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SA Planning Portal - PlanSA

South Australia's online planning system, which includes the SA Planning Portal - PlanSA Portal, and Planning and Design Code, commenced 19 March 2021.

The system has been developed to support better design across the state, include one set of guidelines for your convenience, provide easier to understand information on what can and can't be achieved upfront, and encourage community involvement so that you can have your say on development that matters to you the most.

It includes a more consistent process of development application assessment through PlanSA Assessment Pathways. This process of assessment will be undertaken by a range of experts for best results and allow quicker outcomes for simpler applications such as carports, pergola's, and verandahs, so more time and energy can be spent on complex applications.

For more information on the new planning system visit PlanSA.

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What is the PlanSA Portal?

The PlanSA Portal is a 100% online, convenient, 24/7 planning portal for all South Australians's to find out if you need approval, lodge development applications, track and monitor the progress of applications and receive notifications for application decisions by email.

If you wish to lodge a development application you'll need to create an online account - register today.

Planning and Design Code

A significant element of the State’s planning reform involved replacing all 72 South Australian Development Plans with a single state-wide planning rule book, the Planning and Design Code. There are three different ways that you can view the Code dependant on your situation.

Assessment Pathways

The Planning, Development and Infrastructure (General) Regulations 2017 replaced the Development Regulations 2008 to guide the assessment of all development applications lodged under the planning system. The assessment pathways enable the delivery of faster approvals, fast-tracking of deemed-to-satisfy development applications, and more consistent planning rules for performance-based assessment.

Public Notifications

Major reforms to South Australia’s planning system have impacted how the public is notified about new development. Find out more on Applications on Public Notification.

FAQs

When you submit a development application via the Plan SA Portal, you will be prompted to confirm if you wish to accept responsibility for placing the notice on the land, or you may request Council to place the notice on the land on your behalf.

There are costs associated with public notification, which are extra to the standard development application fees:

  • Display of public sign - $350 (not payable if you will be erecting the sign yourself);
  • Public notification fee - $255

To find out the Zone that applies to your site and to confirm the relevant policies applying to your development, you can access South Australia’s online Planning and Design Code at code.plan.sa.gov.au.

Impact assessed development includes major developments such as a new port or new foundry.

Impact assessed development will need a full analysis of environmental, social, or economic effects related to the proposed development.

Code assessed development includes applications that will be assessed against the Planning and Design Code.

For example, developments such as a detached house in a residential zone may be fast tracked as a deemed-to-satisfy development application, whereas more complex applications such as multi-story buildings may be subject to performance-based assessment.

Accepted development refers to more standard applications that need building consent only or no approval at all. For example, a shop fit-out may need building consent only.

For more information visit PlanSA's Assessment Pathways.

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Applications on public notification

Development public notices provide details of potential and current development occurring in and around your community.

Read more about Applications on public notification
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Building approval types

Do I need building approval? If you're asking yourself this question, you're not alone - to find out if you need building approval follow these steps.

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Submit a development application

All development applications lodged on and after 19 March 2021 will be assessed under the new Planning and Design Code.

Read more about Submit a development application

PlanSA related pages

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