A kitchen renovation inside an existing Hills District house usually doesn't need a development application from The Hills Shire Council, as long as the structure and outside stay the same. Licensed trades must still do the plumbing, gas and electrical work, and kitchen work over $5,000 needs a licensed contractor.
What are Hills District kitchens like?
The typical 1980s and 90s home in Castle Hill, Baulkham Hills, West Pennant Hills and Cherrybrook has a formal lounge and dining room at the front, a family room at the back and a U-shaped kitchen in between, often with laminate benchtops and a wall that blocks the view of the yard. The common request is to remove that wall and turn the formal dining room into part of a bigger kitchen and family space.
Homes built from the 2000s in Kellyville, Rouse Hill and Beaumont Hills are usually open-plan already. Here the request is more about a bigger island, a butler's pantry, better storage and a stronger link to the alfresco. On acreage in Dural, Kenthurst and Glenorie, kitchens are larger and services can be different.
| Home type | Where you often find it | Usual scope |
|---|---|---|
| 1980s–90s brick-veneer house | Castle Hill, Baulkham Hills, West Pennant Hills, Cherrybrook | Remove walls to join kitchen, dining and family rooms; new cabinetry and benchtops |
| 2000s–2010s project home | Kellyville, Rouse Hill, Beaumont Hills | Larger island, butler’s pantry, better link to the alfresco |
| Acreage or semi-rural home | Dural, Kenthurst, Glenorie, Annangrove | Bigger kitchen and scullery; check gas supply, water and sewage system |
A general guide only. Your home may differ.
Which council and approvals apply?
The Hills Shire Council covers most of the region. Hornsby Shire Council covers Cherrybrook and part of Dural and Castle Hill, Blacktown City Council covers part of Rouse Hill, and the City of Parramatta covers North Rocks and part of Carlingford. For a kitchen renovation inside an existing house, none of them needs a development application if the structure and exterior stay the same.
Approval comes in when the kitchen work includes new external doors or windows, a roofed alfresco extension or a granny flat. Some patios and pergolas can be exempt or complying development if they meet size and setback standards, while bush fire prone land on the Dural, Glenhaven and Kenthurst edges adds requirements.
Planning a second kitchen for extended family? A second kitchen with its own bathroom and entry can look like a separate dwelling. Talk to the council or a certifier before you build, because a secondary dwelling needs its own approval.
What should a Hills kitchen plan allow for?
- Is the wall load-bearing? Many 1980s and 90s project homes have trussed roofs, so internal walls often don't carry the roof. Some do support girder trusses or an upper floor, though, so get a builder or engineer to confirm before demolition.
- Gas or induction. Most established Hills suburbs have mains gas, but acreage homes often run on bottled gas. Switching to induction may need a switchboard upgrade.
- Outdoor kitchens. A sink and gas barbecue on the alfresco need a licensed plumber and gasfitter, a drain and weather-rated cabinetry.
- Onsite sewage. Some rural lots in Dural, Kenthurst and Glenorie aren't on the sewer. Check with your system's servicing agent before adding a waste disposal unit.
- Benchtops. Engineered stone has been banned since 1 July 2024, so ask about natural stone, porcelain or laminate.
What should you tell the crew?
Say roughly when the house was built and which walls you want removed. Explain how you use the kitchen, list the appliances you've chosen, and mention whether you want a butler's pantry or an outdoor kitchen. On acreage, note the gas, water and sewage set-up. Parking is usually easy, but mention a steep or shared driveway.
We don't publish Hills prices, because scope drives cost. Our Sydney kitchen renovation cost guide explains the cost drivers, our kitchen ideas on a budget guide helps you prioritise, and the kitchen renovations page covers licences and contracts. See also trades in the Hills District. When you're ready, describe the job to MyTradeCrew and we'll send it to up to three vetted local trades from our crew, who quote you directly.
Common questions
Do I need council approval for a kitchen renovation in the Hills District?
Not for a renovation inside an existing house that leaves the structure and exterior alone. Removing an internal wall isn't a planning matter, but it does need a builder or engineer to confirm the structure. New external doors, a roofed alfresco or a granny flat can need approval. The Hills Shire Council, or Hornsby, Blacktown or Parramatta if you're on the edges, can confirm.
Can I knock out the wall between the kitchen and dining room in my 1990s home?
Often, yes. In many trussed-roof homes the internal walls aren't load-bearing, but some carry girder trusses, upper floors or point loads. A builder or structural engineer should check before anything is removed. Also expect electrical, gas or plumbing in the wall to be moved, and flooring to be patched or replaced where the wall stood.
Can I add an outdoor kitchen to my alfresco?
Usually, if the alfresco is already approved and covered. The sink needs a drain, the barbecue needs a licensed gasfitter, and cabinetry must suit the weather. Building a new roof over the area may be exempt or complying development if it meets the standards, or may need a development application. Check bushfire mapping if you're near bushland.
What if my property isn't on the sewer?
Some rural-zoned lots in Dural, Kenthurst and Glenorie use an onsite sewage management system, which the council regulates. A kitchen renovation is usually fine, but extra fixtures, a second kitchen or a waste disposal unit can affect how the system copes. Check with your servicing agent or the council before you add load.
More on kitchen renovations
Scope checklists, price drivers and quote comparisons are on the main Kitchen renovations in Sydney page. For costs, read Kitchen Renovation Cost Sydney: 2026 Price Guide.