Expert Building Design in Terrey Hills

Nestled near the fringe of Garigal National Park, Terrey Hills offers a tranquil, semi-rural lifestyle with expansive acreages, lush bushland, and generous blocks. With steep terrain, bushfire‑prone zones, and environmental overlays, building here requires a considered approach including site planning, BAL assessments, and access design.

At DMR Designs, we specialize in custom home design, drafting, and council approval services in Terrey Hills. Whether you’re building a rural retreat or renovating on acreage, we simplify the process from concept to final approval—no matter how complex the block.

We proudly serve Terrey Hills with sustainable, high-performance home designs tailored to semi-rural living and rural‑zoned regulations.

Why Choose DMR Designs for Building Design in Terrey Hills?

  • Acreage & Rural Design Expertise: Custom layouts designed to complement large blocks, open spaces, and natural landforms.

  • Bushfire-Ready Homes: We manage BAL assessments, fire-wise materials, and defensible zones to safeguard your home.

  • Site-Smart Access Planning: Designs that consider long driveway alignments, slope logistics, and bushland buffers.

  • Eco-Efficient & Livable Homes: Energy-conscious orientations, rainwater integration, and passive solar solutions.

  • Full-Service DA Coordination: From environmental overlays to site data, we handle your full DA submission seamlessly.

Our Terrey Hills design services are tailored to families, downsizers, and investors looking to build homes that elevate both form and function.

Northern Beaches Council Requirements for Building in Terrey Hills

 

  • Zoning:

    • RU2 Rural Landscape and E4 Environmental Living—strong focus on preserving semi-rural character and green space.

  • Setbacks:

    • Typically 10 m+ front and side setbacks to ensure bushland protection and landscaping space.

  • Typical Lot Sizes:

    • Very large — ranging from 1,500 sqm up to several hectares, often sloping with natural vegetation.

  • Key Constraints:

    • Bushfire Zones (BAL‑12.5 to BAL‑FZ) common across properties.

    • Effluent Management: On-site waste systems required near undeveloped areas.

    • Driveway & Stormwater Engineering essential for large, sloped sites.

    • Biodiversity Overlays may restrict clearing and building footprint.

  • Utilities:

    • Mains power often available; water and sewer usually not. Many properties require tank water, solar, and septic design solutions.

Building in Terrey Hills involves balancing architectural ambition with local planning overlays and sensitive natural surroundings.

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

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

Development Applications are standard for Terrey Hills due to rural zoning, bushfire risk, and site complexity. 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):

  • Highly recommended for any new build, substantial addition, or accessory dwelling.

CDC (Complying Development Certificate):

  • Less common, only for minor internal renovations on flat, cleared lots.

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 Terrey Hills

  • Absolutely. We specialize in solar, rainwater, and septic-equipped designs personalized for semi-rural living.

  • Often, yes—especially where mature trees or vegetation clearing are involved. We coordinate these assess­ments.

  • Northern Beaches guidelines generally limit driveways to a maximum gradient of around 1:8. We design for safe, compliant access aligned with council standards.

  • 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 Terrey Hills

Whether it’s a bushland studio, stone-clad family home, or multi‑level rural residence—our Terrey Hills designs focus on durability, efficiency, and quiet elegance. Every plan embraces the landscape, reduces disturbance, and ensures regulatory harmony.

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

Browse our work across semi-rural Sydney suburbs like Ingleside, Duffys Forest, and Elanora Heights—demonstrating sensitive design, precision engineering, and successful approvals.

Portfolio

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Home Designs

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DMR Designs brings sophistication and compliance to every terrey Hills home we design.

Ready to Start Designing Your New Home in Terrey Hills?

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 Terrey Hills?

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.