Pergolas and shade sails – approval requirements

The Residential Design Codes (R-Codes) define a pergola as:

‘An open framed structure covered in a water permeable material or unroofed, which may or may not be attached to a dwelling’.

Planning requirements

For the purposes of planning requirements, a pergola includes:

• A louvred roof structure, which is an adjustable ‘pergola’ that may be water permeable
• A shade sail, which is a fabric ‘pergola’ fixed to posts or other structures (excluding a dividing fence).

Generally for single house or grouped dwelling a development (planning) application is not required.

If you are in a Housing Opportunity Area with a dual-density R-Code (e.g. R20/40) and your property is developed at the higher density (e.g. R40), a development (planning) application may be required for building a shade sail or pergola that requires trees to be removed.

For a single house or grouped dwelling, a pergola does not require a development (planning) approval.

All structure to a multiple dwelling, commercial development or caravan park will require a development (planning) application.

Building permit requirements

Pergola

A building permit is not required when the pergola complies with all of the following:

• the structure is no more than 20m²; and
• the structure is no more than 2.4m in height.

Louvred roof

A louvred roof structure will require an application for a building permit.

Shade sail

A building permit is not required when the shade sail complies with all of the following:

• the structure is freestanding.
• the structure is no more than 20m².
• the structure is no more than 2.4m in height.

Construction requirements

• A pergola is permitted to be built to the boundary, and it must not touch or be fixed to the dividing fences or neighbours parapet wall. All footings and construction must be kept within the lot boundaries
• A pergola must be constructed of good quality metal or timber framing which may be free standing or attached to an existing structure. The roof may consist of lattice, timber, shade cloth or other water permeable material
• A pergola may be supported by posts, columns or piers and must not be enclosed by wall sheeting, cladding, panelling or the like. Second-hand materials shall not be used without approval from the City.

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 – Pergolas and Shade Sails (Class 10a) for information required to be provided with the Building Permit Application (BA2 form).