Rural Functions & Weddings

Planning controls for rural functions and weddings came into effect on 7 August 2020. 

The controls provide certainty for the events industry while protecting the rural amenity of neighbourhoods.

Development application process

A development application will need to be submitted to permit a function centre on land regularly used for functions within the RU2 Rural Landscape Zone.

Development cannot be for the purpose of a:

• convention centre
• exhibition centre
• music festival.

Approvals are not required for ‘one-off’ private events. 

Consent may be granted subject to a number of provisions and considerations including:

• No more than 20 events can be held at the function centre in any 12 month period.
• No more than 150 guests are permitted to attend any event.
• No more than 1 event can be held at the function centre on any one weekend.
• Events will not result in disturbance of neighbours or negative impacts on the rural amenity.
• Consent can only be given for a maximum of 3 years (after which a new application will be required).

Find out more about the planning controls

• Byron Local Environmental Plan 2014 (Clause 6.11) describes the regulatory controls for the temporary use of land as a function centre.
• Byron Development Control Plan 2014 Chapter D9: Rural Function Centres outlines additional development provisions that will ensure events at approved function centres do not result in disturbance to neighbours and/ or rural amenity.