Expert Building Design in Narrabeen

Narrabeen offers an iconic Northern Beaches lifestyle—surf, lake views, local cafés, and excellent connectivity. With its blend of classic beach shacks, modern apartments, and family homes, there’s endless potential for renovations, rebuilds, and thoughtful infill development.

At DMR Designs, we specialize in drafting services, council approval assistance & building design in Narrabeen. Whether you’re maximizing lake views, extending an old cottage, or building a duplex, we craft custom solutions tailored to your site and Northern Beaches Council guidelines.

We proudly serve Narrabeen with flexible, future-focused home designs that balance lifestyle, compliance, and value.

Why Choose DMR Designs for Building Design in Narrabeen?

  • Coastal Design Expertise: Natural ventilation, outdoor living, and durable finishes

  • Lake & Ocean Orientation: Designs that make the most of water views and sun paths

  • Heritage & Infill Specialists: Smart upgrades that respect the suburb’s character

  • Duplex & Secondary Dwellings: Full compliance with zoning and lot requirements

  • Stress-Free Approvals: We handle drainage, overshadowing, bushfire risk, and more

Our Narrabeen building design services help you navigate complex sites while creating beautiful, liveable spaces.

Northern Beaches Council Requirements for Building in Narrabeen

 

  • Zoning:

    • Mostly R2 Low Density Residential, with some R3 Medium Density zones and E4 Environmental Living near the lagoon and bushland

  • Setbacks:

    • Front: 6m typical or in line with neighbors

    • Side: 900mm–1.5m depending on height

    • Rear: 3–6m; lagoon-side may have additional requirements

  • Typical Lot Sizes:

    • 350–800 sqm; flat and narrow blocks are common near the lake and beach

  • Key Constraints:

    • Flood-prone areas near Narrabeen Lagoon

    • BAL-12.5 to BAL-29 in bush-adjacent pockets

    • Height limit of 8.5m

    • Street parking is limited—off-street parking is often a requirement

    • Drainage and stormwater planning essential for low-lying blocks

  • Utilities:

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

Building in Narrabeen 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 Narrabeen Project?

Both pathways are common, depending on flood zoning and bushfire classification. 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 waterfront builds or flood-affected lots

  • We coordinate all planning reports, environmental responses, and submission details

CDC (Complying Development Certificate):

  • Ideal for internal renovations or compliant extensions on standard blocks

  • We confirm eligibility and manage the fast-tracked approval process

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 Narrabeen

  • Yes, with elevated floor levels, appropriate drainage, and council consent. We manage flood planning and design compliance.

  • We recommend open layouts, breeze paths, corrosion-resistant materials, and shaded outdoor zones for year-round comfort.

  • Yes, on suitable R2 or R3 lots. We assess zoning, width, and area requirements to determine feasibility.

  • 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 Narrabeen

From compact family homes to elevated flood-safe dwellings, our Narrabeen building design services are custom-built for a coastal lifestyle with year-round functionality.

We help you enjoy more light, space, and flow—without the stress of approvals.

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 projects in nearby Warriewood, Collaroy, and Elanora Heights—built to meet council controls while embracing beachside life.

Portfolio

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Home Designs

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Our Narrabeen building designs are made for modern living with nature and lifestyle at heart.

Ready to Start Designing Your New Home in Narrabeen?

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 Narrabeen?

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.