Expert Building Design in Manly

Manly offers the best of both worlds—surf and sand, ferry to the city, and a vibrant mix of modern apartments, heritage homes, and beachfront living. With strict conservation zones, limited parking, and tight lots, designing in Manly takes experience, creativity, and council-savvy planning.

At DMR Designs, we specialize in drafting services, council approval assistance & building design in Manly. Whether you're transforming a weatherboard cottage, maximizing a narrow lot, or developing a contemporary duplex, we tailor every plan to meet local guidelines and bring out the best in your block.

We proudly serve Manly with stylish, compliant designs that capture the spirit of coastal living while handling the complexity of approvals.

Why Choose DMR Designs for Building Design in Manly?

  • Beachside Living Experts: Designs built for sea air, views, and lifestyle

  • Heritage-Sensitive Planning: Seamless upgrades that respect conservation character

  • Small Lot Specialists: We know how to make compact footprints feel spacious

  • Approvals Made Easy: We navigate view sharing, overshadowing, and tight setbacks

  • Tailored to Lifestyle: Outdoor showers, surfboard storage, flexible interiors—we’ve done it all

Our Manly building design services are equal parts lifestyle, precision, and architectural impact.

Northern Beaches Council Requirements for Building in Manly

 

  • Zoning:

    • R2 Low Density Residential, with heritage conservation areas and mixed-use zones near The Corso and beachfront

  • Setbacks:

    • Often guided by streetscape character or existing neighboring buildings

    • Side: 900mm–1.5m

    • Rear: Typically 3m or more

  • Typical Lot Sizes:

    • 200–500 sqm; narrow lots, battle-axe blocks, and heritage frontages common

  • Key Constraints:

    • Height limit of 8.5m enforced strictly

    • Heritage overlays in central Manly and Balgowlah Road precincts

    • Limited off-street parking space

    • View sharing and solar access rules affect second-story designs

    • Tree preservation often applies in backyard infill sites

  • Utilities:

    • Fully serviced — sewer, NBN, electricity, water, gas

Building in Manly 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 Manly Project?

Manly projects typically go through the DA process, especially due to heritage and view constraints. 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 most additions, new builds, and renovations

  • We provide heritage statements, shadow diagrams, and manage the full submission

CDC (Complying Development Certificate):

  • Possible for internal alterations or small-scale work on compliant lots

  • We assess and fast-track eligible applications

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 Manly

  • Yes—with sensitivity. We help you retain heritage elements while updating interiors and adding usable space.

  • Yes—but they must meet view sharing, height, and solar access controls. We model these early in the design process.

  • Usually with limitations. We navigate zero-lot-line opportunities while complying with council rules.

  • 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 Manly

From coastal cottages to sleek modern homes, our Manly building design services deliver form, function, and flair—backed by local experience.

We help you build for lifestyle and legacy in one of Sydney’s most sought-after suburbs.

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 our coastal and inner-suburban projects—designed to work within tight footprints, strict overlays, and vibrant neighborhoods.

Portfolio

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Home Designs

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Our Manly building designs bring relaxed luxury to life.

Ready to Start Designing Your New Home in Manly?

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 Manly?

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.