New South Wales Shed Council Approval Information
Whatever building you are choosing to add to your property in New South Wales, it's recommended you do some research to understand your state and councils guidelines (no matter how small the shed is).
The GOOD NEWS is that not every size shed requires approval or a building licence.
On this page you will find a summary of what you need to know about Council Approval rules and building permits.
If it all gets too much for you, you can also work with the experts in the area at Fast Track Council Approval, their website is super interactive and easy to follow.
THE NUMBER #1 THING TO UNDERSTAND
Every council's rules and regulation are different, so there is no one rule fits all in NSW. It is best to always contact your local council directly and ask them what their regulations are regarding sheds, workshops and garages.
If you build a shed, garage, carport etc without approval and you go to sell the property, you can get into trouble. If the council finds your building was added without council approval (and it would have been required) you could face major fines and be forced to remove the building.
IMPORTANT: It's not hard work, or going to cost you anything to check. Even after reading this page, we suggest you give your local council a call to be safe.
SIZE REGULATIONS IN NSW
Many types of minor projects such as a workshop, carport or garden shed are likely not to require council approval as they fall under the “exempt developments" section in the law.
They do need to meet specific requirements to be exempt such as:
- There are no more than 2 structures per property.
- In residential zones it can be no larger than 20sqm.
- If its in rural zones RU1, RU2, RU3, RU4 and R5 it can be no larger than 50sqm.
- It is no higher than 3m above the ground level.
- It is set back a minimum of 900mm from each boundary.
- It cannot interfere with the entry to, or exit from, or the fire safety measures within another building.
- It cannot be a shipping container.
- If your property is bushfire prone land it must be constructed of non-combustible materials.
There may be other rules listed for your specific council so the above should be used as a guideline of what you can and can't buy, but we highly recommend you call to check once you have determined the product you are after. That way you can tell them your exact size building and intentions for advice.
DO I NEED A BUILDING LICENCE?
If your building project doesn’t fall under “exempt developments”, you will need to lodge a development application (DA) or a complying development certificate (CDC).
A DA or is a formal request to build your shed or building and it allows the council to determine whether your project will meet local and state building requirements. They take everying thing account such as the environmental impact, your neighbours or other nearby properties.
It may seem a hassle but its standard protocol and the more straight forward you request the better chance it will be approved fast.
For sheds or buildings larger than 6 meters or farm sheds you may require a licence or to hire a building company to construct it. The council will be able to advise you, whether or not your project falls into this category.
TALK TO ALL PARTIES INVOLVED
It may be old fashioned but a little neighbourly etiquette can save you time, money and headache.
If you think your building may in any form impact your neighbour's view, light, space etc, have a chat to your them first to let them know what you are planning.
Making sure you keep the peace with your neighbour means a peaceful project and less hassle with getting approval if no one is objecting.
WHAT PAPERS DO I SUBMIT
If you do need council approval you will need to check again with your council what it is you will need but here are some items to expect:
- Detailed site plan
- Engineer Papers (which we will provide with your shed/workshop/garage)
- Building Licence for very big buildings for example most of our custom sheds which are more than 6 x 12 meters.
