Expert Building Design in Cromer Heights

Cromer Heights sits above Cromer, offering elevated views, a quiet community feel, and a leafy suburban escape. Set within the Northern Beaches, this area combines relaxed family living with proximity to shops, schools, and coastal reserves—perfect for a well-considered modern home.

DMR Designs offers expert drafting services, streamlined approval support, and custom building design tailored for Cromer Heights. Whether you're envisioning a split-level family home, a renovation to enhance views, or a contemporary addition, our designs align with Northern Beaches Council standards and the suburb’s elevated character.

We deliver designs in Cromer Heights that are smart, site-responsive, and tuned to both lifestyle and local planning expectations.

Why Choose DMR Designs for Building Design in Cromer Heights?

  • Elevated Living: Homes crafted to take advantage of outlooks while staying grounded in the landscape

  • Slope-Savvy Layouts: Thoughtful split-level and terraced designs suited to varying site levels

  • Council-Ready Design: Seamless handling of consultant input, DA or CDC paths, and council communication

  • Light & Landscape: Plans that maximise natural light, privacy, and integration with sloping rear gardens

  • Everyday Sustainability: Design choices focused on passive comfort, minimal cut-and-fill, and balanced environmental impact

Our Cromer Heights building designs are practical, elegant, and crafted to elevate your lifestyle while respecting the suburb’s peaceful hillside setting.

Northern Beaches Council Requirements for Building in Cromer Heights

 

  • Zoning types

    • Predominantly R2 Low-Density Residential, often with environmental overlays on bush-adjacent sites

  • Setbacks

    • Front setback: typically 6–7.5 m

    • Side setback: around 0.9–1.5 m, scaling with wall height

    • Rear setback: usually 3–6 m, adjusted for slope and lot shape

  • Typical lot sizes

    • Most lots range between approximately 550 sqm to 850 sqm, many on gentle to moderate slopes

  • Key constraints

    • Bushfire Attack Level applies on properties near bushland

    • Steep site gradients require careful driveway and access management

    • Older blocks may need upgraded drainage and overland flow solutions

    • Potential overshadowing or amenity impacts on neighbouring homes must be considered

  • Utilities available

    • Standard services such as water, sewer, power, gas, and NBN are generally accessible

Building in Cromer Heights requires careful navigation of slope considerations, bushfire risk mitigation, and effective drainage planning to meet Northern Beaches Council expectations.

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

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

In Cromer Heights, both Development Applications (DA) and Complying Development Certificates (CDC) are common—depending on site complexity and design intentions. 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):

  • Ideal for sloping sites, full redesigns, or dual-occupancy proposals

  • We manage documentation, assessments, and council liaison

CDC (Complying Development Certificate):

  • Perfect for compliant extensions or rebuilds on flatter blocks

  • We'll evaluate your site and fast-track where possible

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 Cromer Heights

  • Definitely — they enhance stability, view access, and efficient use of land while reducing excavation.

  • Yes — especially where slope gradients are steep or subsoil stability is variable; we coordinate such assessments seamlessly.

  • If your property adjoins natural bushland, BAL-level impacts apply. We incorporate compliant materials, defendable spaces, and report coordination.

  • 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 Cromer Heights

We craft sustainable family homes, renovations, additions, and multi-generational layouts—with precision and purpose, fully ready for construction and council approval.

From concept to completion, our Cromer Heights building designs deliver style, compliance, and lasting value.

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

Discover our hillside designs—built to enhance privacy, capture light, and complement natural landforms.

Portfolio

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Home Designs

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Our Cromer Heights building designs are made for peaceful hillside living and timeless comfort.

Ready to Start Designing Your New Home in Cromer Heights?

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 Cromer Heights?

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.