Expert Building Design in Dee Why

Dee Why blends beachside lifestyle with urban convenience, offering a mix of apartments, family homes, and development-ready lots. With its elevated streets, sea breezes, and close-knit community, Dee Why is ideal for knockdown rebuilds, dual occupancies, and stylish renovations that maximize location and lifestyle.

At DMR Designs, we specialize in drafting services, council approval assistance & building design in Dee Why. Whether you're planning a sleek coastal home or unlocking development potential, we tailor every design to meet your goals and Northern Beaches Council planning rules.

We proudly serve Dee Why with bold, efficient, and livable designs that celebrate coastal life and meet every compliance requirement.

Why Choose DMR Designs for Building Design in Dee Why?

  • Coastal-Optimized Homes: Designed for breeze, views, and durability

  • Dual Occupancy & Duplex Expertise: We help you maximize land value

  • Family-Friendly Floorplans: Zoned living, open spaces, and plenty of natural light

  • Modern Knockdown Rebuilds: Reimagine your block with a fresh design

  • Complete Approval Support: From concept to final council submission

Our Dee Why building design services are smart, stylish, and tailored to meet both lifestyle and market needs.

Northern Beaches Council Requirements for Building in Dee Why

 

  • Zoning:

    • Primarily R2 Low Density Residential, with some R3 Medium Density zones closer to the town center

  • Setbacks:

    • Front: 6–7.5m

    • Side: 900mm–1.5m depending on height

    • Rear: 3–6m depending on block depth and slope

  • Typical Lot Sizes:

    • 450–750 sqm in low-density areas, often flatter toward the coast and sloped further inland

  • Key Constraints:

    • Some streets fall under view-sharing and solar access controls

    • BAL ratings possible near bushland reserves on higher elevations

    • Stormwater and drainage requirements can be strict on older lots

    • Duplex or secondary dwellings require detailed planning for access and parking

  • Utilities:

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

Building in Dee Why 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 Dee Why Project?

Both DA and CDC are used in Dee Why, depending on zoning, location, and project type. 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 duplexes, full rebuilds, or projects with complex site conditions

  • We manage the full process including site analysis, plans, and supporting reports

CDC (Complying Development Certificate):

  • Great for extensions or compliant knockdown rebuilds in R2 zones

  • We check eligibility and streamline approvals when 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 Dee Why

  • Yes—typically 8.5m in R2 zones. We model all designs to stay compliant while optimizing space and views.

  • Yes—in R2 or R3 zones with adequate frontage and area. We’ll assess your site and design accordingly.

  • Absolutely. We create designs that prioritize outdoor living, privacy, and view sharing compliance.

  • 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 Dee Why

From coastal homes to high-performing investment builds, our Dee Why building design services are tailored for maximum return and everyday enjoyment.

We design for how you live—and where you live.

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

Browse our work across Sydney’s Northern Beaches—designed for modern living, streamlined builds, and coastal resilience.

Portfolio

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Home Designs

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Our Dee Why building designs help you live bigger, brighter, and bolder.

Ready to Start Designing Your New Home in Dee Why?

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 Dee Why?

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.