Council clarifies Bed and Breakfast requirements
Wingecarribee Shire Council has today clarified its position in relation to Bed and Breakfast establishments.
A Bed and Breakfast establishment is a form of tourist and visitor accommodation which is provided in a dwelling house. It is generally the case that, where there is an existing dwelling house, Bed and Breakfast accommodation can be provided.
If the land is not bushfire prone, then Bed and Breakfast accommodation can be a complying development.
This means that, provided it satisfies pre-determined conditions, either Council or a Private Certifier can issue a Complying Development Certificate and there is no need for a formal development consent.
These pre-determined conditions are set out in a State wide Planning Policy which applies to the whole of NSW, and not just to the Wingecarribee Shire.
Bed and Breakfast establishments are for short term accommodation provided by the permanent residents of the dwelling house, where there are no separate cooking facilities, and meals are provided for guests only.
There is also a maximum limit of three bedrooms in which this accommodation may be provided.
If Bed and Breakfast is to be complying development, it must satisfy these requirements, as well as the pre-determined requirements such as for a guest bathroom, off street parking and fire protection.
Similarly, if a Bed and Breakfast doesn’t comply with these requirements, or it is to be located on bushfire prone land, then a formal development consent is necessary and a development application will need to be lodged with Council.
“Bed and Breakfasts are a legitimate form of short-term tourist accommodation which Council wholly supports,” said Council’s Environmental Assessment Manager, Les Pawlak.
“There seems to be a bit of confusion in the community about the requirements of a Bed and Breakfast and this was further highlighted at last week’s Council meeting.
“Should any resident be interested in establishing a Bed and Breakfast, or require any further information, we encourage them to contact Council,” he said.
For further information contact Council’s Environmental Assessment Branch on phone 4868 0888.