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).

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.