June 23, 2025
Painting a Sydney heritage home? It's more than just paint. Uncover council rules, lead paint secrets, and breathable finishes in this essential guide.
Living in a Sydney heritage home means understanding that these century-old buildings weren't designed like modern houses. They need to "breathe" through their walls and require special paints and council approval to preserve their authentic character.
Sydney's heritage buildings are primarily made from two materials that give our city's distinctive character: brick and sandstone.
The famous honey-coloured Sydney sandstone comes from the Hawkesbury quarries around Pyrmont. Since 1788, this golden stone has been the backbone of our major public buildings—think Sydney Town Hall (brick core clad in yellow sandstone), St Mary's Cathedral, the University Quadrangle, the Art Gallery, and the QVB. There are over 800 heritage sandstone structures across NSW.
Then there's our iconic brickwork. Many Victorian terraces, warehouses, and Federation-style buildings feature solid brick construction, often with decorative cement details or polychrome brick in Federation styles.
What About Those 1788 Buildings?Here's something that surprises people: while no complete buildings from 1788 still stand above ground, you can actually see the original foundations. The First Government House was a two-storey Georgian building erected using English bricks, locally made bricks, and native stone. Though demolished in the mid-1800s, its stone and brick foundations were unearthed during 1980s digs.
Head to the Museum of Sydney forecourt and you’ll find stone and brick footings beneath the glass panels that are the only tangible remains from 1788 still in place.
The oldest complete surviving public building is the Old Government House at Parramatta from 1799, while the city's early 1800s structures include parts of the Rum Hospital (1816) and Customs House (1800). There's also Cadman's Cottage—the oldest residential building still standing in Sydney.
Heritage homes aren't just museum pieces gathering dust. Real families live in these heritage homes every day: kids running around Victorian terraces, modern kitchens fitted into 1880s sandstone cottages, even luxury Airbnbs in converted fire stations.
Here are some real-life examples:If you happen to live in a heritage building, count yourself lucky.
The Heritage Airbnb BoomHeritage Airbnbs are particularly popular with younger travellers wanting that authentic Sydney experience. We're talking sandstone cottages from the 1860s, restored terraces with exposed beams and original features which make them prime Instagram material.
One standout example: a heritage-listed former fire station in Fairfield went on sale for $4.2-4.4 million and had already been running as a luxury Airbnb. These places often book out year-round.
Heritage Property: Any place recognised for heritage value. The recognition could be through council study, National Trust listing, or formal recognition. Some listings are non-statutory (acknowledgment without legal restrictions).
Heritage-Listed Property: These are officially included in a statutory register (local, state, or national). This is legally binding. You need approval for external changes, but you can still update interiors and make respectful additions.
Heritage properties require special care to retain their authenticity while keeping them protected from the elements.
The Breathing Wall ConceptOld buildings don't have modern moisture barriers. They're designed to "breathe”, meaning moisture can move in and out of the walls naturally. Trap that moisture with the wrong paint (like modern acrylics that seal everything up tight), and you'll get common paint problems like bubbling, cracking, even rising damp.
The solution? Breathable coatings like:
These let moisture vapour pass through while still protecting the surface.
If your heritage home was built before 1970-80, it likely contains lead-based paint. Before you start scraping or sanding, you need to know what you're dealing with.
Testing OptionsThere are different ways to test for lead content in your walls. DIY options exist but it’s best to hire a trusted tradie to make sure the work is done right.
Before taking matters into your own hands, be advised that NSW has specific laws in place when working with lead.
DIY Colour-Change Test Kits (~$20-$50)If you find lead paint that's intact, best to leave it alone and paint over it safely. If it's flaking or you must remove it, use wet-scraping methods, HEPA protection, and proper PPE. Better yet, hire qualified professionals who follow SafeWork NSW guidelines.
If your home is heritage-listed or in a conservation area, you'll need council approval before repainting. For low-impact work, it’s usually a straightforward Heritage Exemption Certificate rather than a full Development Application.
The ProcessOnly start painting after approval. Keep that notice in case you sell. If you skip approval on a listed property, your local council can order repainting or even impose fines.
What About Bold Paint Colours?Conservation guidelines expect heritage paint colours to reflect the building's era: earthy tones, creams, muted greens or blues. Stark modern or fluorescent colours are ruled out. Even if you wanted to try, council approval would be nearly impossible to get.
But here's a compromise: bold colours, such as neon signage for example, on heritage commercial buildings has been allowed in some cases, especially for early-mid 1900s properties. So while you can't paint the whole facade neon, strategic neon accents or signage might work on non-sensitive areas.
Sydney's heritage streets (such as Paddington, Haberfield, Newtown, Enmore) follow coordinated colour schemes to preserve that unified historic look.
Council-Specific Examples:The rules are consistent across councils:
A Note on Change: Some councils like Woollahra are exploring allowing brighter tones (think Notting Hill or San Francisco), but even then, approval is still needed.
Here's an overview of the painting process for heritage homes to give you an idea of the timeline and requirements.
1. Prep ThoroughlyPremium brands make a real difference in application and finish. Look for heritage-approved options from Dulux, Resene, Wattyl, Berger, and Haymes. They all offer heritage colour charts you can cross-reference with your building's era.
3. Follow the RulesWhy can't I use regular paint on my heritage home?
Heritage homes were built to "breathe" naturally through their walls. Modern acrylic paints can trap moisture, causing bubbling, cracking, and even rising damp.
Do I need council approval to repaint my heritage home?
If your home is heritage-listed or in a conservation area, yes - you need council approval before repainting. This usually involves a Heritage Exemption Certificate rather than a full Development Application. Check your status on the NSW Planning Portal.
What colours can I use on my heritage property?
Colours must be period-appropriate for your building's era - think earthy tones, creams, muted blues and greens. Stark modern or fluorescent colours aren't allowed.
How do I know if my home has lead paint?
If your heritage home was built before 1970-80, it likely contains lead paint. You can use DIY test kits from hardware stores (around $20-$50) or hire professionals with XRF meters for accurate testing.
What's the difference between heritage and heritage-listed properties?
A heritage property is any place recognised for heritage value (which may have no legal restrictions), while a heritage-listed property is officially included in a statutory register with legal requirements.
Can I paint a heritage home myself or do I need professionals?
While you can paint heritage homes yourself, you'll need to follow specific requirements: get council approval first, test for lead paint, use breathable coatings, choose period-appropriate colours, and keep detailed records. If lead paint removal is involved, it's safer to hire qualified professionals who follow SafeWork NSW guidelines.
Whether you're living in a Victorian terrace or running a heritage Airbnb, understanding preservation requirements helps you maintain your piece of Sydney's living history.
Ready to paint your heritage home the right way? We're here to connect you with the right tradie for the job.
Here's what SnapTradie can do for you:Don't risk council fines or damage to your heritage property. Professional heritage painting expertise is just a few clicks away.
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