LEP's apply either to the whole, or part of, a local government area. LEP's divide the area they cover into "zones", such as rural, residential, industrial, recreational, open space, environment protection and business zones.

For each zone, the LEP gives a list of "objectives" that indicate the principal intended use for that zone.  Each zone also lists the types of development within that zone that are:

• Permissible without development consent
• Permissible with development consent, and
• Prohibited

To work out whether a particular development is permitted within a particular area, you should contact Council to find out how the area is zoned under the LEP. You can either view the LEP on the council's website (see links below), or look at it over the counter at Council's Administrative Building.

Council maintains a register of its planning documents, including local environmental plans and draft local environmental plans.

The following planning documents can be searched in the register:

• LEP: The Shoalhaven Local Plan 1985 and the various amendments to it
• DLEP: Draft Local Environmental Plans

Click on the link to see the list of documents of that type. In the registers some items can be selected from the list to view further information.