ZoneScout

Where can you build Cemeteries in NSW?

“Cemeteries” is a defined term in the NSW planning system, and every council’s Local Environmental Plan decides which zones allow it. Across 147 council LEPs it is permitted in 23 zones and prohibited in 31.

Zone by zone, across 147 NSW councils

Each row counts councils, not properties. “Without consent” means no application is needed; “with consent” means a development application. “Can’t say” is not a ban — those councils have not addressed this use in that zone at all.

ZoneWithout consentWith consentProhibitedCan’t sayCouncils with this zone
RU1 Primary Production—8423—107
RU5 Village—7228—100
R5 Large Lot Residential—3472—106
RU2 Rural Landscape—3118—49
R1 General Residential—2275—97
RU4 Primary Production Small Lots—2232—54
E4 General Industrial—13111—124
MU1 Mixed Use—1374—87
RE1 Public Recreation—13121—134
R2 Low Density Residential—1077—87
C3 Environmental Management—976—85
RE2 Private Recreation—6119—125
E1 Local Centre—51151121
RU6 Transition—59—14
R3 Medium Density Residential—470—74
C4 Environmental Living—358—61
E2 Commercial Centre—263—65
E3 Productivity Support—293—95
E5 Heavy Industrial—224—26
RU3 Forestry—180—81
SP1 Special Activities—177—78
SP3 Tourist—149—50
SP5 Metropolitan Centre—1——1
C1 National Parks and Nature Reserves——123—123
C2 Environmental Conservation——91—91
R4 High Density Residential——30—30
SP2 Infrastructure——1341135
SP4 Enterprise——14—14
W1 Natural Waterways——63—63
W2 Recreational Waterways——59—59
W3 Working Waterways——10—10
W4 Working Waterfront——23—23

How those answers were reached. 1,446 of the “prohibited” answers and 181 of the “with consent” answers come from the zone’s catch-all row — the scheme does not name this use in that zone, but it says what happens to everything it has not named. That is a real answer, not a guess, and it is the reason a count of explicit listings would tell you the opposite in some zones.

What this page cannot tell you

Which zone your land is in, and whether your project is characterised as a cemeteries in the first place. The first is a question about an address; the second is a planning judgement. Check an address for the zone and the overlays on it.

Frequently asked questions

Are cemeteries allowed in every council in New South Wales?

No. Each council’s Local Environmental Plan has its own land use table, and they differ. This page counts, zone by zone, how many of the 147 NSW council LEPs permit it, prohibit it, or say nothing either way.

My zone shows a number under “Can’t say” — what does that mean?

It means those councils neither name this use in that zone nor have a catch-all row covering everything they have not named. It is not a ban and it is not permission. Only an explicit listing in the prohibited rung, or a catch-all that prohibits, is a prohibition.

Does this tell me whether my project counts as cemeteries?

No, and that is deliberate. Deciding which defined term your project is called is a planning judgement, not something this page can do for you. Search your address for the zone, then talk to a planner about how the project is characterised.

Sources

Last reviewed: the published LEPs. Rules can change — verify with your council before starting work.

General guidance only — not professional planning advice. Land use tables change as councils amend their LEPs; always confirm against the current instrument for your land.

Talk to a town planner in New South Wales

This page covers the general rules. A qualified town planner can tell you what applies to your actual block — the zone, the overlays and the approval path — before you spend money on drawings.

  • Qualified, practising town planners
  • Advice on your property, not a generic rule
  • No cost, no obligation

Free planning consultation

A qualified town planner will be in touch within 1 business day.

By submitting you agree to be contacted about your enquiry. We never sell your data. See our Privacy Policy.