From the start of 2027, new large office buildings, hotels and serviced apartment buildings in the City of Sydney will need to be all-electric, under planning controls the council approved in October 2025.
The change has attracted plenty of attention, and it is easy to assume it affects every commercial project in the city. It doesn’t. Here is what the controls cover, what they leave out, and what that means for fit-outs and refurbishments.
What has happened
On 27 October 2025, the City of Sydney approved an amendment to the Sydney Development Control Plan 2012 for all-electric development. The decision was carried unanimously.
According to the council’s consultation page, the controls require these new buildings to be all-electric and not serviced by fossil fuel gas:
- all new residential accommodation
- new offices of about 1,000 square metres or more
- new hotels with about 100 or more rooms
- new serviced apartment buildings with about 100 or more apartments.
The council’s documents say the controls apply to development applications lodged after 31 December 2026, giving industry time to prepare. A separate control approved earlier already requires electric indoor appliances in new residential development for applications lodged after 31 December 2025, according to the same page.
What is not covered
The council’s post-exhibition report says the provisions only apply to the development of a new building. In particular:
- Existing buildings are not covered. The council decided not to extend the controls to major renovations.
- Alterations and additions are excluded.
- Industrial development is excluded.
- Food and beverage premises in new mixed-use buildings can still have a dedicated gas connection, as long as there is enough space and electrical capacity to electrify later. This must be supported by an estimated maximum demand calculation.
- The controls apply to fossil fuel gas. The report says bottled gas and renewable gas are not restricted.
What it means for fit-outs and refurbishments
For most office, retail and hospitality fit-outs in existing buildings, these controls do not change what is required today. A fit-out or refurbishment in an existing building is not the development of a new building.
The controls matter more in two situations:
- Fit-outs in new buildings lodged after 31 December 2026. If the base building is all-electric, the tenancy will generally need to be designed around electric services. Electrical capacity and switchboard space become early design questions.
- New restaurants and cafés in new mixed-use buildings. Gas may still be possible, but only if the base building has allowed space and electrical capacity for future conversion. Hospitality operators should confirm this with the landlord before committing to a gas kitchen design.
Even where gas is still allowed, some owners and tenants are choosing to plan for electric equipment now, to avoid a second fit-out later. That is a commercial decision for each business, not a requirement of these controls.
What owners and tenants may want to consider
This is general information, not planning or engineering advice. Owners, developers and tenants may find it useful to:
- Check whether a project is a new building or works to an existing building, as the controls only apply to new buildings.
- For new developments, check the lodgement date of the development application against the 31 December 2026 trigger.
- For hospitality tenancies in new mixed-use buildings, ask the landlord early about gas supply, electrical capacity and space for future electrification.
- Get an electrical engineer to check maximum demand before finalising equipment schedules for an electric kitchen or plant upgrade.
- Confirm current requirements with the City of Sydney or your planner, as council controls can be amended.
How Beams & Dreams can help
Beams & Dreams Constructions (NSW Builder Licence 397915C, Registered Building Practitioner BUP4253866) delivers commercial fit-outs, retail and shop fit-outs and commercial construction across Sydney. We work with your designer, electrical engineer and landlord to plan services, electrical capacity and approvals early, so the fit-out suits both current rules and how you want to operate.
Next step
If you are planning an office, retail or hospitality fit-out in the City of Sydney, discuss your fit-out with our team.
Sources
- City of Sydney: Council decision: Post Exhibition – All-Electric Development – Draft Sydney Development Control Plan 2012 (2025-10-27, accessed 2026-10-29)
- City of Sydney: Proposed changes to planning controls for new all-electric homes, offices and hotels (2025-08-12, accessed 2026-10-29)
- City of Sydney (committee report): Post Exhibition – All-Electric Development – Draft Sydney Development Control Plan 2012 (2025-10, accessed 2026-10-29)
This article is general information only. It is not legal, financial, planning, engineering or compliance advice. Rules and timeframes can change. Check the official sources linked above and get advice from a qualified professional about your building or project.