COUNCIL CONTACTS
| COUNCIL | WEBSITE |
|---|---|
| Albury City Council | alburycity.nsw.gov.au |
| Armidale Dumaresq Council | armidale.nsw.gov.au |
| Ashfield Council | ashfield.nsw.gov.au |
| Auburn City Council | auburn.nsw.gov.au |
| Ballina Shire Council | ballina.nsw.gov.au |
| Balranald Shire Council | balranald.nsw.gov.au |
| Bankstown City Council | bankstown.nsw.gov.au |
| Bathurst Regional Council | bathurst.nsw.gov.au |
| Bega Valley Shire Council | begavalley.nsw.gov.au |
| Bellingen Shire Council | bellingen.nsw.gov.au |
| Berrigan Shire Council | berriganshire.nsw.gov.au |
| Blacktown City Council | blacktown.nsw.gov.au |
| Bland Shire Council | blandshire.nsw.gov.au |
| Blayney Shire Council | blayney.nsw.gov.au |
| Blue Mountains City Council | bmcc.nsw.gov.au |
| Bogan Shire Council | bogan.nsw.gov.au |
| Bombala Council | bombala.nsw.gov.au |
| Botany Bay City Council | botanybay.nsw.gov.au |
| Bourke Shire Council | bourke.nsw.gov.au |
| Brewarrina Shire Council | brewarrina.nsw.gov.au |
| Broken Hill City Council | brokenhill.nsw.gov.au |
| Burwood Council | burwood.nsw.gov.au |
| Byron Shire Council | byron.nsw.gov.au |
| Cabonne Council | cabonne.nsw.gov.au |
| Camden Council | camden.nsw.gov.au |
| Campbelltown City Council | campbelltown.nsw.gov.au |
| Carrathool Shire Council | carrathool.nsw.gov.au |
| Central Darling Shire Council | centraldarling.nsw.gov.au |
| Cessnock City Council | cessnock.nsw.gov.au |
| City of Canada Bay Council | canadabay.nsw.gov.au |
| City of Ryde Council | ryde.nsw.gov.au |
| City of Sydney Council | cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au |
| Clarence Valley Council | clarence.nsw.gov.au |
| Cobar Shire Council | cobar.nsw.gov.au |
| Coffs Harbour City Council | coffsharbour.nsw.gov.au |
| Conargo Shire Council | conargo.nsw.gov.au |
| Coolamon Shire Council | coolamon.nsw.gov.au |
| Cooma-Monaro Shire Council | cooma.nsw.gov.au |
| Coonamble Shire Council | coonambleshire.nsw.gov.au |
| Cootamundra Shire Council | cootamundra.nsw.gov.au |
| Corowa Shire Council | corowa.nsw.gov.au |
| Cowra Council | cowracouncil.com.au |
| Deniliquin Council | deniliquin.nsw.gov.au |
| Dubbo City Council | dubbo.nsw.gov.au |
| Dungog Shire Council | dungog.nsw.gov.au |
| Eurobodalla Shire Council | esc.nsw.gov.au |
| Fairfield City Council | fairfieldcity.nsw.gov.au |
| Forbes Shire Council | forbes.nsw.gov.au |
| Gilgandra Shire Council | gilgandra.nsw.gov.au |
| Glen Innes Severn Council | gisc.nsw.gov.au |
| Gloucester Shire Council | gloucester.nsw.gov.au |
| Gosford City Council | gosford.nsw.gov.au |
| Goulburn Mulwaree Council | goulburn.nsw.gov.au |
| Great Lakes Council | greatlakes.nsw.gov.au |
| Greater Hume Shire Council | greaterhume.nsw.gov.au |
| Greater Taree City Council | gtcc.nsw.gov.au |
| Griffith City Council | griffith.nsw.gov.au |
| Gundagai Shire Council | gundagai.nsw.gov.au |
| Gunnedah Shire Council | gunnedah.nsw.gov.au |
| Guyra Shire Council | local-e.nsw.gov.au |
| Gwydir Shire Council | gwydirshire.com |
| Hawkesbury City Council | hawkesbury.nsw.gov.au |
| Hay Shire Council | hay.nsw.gov.au |
| Holroyd City Council | holroyd.nsw.gov.au |
| Hornsby Shire Council | hornsby.nsw.gov.au |
| Hunter's Hill Council | huntershill.nsw.gov.au |
| Hurstville City Council | hurstville.nsw.gov.au |
| Inverell Shire Council | inverell.nsw.gov.au |
| Jerilderie Shire Council | jerilderie.nsw.gov.au |
| Junee Shire Council | junee.nsw.gov.au |
| Kempsey Shire Council | kempsey.nsw.gov.au |
| Kiama Municipal Council | kiama.nsw.gov.au |
| Kogarah City Council | kogarah.nsw.gov.au |
