Our LEP and DCPs

Local Environmental Plan

The Clarence Valley Local Environmental Plan (LEP) 2011 is the primary planning tool for the Clarence Valley and is based on the requirements of the Standard Instrument - Principal Local Environmental Plan (2006 EPI 155a). The LEP 2011 includes a number of mapping layers which need to be read in conjunction with the written instrument.

It contains land-use zones, development standards such as height and minimum lots sizes, and other matters to consider when assessing development.

Development control plans

Our development control plans (DCPs) provide detailed planning and design guidelines to support the planning controls in the LEP.

Amendments to DCP Flood Planning Levels for Glenreagh will come into effect on 1 July 2026. Development Applications lodged on the NSW Planning Portal after this date will be assessed against these controls. Development Applications lodged prior to 1 July 2026 will be assessed against the current controls.

The following DCPs apply in the Clarence Valley Council Local Government Area:

Business zones

The Clarence Valley Council DCP - Development in Business Zones aims to promote quality development in commercial areas and provide opportunities for development that improve the streetscape and respect the character of a locality. This DCP applies to land within the following business zones:

E1 Local Centre
E2 Commercial Centre
E3 Productivity Support

Download the Business zones DCP(PDF, 3MB)

Download the Business Zones DCP – commencing 1 July 2026(PDF, 3MB)

Industrial zones

The Clarence Valley Council DCP - Development in Industrial Zones aims to encourage development in industrial zones that is functional, has street appeal and has minimal impact on surrounding non-industrial uses and the environment. This DCP applies to all land in the following industrial zones in the Clarence Valley LGA:

E4 General Industry
W4 Working Waterfront

Download the Industrial zones DCP(PDF, 2MB)

Download the Industrial Zones DCP – commencing 1 July 2026(PDF, 2MB)

Residential zones

The Clarence Valley Council DCP - Development in Residential Zones aims to encourage well designed, high quality development within residential zones in the Clarence Valley. This DCP applies to land within the following residential zones:

R1 General Residential
R2 Low Density Residential
R3 Medium Density Residential
R5 Large Lot Residential

Download the Residential zones DCP(PDF, 10MB)

Download the Residential Zones DCP – commencing 1 July 2026(PDF, 10MB)

Rural zones

The Clarence Valley Council DCP - Development in Rural Zones aims to encourage development of land in rural zones that complements the rural character of a locality and is at an appropriate scale and form to minimise land use conflicts.This DCP applies to land within the following rural zones:

RU1 Primary Production
RU2 Rural Landscape
RU3 Forestry

Download the Rural zones DCP(PDF, 4MB)

Download the Rural Zones DCP – commencing 1 July 2026(PDF, 3MB)

Environmental protection, recreation and special use zones

The Clarence Valley Council DCP - Development in Environmental Protection, Recreation and Special Use Zones aims to encourage development that complements the character of a locality and that is at an appropriate scale and form to minimise impacts on the environment and to minimise land use conflicts.

This DCP applies to land within the following zones:

C1 National Parks and Native Reserves
C2 Environmental Conservation
C3 Environmental Management
RE1 Public Recreation
RE2 Private Recreation
SP1 Special Activities
SP2 Infrastructure
SP3 Tourist
W1 Natural Waterways
W2 Recreational Waterways
W3 Working Waterways

Download the Environmental protection, recreation and special use zones DCP(PDF, 5MB)

Download the Environmental protection, recreation and special use zones DCP – commencing 1 July 2026(PDF, 5MB)

Sustainable Water Requirements

Changes made to the Sustainable Water Controls sections of the DCPs and the Information for Applicants document are to align with the Northern Rivers Local Government Development Design and Construction Manual minimum water quality standards.

Download the Sustainable Water Requirements(PDF, 2MB)

DCP Appendices - Flood Planning Area Maps

The DCP Appendices commence with the updated Development Control Plans on 1 January 2025.

DCP Appendix 1 - Lower Clarence Flood Planning Area Map 1A(PDF, 617KB)

DCP Appendix 2 - Lower Clarence Flood Planning Area Map 1B(PDF, 620KB)

DCP Appendix 3 - Lower Clarence Flood Planning Area Map 1C(PDF, 590KB)

DCP Appendix 4 - Glenreagh Flood Planning Area Map(PDF, 5MB)

DCP Appendix 5 - Wooli Flood Planning Area Map(PDF, 684KB)

The below DCP Appendix 4 – Glenreagh Flood Planning Area Map will commence on 1 July 2026.

DCP Appendix 4 – Glenreagh Flood Planning Area Map commencing 1 July 2026(PDF, 1MB)

Schedule X2 Clarenza URA - Supporting Documentation

All development applications within the Clarenza URA must demonstrate consistency with the provisions of Schedule X2 of the Residential Zones DCP and the following Structure Plan and Technical Studies.