Expert Building Design in Scarborough

Scarborough is a stunning coastal suburb in the northern Illawarra, known for its dramatic ocean views, heritage cottages, and elevated clifftop streets. With its famous Scarborough Hotel and proximity to the Sea Cliff Bridge, the suburb offers a mix of holiday homes, renovated weatherboard houses, and new modern builds designed to maximise the coastal setting. Families, professionals, and retirees are drawn here for its relaxed lifestyle and spectacular coastal scenery.

At DMR Designs, we specialise in Building Design Scarborough projects that respect the suburb’s unique clifftop and coastal character. From modern beachside residences with expansive balconies to sensitive renovations of heritage homes, we create designs that comply fully with Wollongong City Council regulations.

We take pride in delivering Scarborough building designs that combine lifestyle, functionality, and architectural style — ensuring every project enhances the natural beauty and coastal charm of the area.

Why Choose DMR Designs for Building Design in Scarborough?

  • Coastal Integration: Homes that capture sea breezes, light, and panoramic views.

  • Heritage Respect: Designs that complement Scarborough’s character cottages and older homes.

  • Noise & Privacy Solutions: Smart layouts to protect comfort on exposed coastal blocks.

  • Compliance Expertise: Proven navigation of Wollongong City Council coastal controls.

  • Sustainable Practices: Eco-friendly features that suit Scarborough’s natural environment.

Our Scarborough designs deliver a balance of coastal appeal, compliance, and comfort tailored to this unique suburb.

Wollongong Council Requirements for Building in Scarborough

 

  • Zoning types:

    • R2 Low Density Residential

    • E3 Environmental Management (for clifftop and sensitive areas)

  • Setbacks:

    • Front setbacks generally 6m to preserve views and streetscape

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

  • Typical lot sizes:

    • Detached homes: 500m²–800m²

    • Duplex/townhouse lots: 300m²–400m² per dwelling

  • Key constraints:

    • Coastal erosion and slope stability on clifftop sites

    • Height and view corridor restrictions to protect neighbours

    • Heritage overlays for older cottages and established streetscapes

  • Utilities available:

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

Building in Scarborough requires designs that respect coastal conditions, heritage charm, and strict council controls.

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

DA vs CDC: What’s Right for Your Scarborough 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 homes on clifftop lots, heritage properties, or designs seeking height variations.

  • Necessary for duplexes or multi-dwelling projects on constrained coastal land.

CDC (Complying Development Certificate):

  • Suitable for straightforward single dwellings or extensions on compliant low-risk lots.

  • Limited in Scarborough due to slope, heritage, and environmental constraints.

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 Scarborough

  • The suburb has a mix of weatherboard cottages, modern coastal homes with balconies, and renovated older residences.

  • Yes, strict controls apply for height, slope stability, and coastal view protection, along with heritage overlays in older streets.

  • Absolutely — we specialise in coastal layouts that frame ocean views while meeting Wollongong City Council’s height and setback requirements.

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

Our Building Design Services in Scarborough

We provide building design in Scarborough for custom homes, duplexes, and townhouses. Many projects here involve renovating older cottages, building clifftop residences with panoramic views, or creating low-maintenance coastal retreats.

From concept through to council approval, we deliver designs that balance coastal living, compliance, and architectural integrity.

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

Our Scarborough projects highlight how careful design can embrace the suburb’s clifftop views while respecting its character and environment.

Portfolio

⇨

Home Designs

⇨

Building in Scarborough requires specialist planning — and that’s where our expertise makes the difference.

Ready to Start Designing Your New Home in Scarborough?

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

starting fresh or upgrading your Wollongong 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 Scarborough?

DMR Designs proudly works with homeowners across the entire Wollongong City Council area. From Corrimal and Fairy Meadow to Figtree and beyond, we bring the same personalized design approach to every project—no matter where you call home.