Expert Building Design in West Pennant Hills

West Pennant Hills is one of Sydney’s most sought-after leafy suburbs, offering a blend of prestige, privacy, and family-focused living. Known for its wide blocks, mature tree-lined streets, and proximity to elite schools like The Kings School and Tara, it’s the ideal location for luxury homes, modern renovations, and knockdown-rebuild projects.

At DMR Designs, we specialize in drafting services, council approval assistance & building design in West Pennant Hills—creating tailored designs that complement the suburb’s upscale aesthetic and meet all planning requirements. Whether you’re transforming an older brick home or building new on a prime block, we bring local insight and architectural excellence to every project.

DMR Designs proudly serves West Pennant Hills and surrounding areas with compliant, elegant, and highly functional designs. We also take on select projects within a 2 to 4 hour travel radius from the West Pennant Hills area.

Why Choose DMR Designs for Building Design in West Pennant Hills?

  • Knockdown-Rebuild Expertise: Ideal for upgrading older homes to fit the modern West Pennant Hills lifestyle

  • Designs That Respect Local Character: We balance contemporary design with the established charm of the area

  • Large Block Specialists: We maximize the use of generous land sizes and site orientation

  • Council-Focused Process: We’re familiar with The Hills and City of Parramatta Council requirements

  • Premium Results, End-to-End: From concept to council, we deliver luxury-ready plans with a stress-free process

Our West Pennant Hills building design projects reflect the area’s prestige while remaining fully council compliant.

The Hills Shire Council Requirements for Building in West Pennant Hills

  • General Setbacks:

    • Front: 6m–9m | Side: 1.2m–1.5m | Rear: 3m+

  • Floor Space Ratio (FSR):

    • Generally up to 0.5:1 for R2 zoned properties

  • Average Block Size:

    • 700–1,200 sqm; many lots feature slopes or mature trees

  • Zoning:

    • Primarily R2 Low Density Residential; some lots may fall under split council boundaries (Hills and Parramatta)

  • Local Considerations:

    • West Pennant Hills has heritage pockets, slope-sensitive lots, and tree preservation controls that may apply

Building in West Pennant Hills must meet both The Hills Shire and City of Parramatta Council’s setback and coverage rules to preserve the area’s leafy, low-density character.

For detailed council regulations and submission guidelines, visit the The Hills Shire Council website.

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

The right path depends on block conditions—many homes qualify for CDC, but sloping sites or tree constraints may require DA.

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


DA (Development Application):

  • Recommended for sloped or tree-sensitive sites, custom builds, or larger homes

  • Lodged through The Hills or City of Parramatta Council

  • Offers flexibility for high-end or complex designs

CDC (Complying Development Certificate):

  • Suitable for flatter blocks with straightforward layouts

  • Approved by private certifiers

  • A faster option when your plans meet all standards


We’ll review your block details and guide you on the most efficient and compliant path.

 

FAQs About Building Design in West Pennant Hills

  • Yes—almost all builds will require a DA or CDC, especially in areas with trees or heritage overlays.

  • Typically 6–10 weeks from design to submission, depending on complexity and approvals required.

  • Absolutely. We specialize in sensitive site designs and collaborate with arborists and engineers where needed.

  • No—we also work in Cherrybrook, Beecroft, Pennant Hills, and surrounding suburbs. We're also available for select projects up to 4 hours away from The Hill Shire 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?

We’ll help you bring your West Pennant Hills dream home to life—tailored, elegant, and fully approved.

Our Building Design Services in West Pennant Hills

We design everything from luxury knockdown-rebuilds and duplexes to timeless family homes and modern additions. Every project is shaped by the land, local context, and your lifestyle goals.

Let’s make your vision a reality.

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 how we’ve brought elegant, functional designs to life for families across Sydney’s northwestern suburbs.

Portfolio

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Home Designs

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Our West Pennant Hills building design services deliver homes that feel luxurious, livable, and future-ready.

Ready to Start Designing Your New Home in West Pennant Hills?

Let’s create a design that blends

architectural excellence with everyday comfort.

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 West Pennant Hills?

DMR Designs proudly works with homeowners across The Hills Shire Council area. From Baulkham Hills and Kellyville to Norwest and beyond, we bring the same personalized design approach to every project—wherever you call home.