Expert Building Design in Rose Bay

Rose Bay is an exclusive harbourside suburb in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs, known for its waterfront views, leafy streets, and mix of luxury homes, apartments, and traditional houses. The suburb is sought after for its stunning harbour access, prestigious schools, and vibrant café and dining culture.

DMR Designs provides tailored building solutions in Rose Bay that complement the suburb’s coastal lifestyle while ensuring compliance with Waverley Council planning regulations.

We proudly serve Rose Bay with designs that combine elegance, functionality, and long-term value.

Why Choose DMR Designs for Building Design in Rose Bay?

  • Family-Oriented Layouts: Homes designed for comfort, flow, and modern family living.

  • Suburban Harmony: Designs that respect Rose Bay’s coastal charm and streetscape.

  • Compliance Expertise: Skilled navigation of Waverley Council’s planning controls.

  • Sustainable Practices: Energy-efficient and climate-responsive designs.

  • Adaptable Spaces: Customised for families, professionals, and multi-generational living.

Our Rose Bay designs deliver a balance of style, practicality, and compliance tailored to this coastal suburb.

Waverley Council Requirements for Building in Rose Bay

 

  • Zoning types:

    • R2 Low Density Residential

    • R3 Medium Density Residential

    • R4 High Density Residential

  • Setbacks:

    • Front setbacks generally range from 4.5m–6m

    • Side and rear setbacks vary by dwelling type and lot size

  • Typical lot sizes:

    • Detached homes: 450m²–700m²+

    • Townhouse/duplex sites: 250m²–400m²

  • Key constraints:

    • Coastal and foreshore building restrictions

    • Height limits to protect harbour views

    • Potential heritage and conservation overlays

  • Utilities available:

    • Fully serviced with water, sewer, electricity, gas, and NBN

Building in Rose Bay demands designs that respect the suburb’s harbourside character while meeting all council standards.

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

DA vs CDC: What’s Right for Your Rose Bay 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 multi-dwelling projects, apartments, or proposals exceeding CDC standards.

  • Needed for sites within heritage conservation areas or foreshore overlays.

CDC (Complying Development Certificate):

  • Suitable for single dwellings, duplexes, and extensions that meet council requirements.

  • Allows faster approval for compliant and straightforward projects.

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 Rose Bay

  • Rose Bay features a mix of luxury waterfront homes, modern apartments, and family residences, making it diverse yet premium in housing options.

  • Yes, height controls are enforced to preserve harbour views and the coastal character of the suburb. These vary depending on zoning and exact location.

  • Duplex development is possible in suitable zones such as R2 or R3, provided the lot size, setbacks, and frontage meet Waverley Council requirements.

  • While we know the Waverley area well, we also work across many suburbs within the Waverley Council area, including Bondi, Bronte, Tamarama, and more. Additionally, we are available for select projects up to 4 hours away from the Waverley 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 coastal renovations to specialized compliance plans, we’re here to help you move forward with clarity and confidence. We’d love to hear about your Waverley project and how we can assist.

Our Building Design Services in Rose Bay

We offer customised building designs for homes, duplexes, and townhouses suited to Rose Bay’s unique character and planning standards.
From concept to council approval, we ensure compliance, innovation, and high-quality outcomes.

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 Rose Bay portfolio showcasing coastal-inspired homes that balance luxury, lifestyle, and compliance.

Portfolio

⇨

Home Designs

⇨

Building in Rose Bay requires expert planning and design—exactly what we provide.

Ready to Start Designing Your New Home in Rose Bay?

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

starting fresh or upgrading your WAVERLEY 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 Rose Bay?

DMR Designs proudly works with homeowners across the entire Waverley Council area. From Bondi and Bronte to Tamarama and beyond, we bring the same personalized design approach to every project—no matter where you call home.