Carport – approval requirements
The Residential Design Codes (R-Codes) define a carport as:
“A roofed structure designed to accommodate one or more motor vehicles, unenclosed except to the extent that it abuts a dwelling or a property boundary on one side, and being without a door unless that door is visually permeable (see through).”
A carport may require a development approval and will require a building permit prior to being constructed.
Planning requirements
On a residential lot, carports will require development (planning) application where it does not meet the requirements of the R-Codes, the City’s Residential Development Local Planning Policy (RDLPP), Development in Housing Opportunity Areas Local Planning Policy (HOALPP), or structure plan (if applicable).
Generally, for a single house or grouped dwelling a development (planning) application is not required for your carport if it complies with the following:
- Setback the minimum distance from the street boundary for your R-Code density (see table below).
- Setback the minimum distance from the side boundary for your R-Code density (see table below).
- The design allows unobstructed views between the dwelling and the street.
- Where new hardstand areas (e.g. driveway) are being built, 50% of the street setback area is landscaped.
Additional requirements may apply if:
- For higher dual-density properties, the carport is being built over landscaping or removing trees.
- The property is within a structure plan area.
- A new driveway and/or crossover is being constructed, or an existing one modified. In addition to planning requirements, crossovers are required to be constructed in accordance with the City’s Crossover Guidelines.
| R-Code Density | Minimum Open Space | Minimum Carport Street Setback | Minimum Side or Rear Setback** | Maximum Driveway Width (at the street boundary) |
| R20 | 50% | Street the house faces: 3m with all buildings having an average street setback of 6m
Other streets (corner property): 1.5m The carport is required to match the dwelling in respect to materials, roof design, roof pitch and colour and no wider than 60% of the property frontage |
Length 10-14m: 1m
Length more than 14m: 1.5m The total length includes the length of the carport and any attached structures. |
6m
or Where two driveways are proposed, a total width of 9m |
| R20/25* | 50% | 5.5m | 1m | 4.5m |
| R20/30* | 45% | |||
| R20/40* | 45% | |||
| R20/60* | 40% | |||
| *For properties with a dual-density code (e.g. R20/40) the requirements only apply if the property is developed at the higher density (e.g. R40). If your property has not been built to the higher density, refer to R20 requiremenst.
**A boundary wall (where the wall is setback closer than 600mm to a side or rear boundary) may be permitted where it is behind the street setback and meets the length and height requirements of the R-Codes, RDLPP or HOALPP (as applicable). |
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Carports to multiple dwellings and commercial buildings will require development (planning) approval.
Fees are in accordance with the Planning Services Fees and Charges.
Building permit requirements
A building permit application will be required for a carport.
Building permit application forms (certified or uncertified) are available from the Building Commission.
Certified building permit applications must be accompanied with a Certificate of Design Compliance.
Please refer to the City’s Uncertified Building Application Checklist – Outbuilding (Class 10a) for information required to be provided with the Building Permit Application (BA2 form).
Fees are in accordance with the Building Services Fees and Charges.