Expert Building Design in Clareville

Clareville is one of the Northern Beaches’ most prized pockets—offering elevated homes with Pittwater views, a secluded atmosphere, and close proximity to the water’s edge. With steep blocks, tight access, and environmental overlays, building in Clareville requires precision, creativity, and deep council knowledge.

At DMR Designs, we specialize in drafting services, council approval assistance & building design in Clareville. Whether you’re designing a luxurious split-level retreat or reconfiguring an existing home to make the most of the views, we tailor every plan to suit the land and local controls.

We proudly serve Clareville with high-end, site-specific designs that combine form, function, and environmental awareness.

Why Choose DMR Designs for Building Design in Clareville?

  • Luxury View-Oriented Designs: Architecture that frames water and bushland outlooks

  • Sensitive Foreshore Development: Expert handling of site constraints and council controls

  • Designs for Steep & Narrow Lots: Split-level and terraced plans to reduce excavation

  • Seamless DA Navigation: All reports and lodgements handled in-house

  • Sustainable Coastal Homes: Passive solar, bushfire compliance, and minimal-impact design

Our Clareville building designs are shaped by the natural setting and elevated by intelligent planning.

Northern Beaches Council Requirements for Building in Clareville

 

  • Zoning:

    • Primarily E4 Environmental Living with significant foreshore, bushfire, and slope overlays

  • Setbacks:

    • Front: 6m–10m depending on topography

    • Side: Typically 1–2m, but may vary due to fire access and slope

    • Rear: Varies depending on proximity to Pittwater or native vegetation

  • Typical Lot Sizes:

    • 800–1,800+ sqm, often steep or irregular with native trees and waterfront access

  • Key Constraints:

    • BAL-12.5 to BAL-40 due to dense bushland

    • Foreshore Building Line and Coastal Protection policies apply

    • Landslip risks on steep sites—geotechnical reports often required

    • Tree removal tightly regulated—especially near native corridors

  • Utilities:

    • Standard water, sewer, electricity, and NBN access—but drainage and site access can be complex

Building in Clareville requires careful consideration of zoning overlays, bushfire ratings, and environmental planning policies.

For detailed council regulations and submission guidelines, visit the Northern Beaches Council website.

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

Due to environmental constraints, most projects in Clareville require a DA. Whether it’s a Development Application (DA) or a Complying Development Certificate (CDC), we’ll guide you through the process from start to finish.

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

DA (Development Application):

  • Required for nearly all new builds and significant alterations

  • We coordinate bushfire, geotech, and arborist reports and manage council dialogue

CDC (Complying Development Certificate):

  • Occasionally possible for minor internal upgrades or small decks

  • We assess viability and advise on the most efficient path

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 Clareville

  • Only within Foreshore Building Line allowances. We help you maximize your position while meeting Coastal Protection controls.

  • Homes with natural materials, clean lines, and large windows are popular. We design to reflect the land and minimize bulk and scale.

  • They can be—but we work with engineers to design compliant, safe, and usable access solutions that suit your property.

  • Not at all! While we love working in spots like Avalon, Narrabeen, and Dee Why, we also take on projects across the North Shore, Ku-ring-gai, and even further out. We’re open to select builds up to 4 hours from the Northern Beaches 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 custom home designs to council-ready plans, we’re here to guide your project every step of the way. Let’s bring your vision to life — reach out today.

Our Building Design Services in Clareville

From foreshore luxury homes to renovations on hidden hillside blocks, our Clareville building design services cover everything from concept to approval.

We deliver clarity, creativity, and compliance—even in the most complex conditions.

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

View our past work in sensitive, slope-heavy environments—crafted to preserve natural beauty and embrace modern comfort.

Portfolio

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Home Designs

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Our Clareville building designs reflect the prestige and peace that define this beautiful suburb.

Ready to Start Designing Your New Home in Clareville?

We’re here to help you take the next step! whetheR It’s

a new chapter or a fresh upgrade

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 Clareville?

DMR Designs proudly serves the entire Northern Beaches—from Palm Beach and Avalon to Dee Why and Manly. Wherever you're building, we bring the same precision, creativity, and local know-how to every design.