Yes, many Richmond properties can accommodate a granny flat, particularly established homes on the suburb’s larger residential blocks. Under the NSW Housing SEPP, a secondary dwelling may qualify for Complying Development on a lot of at least 450m², provided the site and design meet the required standards, with the granny flat generally limited to 60m². Richmond has a mix of residential zoning, so eligibility should be checked for each property. This is especially important in Richmond because Hawkesbury-Nepean flood controls and heritage-listed properties or conservation controls can affect where and how a granny flat is approved. A site-specific planning check should therefore come before choosing the final design.
Get inspiration from our recent granny flat projects across Richmond and surrounds — and see how we’ve turned different properties into practical new spaces.
Richmond has a combination of major local employers, education facilities and established residential properties that makes additional accommodation particularly useful. RAAF Base Richmond and Western Sydney University’s Hawkesbury Campus bring Defence personnel, university staff and students into the area, while Richmond’s broader rental market currently records a median house rent of around $680 per week. For homeowners, a granny flat can provide a separate home for ageing parents or adult children, or create an additional rental option without giving up the main property. On Richmond’s larger established blocks, it can be a practical way to make better use of existing land while adding flexibility for changing family and financial needs.
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The three things that shape a granny flat build in Richmond: the planning rules, the ground you’re building on, and what the market gives back.
Median house price in Richmond
Typical granny flat rent
Key local landmark
your block
nearest station
A granny flat in Richmond can be approved through a private certifier as complying development when the lot is 450m2 or larger, the secondary dwelling is no more than 60m2 (or 25% of the main house, whichever is less), and setbacks, height and landscaping meet Housing SEPP 2021 standards. This pathway typically takes 10 to 15 business days once documentation is complete. Because parts of Richmond sit in a heritage conservation area, some otherwise eligible blocks will need a DA instead, which we confirm at the property check stage. Blocks inside a flood planning area can still qualify, but floor levels and fill must meet the council's flood controls, which we check against the flood certificate before design.
Not meeting one complying development requirement does not rule a project out. Where a block in Richmond is under 450m2, sits in a heritage conservation area, or is affected by a flood planning control, a development application can be lodged with Hawkesbury City Council. Assessment times are longer than a CDC, but the council does approve secondary dwellings through this route.
Richmond is administered by Hawkesbury City Council and assessed under the Hawkesbury LEP 2012. The whole suburb falls within the one council area. Granny Flats X confirms the consent authority for your specific block during the initial property assessment.
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The things Richmond homeowners ask us most. Can’t find yours? Call us — we’ll give you a straight answer.
Usually 12-14 weeks from approval. We fast-track the council paperwork.
Yes. Most Richmond blocks support 60m² 2-bedroom layouts.
Yes, but we handle the entire approval process for you.
