Relevant rules in Regulation:

  • Schedule 1, Part 1.4, Division 1.4.1
    • Section 1.30 for external cooling and water heating services
    • Section 1.31 for photovoltaic panels.

You don't need DA approval to install these items if:

  • no part of it is within 1.5m of a side boundary or rear boundary of the block
  • the distance from the top of the service to the closest point of the roof is no more than 1.5m (if mounted on a roof)
  • the service doesn't project beyond the relevant solar building envelope (if mounted on a roof), and
  • no part of the service is between a front boundary and a building line for the block (if mounted on the ground).

An external photovoltaic panel (PV) doesn’t need DA if:

  • no part of it is within 1.5m of a side boundary or rear boundary of the block
  • no part of a ground mounted panel is between the front boundary and the building line of the block
  • no part of the panel projects beyond any relevant solar building envelope, and
  • if the panel is a protruding panel on a block to which no solar building envelope applies, no part of a protruding panel:
    • is higher than 300mm above the closest point of the roof (see image below), or
    • restricts solar access of another block.

PV panel rules diagram. A protruding panel restricts solar access to another block if, on the winter solstice, when the sun's angle is 300 above the horizon, the panel’s shadow at ground level on the other block is larger than the shadow that would be cast by the roof without the panel.

A protruding panel restricts solar access to another block, if on the winter solstice when the sun's angle is 30° above the horizon, the panels shadow at ground level on the other block is larger than the shadow that would be cast by the roof without the panel.

You’ll need DA approval if:

  • PV panels will have significant impacts on your neighbours' access to solar, and
  • the panels do not meet the provisions of the Environment Protection Act 1997.

Other considerations

Keep in mind other laws may also apply. This includes heritage laws and energy efficiency provisions of building laws.

The installation must also follow noise standards under the Environment Protection Act 1997.

Internal fireplaces/solid fuel heaters

You won't need DA approval to install a solid fuel heater if the block is in an area other than:

  • Dunlop
  • East O'Malley, or
  • Molonglo Valley (excluding Wright).

Under the lease conditions or Memorandum of Provisions (MOP), solid fuel heaters are not allowed in these areas. To install a solid fuel heater in these areas, you must have written approval from the Territory.

In all other areas, you must make sure any chimneys, flues or vents follow section 1.27 of the Regulation.

Also see: heating, cooling and solar PV installations BA exemptions.