Expert Building Design in Kenthurst

Kenthurst offers the perfect balance of country charm and suburban convenience, known for its sprawling acreages, leafy streets, and relaxed, high-end lifestyle. With easy access to Dural, Castle Hill, and the broader Hills District, Kenthurst attracts families, retirees, and professionals looking for space, privacy, and prestige in a rural setting.

At DMR Designs, we specialize in drafting services, council approval assistance & building design in Kenthurst—offering custom acreage homes, renovations, dual occupancies, and extensions that suit both the land and lifestyle. Whether you’re building from the ground up or transforming an older home, we design with functionality, style, and compliance in mind.

DMR Designs proudly serves Kenthurst and neighboring acreage suburbs with tailored, regulation-ready, and future-focused designs. We also take on select projects within a 2 to 4 hour travel radius from the Kenthurst region.

Why Choose DMR Designs for Building Design in Kenthurst?

  • Specialists in Acreage & Rural Living: Our designs make the most of Kenthurst’s spacious blocks, incorporating lifestyle features like pools, sheds, and alfresco zones.

  • Full Compliance with Rural Zoning Controls: We work across RU1, RU4, and R2 zones to ensure every design meets The Hills Shire Council requirements.

  • Custom Designs, Never Generic: From single-level country homes to multi-generational builds, we tailor your plans to fit your vision and your land.

  • End-to-End Project Management: We handle the full journey—from site visits and concept plans to consultant coordination and approvals.

  • Seamless Extensions & Additions: Perfect for older Kenthurst homes ready for a contemporary refresh or upgrade.

Our Kenthurst building design projects are created for rural comfort, long-term liveability, and seamless council approval.

The Hills Shire Council Requirements for Building in Kenthurst

  • General Setbacks:

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

  • Floor Space Ratio (FSR):

    • Typically 0.1:1 for RU1/RU4 land; higher ratios for R2 residential zones

  • Average Block Size:

    • Most lots range from 4,000 sqm to 2 hectares or more

  • Zoning:

    • Primarily RU4 (Rural Small Holdings), RU1 (Primary Production), and select R2 residential pockets

  • Local Considerations:

    • Properties may be subject to bushfire risk, environmental constraints, or require geotechnical and biodiversity reports

Building in Kenthurst must meet The Hills Shire Council’s rural zoning and setback rules to preserve the suburb’s spacious, semi-rural character.

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

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

Most Kenthurst developments require a DA due to rural zoning, land size, or site complexity, but CDC may apply to smaller compliant works in R2 areas.

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


DA (Development Application):

  • Required for RU-zoned properties and custom acreage homes

  • Lodged with The Hills Shire Council

  • Suitable for larger builds, secondary dwellings, or works in bushfire-prone areas

CDC (Complying Development Certificate):

  • May be used in R2 zones for compliant builds

  • Approved by a private certifier

  • Quicker process, but limited flexibility


We’ll guide you through the right approval process based on your land and project scope.

 

FAQs About Building Design in Kenthurst

  • Yes—most works in Kenthurst require a DA due to rural zoning. We’ll help you navigate the process.

  • Most projects take 8–12 weeks from design to submission, factoring in necessary reports and approvals.

  • Absolutely. We regularly work with clients wanting dual occupancy designs, granny flats, or large family setups on acreage land.

  • No—we also work across Dural, Glenorie, Maraylya, and other Hills suburbs with similar zoning. 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?

From rural retreats to large-scale family homes, we design homes that truly belong in Kenthurst.
Let’s talk about your vision.

Our Building Design Services in Kenthurst

We design custom homes, acreage dwellings, rural dual occupancies, extensions, and more—always with local zoning and block orientation in mind. Whether you’re upgrading a property or building from scratch, we bring practical creativity to every stage.

From concept to council, we manage the full journey.

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

Check out how we’ve transformed Kenthurst blocks into rural masterpieces—from large family homes to dual living arrangements.

Portfolio

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Home Designs

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Whether you’re downsizing to acreage or building your dream forever home, our Kenthurst building design services bring your goals to life.

Ready to Start Designing Your New Home in Kenthurst?

We’d love to help bring your next project to life

We’re ready when you are.

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 Kenthurst?

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.