Outbuilding (shed) – approval requirements
The Residential Design Codes (R-Codes) define an outbuilding as: ‘An enclosed non-habitable structure that is detached from any dwelling.’
This definition includes sheds and garages that are not attached to the main dwelling.
An outbuilding may require a development (planning) approval and a building permit prior to being constructed.
Planning requirements
Outbuildings on a residential property will require a 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) approval is not required for your outbuilding if it complies with the following:
- For small outbuildings (less than 10m²):
- Has no more than two boundary walls (a ‘boundary wall’ is where the wall is setback closer than 600mm from a boundary).
- Is not located within the street setback required for your R-Code density (see table below).
- The wall and roof ridge height does not exceed 2.7m from natural ground level.
- Does not reduce open space and outdoor living area requirements for your R-Code density (see table below).
- For large outbuildings (greater than 10m²) or multiple outbuildings (two or more outbuildings wher the combined size is greater than 10m²):
- The area of all outbuildings does not exceed 60m² or 10% in aggregate of the site area, whichever is the lesser.
- Setback from a side and/or rear property boundary a minimum of 1m where the length is no more than 14m, otherwise 1.5m . A boundary wall (where the wall is setback closer than 600mm from a boundary) may be considered where it meets the requirements of the R-Codes, RDLPP or HOALPP (as applicable).
- Does not exceed a wall height of 2.4m and a roof ridge height or 4.2m from natural ground level.
- Is not located within the street setback required for your R-Code density (see table below).
- Does not reduce open space and outdoor living area requirements for your R-Code density (see table below).
- All other requirements of the R-Codes, RDLPP and/or HOALPP are met (as applicable).
Additional requirements may apply if:
- The outbuilding is visible from the street. In these instances, the outbuilding is required to be a consistent style with the existing house, and compatible with the area.
- For higher dual-density properties, the outbuilding is reducing the landscaping area for the property to less than 20% of the site area or removing trees.
- The property is within a structure plan area.
All outbuildings to multiple dwellings, commercial developments or caravan parks will require a development (planning) application.
| R-Code Density | Minimum Outdoor Living Area | Minimum Open Space | Minimum street setback |
| R20 | 30m² | 50% | Street the house faces: 6m
Other streets (corner property): 1.5m |
| R20/25* | 30m² | 50% | Street the house faces: 4m
Other streets (corner property): 2m |
| R20/30* | 24m² | 45% | Street the house faces: 4m
Other streets (corner property): 2m |
| R20/40* | 20m² | 45% | Street the house faces: 4m
Other streets (corner property): 2m |
| R20/60* | 16m² | 40% | Street the house faces: 2m
Other streets (corner property): 2m |
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*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 requirements. |
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Building Permit requirements
A building permit is required when the outbuilding is built from masonry.
A building permit is not required when the outbuilding complies with all of the following:
- The structure is freestanding.
- The structure is no more than 10m².
- The structure is no more than 2.4m in height.
- The structure is installed as per the manufacturer recommendations.
Building permit application forms (certified or uncertified) are available from the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety website. 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).