Expert Building Design in Orchard Hills

Orchard Hills is a semi-rural suburb in Western Sydney, known for its large residential lots, green landscapes, and peaceful lifestyle. The area combines acreage properties, modern homes, and small hobby farms, offering residents a balance between suburban convenience and rural charm. Its proximity to the M4 Motorway and the upcoming Western Sydney Airport makes it highly sought after for families and investors.

DMR Designs provides tailored building solutions in Orchard Hills that reflect the suburb’s unique rural-residential character, while meeting Penrith City Council’s planning regulations.

We proudly design homes in Orchard Hills that blend lifestyle, comfort, and compliance.

Why Choose DMR Designs for Building Design in Orchard Hills?

  • Acreage Living Designs: Spacious layouts designed for large blocks and semi-rural settings.

  • Character Harmony: Homes that complement Orchard Hills’ natural landscape and streetscape.

  • Regulatory Expertise: In-depth knowledge of Penrith Council’s rural and residential zoning.

  • Sustainable Focus: Eco-friendly designs suited for larger sites and modern families.

  • Flexible Options: Custom plans for families, professionals, and multi-generational households.

Our Orchard Hills designs are built to suit acreage living while ensuring council compliance.

Penrith Council Requirements for Building in Orchard Hills

 

  • Zoning types

    • RU4 (Primary Production Small Lots)

    • R2 (Low Density Residential, in select areas)

  • Setbacks

    • Front: typically 10–15 m for rural lots, 4.5–6 m for residential

    • Side: 5–10 m rural, 0.9–1.5 m residential

    • Rear: 10 m+ rural, 3–8 m residential

  • Typical lot sizes

    • Acreage properties: 2,000–20,000 m²+

    • Residential lots: 450–700 m²

  • Key constraints

    • Height restrictions: 8.5 m residential, 10 m rural

    • Bushfire-prone land in some zones

    • Environmental overlays and tree preservation rules

  • Utilities available

    • Fully serviced with water, sewer, electricity, gas, and NBN, though some rural areas use tank water or onsite systems

Building in Orchard Hills demands designs that respect both rural landscapes and suburban growth.

For detailed council regulations and submission guidelines, visit the Penrith Council website.

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

Whether it’s a Development Application (DA) or a Complying Development Certificate (CDC), we’ll guide you in finding the fastest and most compliant approval pathway—anywhere in New South Wales.

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

DA (Development Application):

  • Required for rural sites, larger dwellings, or environmentally constrained land.

  • Necessary when seeking design flexibility outside CDC standards.

CDC (Complying Development Certificate):

  • Suitable for new homes or additions that strictly meet Penrith Council’s zoning controls.

  • Allows a faster approval process on compliant residential sites.

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 Orchard Hills

  • Subdivision depends on zoning. Rural RU4 lots usually have minimum size restrictions, while R2 zones allow smaller subdivisions.

  • Yes, certain areas are bushfire-prone, requiring BAL (Bushfire Attack Level) assessments in the design process.

  • Acreage homes, rural-style residences, and modern family houses are most common, often designed for open layouts and larger frontages.

  • While we know the Penrith area well, we also work across many suburbs within the Penrith City Council area, including St Marys, Emu Plains, Jordan Springs, and more. Additionally, we are available for select projects up to 4 hours away from the Penrith 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 large acreage properties to specialized compliance plans, we’re here to help you move forward with clarity and confidence. We’d love to hear about your Penrith project and how we can assist.

Our Building Design Services in Orchard Hills

We provide custom home, duplex, and acreage property designs that reflect Orchard Hills’ character and planning standards. From rural lifestyle homes to modern residential builds, we guide projects from start to finish.

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 Orchard Hills design portfolio, showcasing homes that combine lifestyle, compliance, and sustainability.

Portfolio

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Home Designs

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Building in Orchard Hills requires specialised planning and design knowledge—something DMR Designs delivers with expertise.

Ready to Start Designing Your New Home in Orchard Hills?

We’re here to help you take the next step, whether you’re

starting fresh or upgrading your Penrith home.

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 Orchard Hills?

DMR Designs proudly works with homeowners across the entire Penrith City Council area. From St Marys and Emu Plains to Jordan Springs and beyond, we bring the same personalized design approach to every project—no matter where you call home.