Development Control Plans

Development Control Plans (DCPs) are plans adopted by Council which support the Mosman Local Environmental Plan and provide more detailed planning and design guidelines. The relevant DCP should be referred to when considering development.

Draft Development Control Plans

Three draft Development Control Plans (DCPs), one for Residential land; one for Business Centres and one for Open Space and Infrastructure land, were exhibited for public comment in October and November 2009.

The finalisation of these DCPs has been delayed due to the extended time taken to complete the Mosman Local Environmental Plan 2012. It is planned to report the draft DCPs to Council for adoption in March 2012. These plans would replace all existing DCPs. It is proposed to include a savings clause in the DCPs with the following wording:

Savings and transitional provisions
This DCP does not apply to an application under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 which was lodged with council before 1 February 2012 but not finally determined before the commencement of this DCP. Any application lodged before 1 February 2012 will be assessed in accordance with any relevant previous DCPs which applied at the time of application lodgement.

Mosman Residential DCP (7 June 2004)

Mosman Residential DCP

This provides detailed planning and urban design guidelines if you are considering making alterations and additions to your house; building a new house; constructing multiple dwellings e.g. townhouses or residential flats. It provides townscape character guidelines and also guidelines for ancillary residential uses such as bed and breakfasts, swimming pools, boatshed etc.

Please note the 7 June 2004 version of the Mosman Residential DCP replaces the 3 July 2003 version and the 7 October 1999 version.


Mosman Business Centres DCP (30 March 2000)

The DCP provides planning and urban design guidelines for development in business zones. It also identifies the desired character for the business centres.


Exempt and Complying DCP (December 2007)

Please note – In most cases the provisions of State Environmental Planning Policy (Exempt and Complying Development Codes) 2008 (the Codes SEPP) now override Council’s Exempt and Complying DCP. The exceptions to this are:

  • Where the same development type is specified as complying development in Council’s Exempt and Complying DCP and the Codes SEPP;
  • Where the Codes SEPP specifies development as exempt development and Council’s Exempt and Complying DCP specifies the same development as complying development; and
  • Where the type of development specified in Council’s Exempt and Complying DCP is not the same as the development type specified in the Codes SEPP.

In these cases, an applicant has the option of using Council’s Exempt and Complying DCP until 1 September 2011.

Information about the Codes SEPP is available at www.planning.nsw.gov.au/housingcode

It should also be noted that the general land exemptions raised by Clause 1.19 of the Codes SEPP mean that certain land within Mosman is excluded from the use of complying development under the General Housing Code. To identify whether your property is affected by these general land exemptions you can apply for a Section 149 zoning certificate or refer to the following map:

Disclaimer – The map only identifies properties affected by the general land exemptions raised by Clause 1.19 of the Codes SEPP. It is your responsibility to ensure that you comply with any other general requirements of the Codes SEPP.

Notifications DCP

This DCP outlines procedural requirements for notification of Development Applications and Complying Development Applications. It identifies such things as who to notify about a development application and when to notify.


Mosman Transport DCP (June 2005)

This DCP provides guidelines for the provision and use of transport facilities in Mosman and includes parking rates and design guidelines for certain types of development.


647-653 Military Road DCP (September 2004)

The DCP provides detailed objectives and controls to guide the design of new development on the site and to allow certain additional uses on the site.

2 Illawarra Street DCP (June 2002)

The DCP provides the detailed objectives and provisions to guide the design of any new development on the site with consideration for the significance of the listed heritage item.

Queenwood Sites DCP

The Queenwood Sites Development Control Plan applies to specific sites in Balmoral owned by Queenwood School and consists of urban design guidelines for future development.

Warringah Bowling Club Childcare Centre DCP (July 2007)

This is a site specific DCP which provides guidelines for the development of a 90 place childcare centre on part of the Warringah Bowling Club site, 72-82 Bradleys Head Road.


  • Documents marked with an asterix * are preview documents only. They can be viewed online but not printed. Copies can be purchased at the Civic Centre or viewed at the Civic Centre and Mosman Library.