Expert Building Design in Glenorie

Glenorie is a charming rural-residential suburb nestled between The Hills and Hornsby Shire, known for its expansive acreage lots, quiet lifestyle, and village atmosphere. With fresh produce markets, local cafés, and easy access to both Dural and Galston, Glenorie offers a peaceful lifestyle just an hour from the city—ideal for families, retirees, and those seeking space to grow.

At DMR Designs, we specialize in drafting services, council approval assistance & building design in Glenorie—offering custom acreage homes, renovations, and dual occupancies that embrace the rural setting while ensuring full council compliance. Whether you’re planning a new home, extension, or secondary dwelling, our designs bring comfort, efficiency, and lifestyle together.

DMR Designs proudly serves Glenorie and surrounding rural suburbs with tailored, compliant, and practical building designs. We also take on select projects within a 2 to 4 hour travel radius from the Glenorie area.

Why Choose DMR Designs for Building Design in Glenorie?

  • Rural & Acreage Design Experts: We understand how to design for Glenorie’s large blocks—whether it’s single-level homesteads, secondary dwellings, or outdoor living zones.

  • Council Navigation Made Easy: We work with both The Hills and Hornsby councils to ensure your project complies with zoning, bushfire, and environmental rules.

  • Designed for Lifestyle: Our plans take advantage of wide frontages, views, and natural features—perfect for rural living.

  • Full-Service Support: From site visits and drafting to consultant coordination and approvals, we manage the entire process.

  • Tailored Extensions & Upgrades: Ideal for older Glenorie homes ready for a fresh, functional layout.

Our Glenorie building design projects reflect the area’s rural lifestyle—spacious, practical, and surrounded by nature.

The Hills Shire Council Requirements for Building in Glenorie

  • General Setbacks:

    • Front: 15m–20m | Side: 5m–10m, depending on zoning and lot size

  • Floor Space Ratio (FSR):

    • Often 0.1:1 on RU1/RU4 land; higher in R2-zoned residential pockets

  • Average Block Size:

    • 2,000 sqm to 5+ acres common for most properties

  • Zoning:

    • A mix of RU1 Primary Production, RU4 Rural Small Holdings, and R2 Low Density Residential

  • Local Considerations:

    • Many properties are bushfire-prone or environmentally sensitive. Most builds require bushfire, biodiversity, or geotech reports.

Building in glenorie must meet The Hills Shire Council’s setback and block coverage rules to preserve the area's character.

For detailed council regulations and submission guidelines, visit the The Hills Shire Council website.

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

Most Glenorie projects—especially on rural land—require a Development Application (DA). However, some standard residential builds may qualify for a CDC.

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


DA (Development Application):

  • Required for rural sites, sloping blocks, and large builds

  • Lodged with the relevant local council

  • More flexibility and suitable for complex layouts or multi-dwelling sites

CDC (Complying Development Certificate):

  • Approved by a private certifier

  • May be used for compliant builds in R2 zones or simple structures

  • Quicker if all criteria are met—but not often suitable for rural blocks


We’ll assess your property and suggest the most efficient, stress-free approval route.

 

FAQs About Building Design in Glenorie

  • Yes—especially for RU-zoned land. Most projects require a DA, and we’ll help manage the entire approval process.

  • Design to submission typically takes 8–12 weeks, depending on site conditions and necessary reports.

  • Absolutely. We regularly design rural structures like studios, workshops, and detached dwellings.

  • No—we also work in nearby areas like Galston, Dural, and Arcadia. We're also available for select projects up to 4 hours away from The Hill Shire 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?

We’re rural design experts—and we’d love to help with your Glenorie home or upgrade.
Let’s bring your vision to life.

Our Building Design Services in Glenorie

We specialize in new home designs, extensions, dual occupancies, secondary dwellings, and rural buildings across Glenorie. Whether you’re starting with raw land or upgrading a long-held property, we’ll design something that fits your lifestyle.

From concept to council, we manage it all—so you can enjoy the process and the outcome.

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 how our rural designs have transformed Glenorie homes into modern, comfortable sanctuaries. Every plan is grounded in practical living and local compliance.

Portfolio

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Home Designs

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Whether you’re building a family retreat or upgrading your property, our Glenorie building design services are here to make it happen.

Ready to Start Designing Your New Home in Glenorie?

From sheds to secondary dwellings and everything in between

we’re here to help.

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 Glenorie?

DMR Designs proudly works with homeowners across The Hills Shire Council area. From Baulkham Hills and Kellyville to Norwest and beyond, we bring the same personalized design approach to every project—wherever you call home.