ZoneScout

C1 National Parks and Nature Reserves zone in NSW

C1 is a zone in the NSW Standard Instrument, and 123 of the 147 council Local Environmental Plans (LEPs) use it. This page shows what the zone is for and what those councils allow in it, counted from each council’s own land use table.

Used by
123 of the 147 council LEPs
Uses the table doesn’t name
prohibited in 123 of the 123
Tables as at
19 August 2026

What the zone is for

Every council that uses C1 includes these objectives, word for word. They come from the Standard Instrument, the template all NSW council plans are built on:

  • To enable the management and appropriate use of land that is reserved under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 or that is acquired under Part 11 of that Act.
  • To enable uses authorised under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 .
  • To identify land that is to be reserved under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 and to protect the environmental significance of that land.

3 of the 123 LEPs add objectives of their own, so the full list for a property depends on its council.

Uses the table doesn’t name

Every council’s table ends with a rule for anything it hasn’t listed. 123 of the 123 LEPs prohibit any use their C1 table doesn’t name.

That is why a use can be counted as prohibited above in more councils than actually name it.

What the zone doesn’t tell you

  • Lot size, height and floor space are set on the LEP maps for each property, so they vary within the same zone.
  • Heritage, flood and bushfire mapping can limit what is possible on a lot even where the zone allows it.
  • State policies can apply as well as the council’s table. Granny flats are dealt with under the Housing SEPP, and small works such as sheds can be exempt development under the Codes SEPP. See the NSW granny flat rules and NSW shed rules.

An address search shows all of this for one property.

Council LEPs that use C1 (123)

Some councils have more than one LEP, each covering part of the area.

Land zoned under a State Environmental Planning Policy rather than a council LEP, such as some growth precincts, isn’t included in these counts.

Frequently asked questions

What is C1 National Parks and Nature Reserves zoning in NSW?

C1 National Parks and Nature Reserves is one of the zones in the NSW Standard Instrument, used by 123 of the 147 council Local Environmental Plans. Its first standard objective is: “To enable the management and appropriate use of land that is reserved under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 or that is acquired under Part 11 of that Act.”

What happens to uses the C1 table doesn’t list?

123 of the 123 LEPs prohibit any use their C1 table doesn’t name. That catch-all rule is part of each council’s table, so a use can be prohibited in C1 without being named.

How do I check if my property is zoned C1?

Search the address on ZoneScout. It reads the zone from NSW Government planning data and shows that council’s own land use table, along with the lot size and any heritage, flood or bushfire mapping.

Sources

Land use tables as at 19 August 2026. Councils amend their LEPs, so confirm against the current plan for your land.

General information only, not planning advice. Whether a project counts as a particular defined use is a planning judgement for your council or a planner.

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 block, including the zone, overlays and approval path, before you spend money on drawings.

  • Qualified, practising town planners
  • Advice specific to your property
  • Free, with no obligation

Free planning consultation

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

Your details and property information go to an independent town planner we work with, who will contact you about this enquiry. See our Privacy Policy.