guide explains the decision-making process of your application after lodgement.

See all in Getting approval

Find out if you need approval - Use this wizard to see if you need approval for your development proposal.

Development application checklist - A useful checklist to help you gather the information you'll need to lodge a development application.

Zoning for a property - See zones, policies and overlays that apply to an address.

Rules for your development - Determine the Planning and Design Code policies that will apply to your development proposal during assessment.

Application fees - All applications incur fees which should be paid before the development assessment process begins.

See all in Before you lodge

Find out where to lodge - Use this wizard to find out the different ways you can lodge your application.

Create an online account - If you live in a rural or outback area, you can register for an account to lodge development applications online.

Lodge online - If you already have an account, you can lodge an application under the PDI Act 2016 online.

Find a professional - Find an accredited professional to make a decision on your application, if it is eligible.

See all in Lodge an application

Development application register - Track the assessment progress of development applications from lodgement to decision.

Where is my application? - Use the wizard to find out if your application is published here in PlanSA or published in a council register instead.

Notified developments - During assessment, some developments are publicly notified for South Australians to have their say.

Online payments - Online invoice payments for Development Applications

Contact us - If you need more help, get in touch with us at PlanSA.

See all in Track and pay an application

Essential safety provision forms - Use these forms to guide the planning, installation and maintenance of essential safety provisions (ESPs) in a building.

After building work - Use these forms to certify that building work has been carried out in accordance with a relevant approval and is ready to occupy.

Notifications for building works - Submit your notification via the PlanSA Portal (login required) or to Council by following these instructions. 

Regulation 67 of the Planning, Development and Infrastructure (General) Regulations 2017 states, when Planning Consent is granted, the applicant has 2 years from the operative date to obtain Building Rules Consent. When Development Approval is granted, the applicant has 2 years from the operative date to substantially commence the development, thereafter for the development to be substantially or fully completed within 3 years.

All extension of time requests for development applications lodged after 19 March 2021 are to be completed via the Plan SA Portal.

All extension of time requests for development applications lodged before 19 March 2021 are to be completed via the City of West Torrens Extension of Time request form (DPC or DA) Online Form.

Use the Request for access to development file application form for development applications lodged prior to 19 March 2021. For applications lodged after 19 March 2021, please send your request to Plan SA, email PlanSA@sa.gov.au. 

If you need assistance completing this form online, contact Council on 8416 6333, during business hours.

Applications lodged before 19 March 2021 can be tracked online via our online tracking system.

Apply for an Extension of time here.

Applications lodged after 19 March 2021 can be tracked through Plan SA.

Before planning your development or purchasing a property you may want to seek information on the development assessment process to help you make informed decisions. Council offers a Duty Planner and Duty Building Officer service so you can talk to an duty officer about the development assessment process, including seeking preliminary pre-lodgement advice.

A Duty Planner and Duty Building Officer are available to provide advice and information during business hours via the following ways:

• Contact us during business hours
• Email your enquiry to development@wtcc.sa.gov.au (we can call or email you back)
• Visit the Development Desk at the City of West Torrens Civic Centre, 165 Sir Donald Bradman Drive, Hilton

When seeking pre-lodgement advice we can give you guidance about planning policy and building rules applicable to your proposed development and we can tell you about any issues that we think need to be addressed during the development assessment stage. Please also note the following when seeking pre-lodgement advice:

• We won’t be able tell you whether any variances from the Planning and Design Code provisions will be supported in an application
• We can’t advise you about issues that might arise during the final design of the development
• We can’t give you formal approval or refusal

If you are seeking to develop a Local Heritage Place or a property in a Historic Area, this can sometimes involve extra steps and processes to ensure the heritage values are considered. The Duty Planning Officer can discuss your proposal with you and if appropriate, obtain further free advice from Council's Heritage Advisor.