Local Environmental Plan (LEP)

The Local Environmental Plan (LEP) is the main legal document that controls how land in Lane Cove can be used and developed. It sets the zoning for every property, the maximum building height and the amount of floor space allowed. It also lists the heritage items and environmental areas that need protection. It sets what can be built and where, how tall buildings can be, and which places are protected for their heritage or environmental value.

Council adopted its current LEP in 2010, with a minor update in 2017. Council is now consulting the community on further amendments, including reflecting Council's sustainability goals outlined in the Sustainability Action Plan (adopted in 2026).

The amendments will involve:

• Updating the Aims of the LEP to better align with Council’s sustainability goals;
• Including new clauses on –
  • urban heat,
  • stormwater management and water sensitive urban design
  • waste management, and
  • design excellence (applying to entire Lane Cove area);

• Updating the following clauses to correct minor errors –
  • Clause 4.1 (minimum lot size),
  • Clause 6.3 (Riparian Land),
  • Clause 6.4 (Environmental Protection land), and
  • Clause 7.6 (Design Excellence for St Leonards South);
• Introducing a site-specific clause for 2 Henley Street to permit subdivision;
• Updating, amending and removing various heritage items;
• Rezoning Council owned properties on Epping Road, Gay Street, Stevenson Street, McMahons Road, River Road, and Centennial Avenue to C2 Environmental Conservation; and
• Updating all Lot Size Maps to permit all R2 Low Density Residential zoned lots with a 550 m² minimum lot size.

To provide your comments, please submit them to the General Manager quoting the reference ‘LEP Review – SU11420’ by:

• Post: PO Box 20, Lane Cove NSW 1595, or
• Email: service@lanecove.nsw.gov.au.

Submissions close on Monday 16 November 2026 at 5pm.