| Ku-ring-gai Council | kmc.nsw.gov.au |
| Kyogle Council | kyogle.nsw.gov.au |
| Lachlan Shire Council | lachlan.nsw.gov.au |
| Lake Macquarie City Council | lakemac.com.au |
| Lane Cove Council | lanecove.nsw.gov.au |
| Leeton Shire Council | leeton.nsw.gov.au |
| Leichhardt Municipal Council | leichhardt.nsw.gov.au |
| Lismore City Council | lismore.nsw.gov.au |
| Lithgow City Council | lithgow.nsw.gov.au |
| Liverpool City Council | liverpool.nsw.gov.au |
| Liverpool Plains Shire Council | lpsc.nsw.gov.au |
| Lockhart Shire Council | lockhart.nsw.gov.au |
| Maitland City Council | maitland.nsw.gov.au |
| Manly Council | manly.nsw.gov.au |
| Marrickville Council | marrickville.nsw.gov.au |
| Mid-Western Regional Council | midwestern.nsw.gov.au |
| Moree Plains Shire Council | mpsc.nsw.gov.au |
| Mosman Municipal Council | mosman.nsw.gov.au |
| Murray Shire Council | murray.nsw.gov.au |
| Murrumbidgee Shire Council | murrumbidgee.local-e.nsw.gov.au |
| Muswellbrook Shire Council | muswellbrook.nsw.gov.au |
| Nambucca Shire Council | nambucca.nsw.gov.au |
| Narrabri Shire Council | narrabri.nsw.gov.au |
| Narrandera Shire Council | narrandera.nsw.gov.au |
| Narromine Shire Council | narromine.nsw.gov.au |
| Newcastle City Council | ncc.nsw.gov.au |
| North Sydney Council | northsydney.nsw.gov.au |
| Oberon Council | oberon.nsw.gov.au |
| Orange City Council | orange.nsw.gov.au |
| Palerang Council | palerang.nsw.gov.au |
| Parkes Shire Council | parkes.nsw.gov.au |
| Parramatta City Council | parracity.nsw.gov.au |
| Penrith City Council | penrithcity.nsw.gov.au |
| Pittwater Council | pittwater.nsw.gov.au |
| Port Macquarie-Hastings Council | pmhc.nsw.gov.au |
| Port Stephens Council | portstephens.local-e.nsw.gov.au |
| Queanbeyan City Council | qcc.nsw.gov.au |
| Randwick City Council | randwick.nsw.gov.au |
| Richmond Valley Council | richmondvalley.nsw.gov.au |
| Rockdale City Council | rockdale.nsw.gov.au |
| Shellharbour City Council | shellharbour.nsw.gov.au |
| Shoalhaven City Council | shoalhaven.nsw.gov.au |
| Singleton Council | singleton.nsw.gov.au |
| Snowy River Shire Council | snowyriver.nsw.gov.au |
| Strathfield Council | strathfield.nsw.gov.au |
| Sutherland Shire Council | sutherland.nsw.gov.au |
| Tamworth Regional Council | tamworth.nsw.gov.au |
| Temora Shire Council | temora.nsw.gov.au |
| Tenterfield Shire Council | tenterfield.nsw.gov.au |
| The Hills Shire Council | thehills.nsw.gov.au |
| Tweed Shire Council | tweed.nsw.gov.au |
| Upper Lachlan Council | upperlachlan.local-e.nsw.gov.au |
| Upper Hunter Shire Council | upperhunter.nsw.gov.au |
| Uralla Shire Council | uralla.nsw.gov.au |
| Urana Shire Council | urana.nsw.gov.au |
| Wagga Wagga City Council | wagga.nsw.gov.au |
| Wakool Shire Council | wakool.nsw.gov.au |
| Walcha Council | walcha.nsw.gov.au |
| Walgett Shire Council | walgett.nsw.gov.au |
| Warren Shire Council | warren.nsw.gov.au |
| Warringah Council | warringah.nsw.gov.au |
| Warrumbungle Shire Council | warrumbungle.nsw.gov.au |
| Waverley Council | waverley.nsw.gov.au |
| Weddin Shire Council | weddin.nsw.gov.au |
| Wellington Council | wellington.nsw.gov.au |
| Wentworth Shire Council | wentworth.nsw.gov.au |
| Willoughby City Council | willoughby.nsw.gov.au |
| Wingecarribee Shire Council | wsc.nsw.gov.au |
| Wollondilly Shire Council | wollondilly.nsw.gov.au |
| Wollongong City Council | wollongong.nsw.gov.au |
| Woollahra Municipal Council | woollahra.nsw.gov.au |
| Wyong Shire Council | wyong.nsw.gov.au |
| Yass Valley Council | yassvalley.nsw.gov.au |
| Young Shire Council | young.nsw.gov.au |
