Expert Building Design in Chatswood

Chatswood is a thriving urban hub on Sydney’s Lower North Shore, known for its vibrant retail precincts, diverse dining, and mix of high-rise apartments, townhouses, and freestanding homes. It is sought after for its excellent transport links, reputable schools, and access to parks and cultural amenities.

DMR Designs provides tailored building solutions in Chatswood that reflect the suburb’s dynamic residential and commercial blend while ensuring compliance with City of Willoughby Council planning regulations.

We proudly serve Chatswood with designs that combine comfort, style, and practicality.

Why Choose DMR Designs for Building Design in Chatswood?

  • Family-Oriented Layouts: Homes designed for comfort, flow, and liveability.

  • Suburban Harmony: Designs that integrate with Chatswood’s urban streetscape and green spaces.

  • Compliance Expertise: Skilled navigation of City of Willoughby’s planning controls.

  • Sustainable Practices: Energy-efficient designs suited to modern lifestyles.

  • Adaptable Spaces: Customised for families, professionals, and multi-generational living.

Our Chatswood designs deliver a harmonious balance of style, practicality, and compliance tailored to this suburb.

City of Willoughby Council Requirements for Building in Chatswood

 

  • Zoning types

    • R2 Low Density Residential

    • R4 High Density Residential (near the commercial core)

  • Setbacks

    • Front setbacks typically 6.0 m in low-density areas; varied in high-density zones

    • Side and rear setbacks dependent on zoning, building height, and lot width

  • Typical lot sizes

    • Detached homes: generally 500–800 m²

    • Townhouse/duplex sites: typically 600–900 m²+

  • Key constraints

    • Height and FSR limits in high-density precincts

    • Heritage and conservation controls in certain streets

    • Traffic and parking considerations for infill developments

  • Utilities available

    • Fully serviced with water, sewer, electricity, gas, and NBN

Building in Chatswood demands designs that respect the suburb’s character while meeting all council standards.

For detailed council regulations and submission guidelines, visit the City of Willoughby Council website.

DA vs CDC: What’s Right for Your Chatswood Project?

Whether it’s a Development Application (DA) or a Complying Development Certificate (CDC), we’ll guide you in finding the fastest and most compliant approval pathway—anywhere in New South Wales.

Here’s a quick breakdown to help you understand the difference:

DA (Development Application):

  • Typically required for multi-dwelling projects, major alterations, or developments outside CDC standards.

  • Necessary for sites with heritage listings or in conservation areas.

CDC (Complying Development Certificate):

  • Suitable for compliant single dwellings, duplexes, and alterations that meet all zoning requirements.

  • Offers faster approvals for straightforward, compliant designs.

Need help figuring out which route suits your site? We’ll assess your block and walk you through your options.

 

FAQs About Building Design in Chatswood

  • Yes—only on sites zoned R4 High Density Residential and subject to height, FSR, and parking controls.

  • Yes—certain streets have heritage properties requiring council assessment for changes.

  • Often yes if the site meets zoning, minimum lot size, and setback standards, and is not in a heritage or environmentally sensitive area.

  • While we know the Willoughby area well, we also work across many suburbs within the City of Willoughby, including Chatswood, Castlecrag, Willoughby East, and more. Additionally, we are available for select projects up to 4 hours away from the City of Willoughby Council area.

  • Cost depends on the scope of your project. We’ll walk you through pricing during your discovery call so you know exactly what to expect.

Ready to take the next step?

From contemporary urban designs to specialized compliance plans, we’re here to help you move forward with clarity and confidence.

We’d love to hear about your Willoughby project and how we can assist.

Our Building Design Services in Chatswood

We offer customised building designs for homes, duplexes, and townhouses fitting Chatswood’s character and planning requirements.
From concept to council approval, we ensure compliance, style, and quality.

What to Expect: Our Building Design Timeline

A step-by-step look at how we take your project from concept to council approval and beyond.

Every project starts with a discovery call and ends with council-approved, build-ready plans.

Here’s how we make it easy from start to finish:

Step 1 - Discovery Call

  • Let’s chat! We’ll have a quick call to understand your project and see how we can help.

Step 2 -Site Visit & Consultation (5–7 days)

  • We’ll meet at your site (or virtually), take a closer look, and discuss your vision in detail.

Step 3 - Fee Proposal (2 days)

  • You’ll get a clear, no-surprises proposal with the scope, timeline, and costs.

Step 4 - Concept Design (4 weeks)

  • We’ll create initial design ideas and layouts tailored just for you.

Step 5 - Design Development & Expert Coordination (2 weeks)

  • We’ll fine-tune the design and collaborate with any needed specialists (engineer, energy consultant, town planner, geo tech engineer, bushfire, heritage consultant, etc).

Step 6 - Final Adjustments (1 week)

  • We’ll polish everything and prepare the final drawings for submission.

Step 7 - Submission for Approval

  • We handle the council or certifier submission, so you’re ready for the next steps.

Want the full breakdown?

View our detailed process here.

From Plans to Reality: See How It All Comes Together

Explore our Chatswood portfolio showcasing homes designed for lifestyle, compliance, and local character.

Portfolio

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Home Designs

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Building in Chatswood requires expert planning and design—exactly what we provide.

Ready to Start Designing Your New Home in Chatswood?

We’re here to help you take the next step, whether you’re

starting fresh or upgrading your Willoughby home.

We’d love to hear what you have in mind. Book a discovery call or send us a message, and we’ll be in touch within 48 hours.

Not based in Chatswood?

DMR Designs proudly works with homeowners across the entire City of Willoughby area. From Chatswood and Castlecrag to Willoughby East and beyond, we bring the same personalized design approach to every project—no matter where you call home.