Expert Building Design in St Marys

St Marys is a well-established suburb in Sydney’s west, known for its vibrant town centre, strong transport links, and community facilities. With a mix of heritage homes, modern residences, and upcoming development tied to the Western Sydney Airport, it’s a suburb balancing tradition with growth. Families and professionals are drawn to its schools, shopping hubs, and access to major roads and rail.

DMR Designs provides tailored building solutions in St Marys that suit the suburb’s blend of residential and mixed-use character, while meeting Penrith City Council planning controls.

We proudly design for St Marys, combining comfort, modern functionality, and compliance.

Why Choose DMR Designs for Building Design in St Marys?

  • Family-Oriented Layouts: Practical homes designed for modern family lifestyles.

  • Suburban Harmony: Designs that complement St Marys’ mix of heritage and modern streetscapes.

  • Compliance Expertise: Skilled in navigating Penrith Council’s zoning and development guidelines.

  • Sustainable Practices: Energy-efficient, future-proofed designs.

  • Adaptable Spaces: Homes suited to families, investors, and multi-generational living.

Our St Marys designs deliver the right balance of functionality, style, and council compliance.

Penrith Council Requirements for Building in St Marys

 

  • Zoning types

    • R2 (Low Density Residential)

    • R3 (Medium Density Residential)

    • B4 (Mixed Use in town centre precincts)

  • Setbacks

    • Front setbacks generally 5.5–6 m in residential zones

    • Rear setbacks: typically 6 m, or 4 m for single-storey dwellings in R2/R3

    • Side setbacks vary depending on lot width and building height

  • Typical lot sizes

    • Detached homes: usually ≥ 450–650 m²

    • Duplex/dual occupancy: 650 m² attached, 750 m² detached

    • Townhouse/multi-dwelling: minimum 1,000–1,200 m²

  • Key constraints

    • Height limits generally capped at 8.5 m for R2 and 11 m for R3

    • Landscaped area minimums: 50% for R2, 40–50% for R3

    • Some areas have heritage overlays or flood-affected land controls

  • Utilities available

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

Building in St Marys requires designs that align with both its evolving character and council development standards.

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

DA vs CDC: What’s Right for Your St Marys 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 larger projects such as townhouses, apartments, or when seeking variations to standards.

  • Essential for sites within heritage precincts or environmentally sensitive land.

CDC (Complying Development Certificate):

  • Appropriate for single dwellings, duplexes, or straightforward extensions that meet Penrith LEP/DCP standards.

  • Offers faster approvals when designs comply fully with zoning and building controls.

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 St Marys

  • Central precincts around Queen Street fall under Mixed Use zoning (B4), allowing for both residential and commercial developments.

  • Yes, attached dual occupancies are allowed on lots 650 m² and above, while detached dual occupancies require 750 m² or more.

  • Certain streets contain heritage-listed buildings or fall within conservation areas, meaning new designs must respect historic character and may require DA approval.

  • 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 St Marys

We create customised designs for homes, duplexes, and townhouses, ensuring each project in St Marys fits local character and complies with Penrith planning rules. From early concepts to final approval, we deliver style, compliance, and quality.

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 St Marys portfolio, showcasing homes that blend lifestyle, local character, and council compliance.

Portfolio

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Home Designs

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Building in St Marys requires careful attention to planning and design—exactly what DMR Designs provides.

Ready to Start Designing Your New Home in St Marys?

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 St Marys?

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.