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Queensland Shed Council Approval Information

queensland-council-approval

If you are in need of a shed and wondering if you need building approval, the answer isn't straight forward.

See it depends on a few factors. The size shed you are wanting to buy, your state regulations and council rules. All these vary depending on where you live so regardless of what you are adding to your home, it's recommended you do some research to understand what regulations apply to your area.

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.

THE NUMBER #1 THING TO UNDERSTAND

 

If you build a shed, garage, carport etc without approval and you go to sell the property or have someone complain, you can get into some trouble. If the council finds your building was added without council approval you could face major fines and be forced to remove the building.

So it is very important you consider the rules and regulations in your state before buying a shed.

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 RESTRAINTS IN QLD

 

Generally, small garden sheds or storage units won't require you to submit forms for approval. It is outlined in the Queensland Building Regulation 2006, that you do not need building approval if your shed is:

  • no more than 10 square metres in the area after building work is completed
  • no more than 2.4 metres high (with an 'average mean height' of no more than 2.1 metres)
  • no longer than 5 metres along any side

ONLY If your shed does not meet these requirements, you will need to submit an application to be assessed. The council will assess whether or not you can commence your project and whether or not your need a building licence to carry it out.

To be approved, your shed will need to meet specific regulations relating to design and location. These are outlined in the Queensland Development Code as well.

Furthermore, your council may have additional rules added to the above state requirements so you are best to check with them first before buying.

It's a good idea to choose the shed you are after and share its specifications with your council so they can provide you with faster support.

DO I NEED A BUILDING LICENCE?

 

Mainly a building permit is required for larger buildings such as carports, garages, farm sheds, large custom sheds or the like.

You can seek advice and/or arrange for a building approval through a building certifier. You must give the certifier scaled and detailed plans prepared by a draftsperson or architect.

However, in Queensland some projects can be considered for self-assessable building work and not require a building permit if they meet the following regulations:

  • no more than 10m² in the area after building work is completed (e.g. 3.1m x 3.2m)
  • no more than 2.4m high
  • a mean height of no more than 2.1m
  • no longer than 5m along any side
  • Please note that boundary setbacks still apply.

If your building will require approval, you will need to lodge an application with a building certifier for assessment.

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.
The information on this page is purely guidance and although we have taken as much action to keep it up to date and clear, you should always check with your Governing body for more details before taking action.

LIST OF COUNCILS

 
COUNCIL WEBSITE
Banana Shire Council banana.qld.gov.au
Barcaldine Regional Council barcaldinerc.qld.gov.au
Barcoo Shire Council barcoo.qld.gov.au
Blackall-Tambo Regional Council btrc.qld.gov.au
Boulia Shire Council boulia.qld.gov.au
Central Highlands Regional Council chrc.qld.gov.au
Diamantina Shire Council diamantina.qld.gov.au
Gladstone Regional Council gladstonerc.qld.gov.au
Isaac Regional Council isaac.qld.gov.au
Longreach Regional Council longreach.qld.gov.au
Mackay Regional Council mackay.qld.gov.au
Rockhampton Regional Council rrc.qld.gov.au
Whitsunday Regional Council whitsundayrc.qld.gov.au
Winton Shire Council winton.qld.gov.au
Woorabinda Aboriginal Shire Council woorabinda.qld.gov.au
Aurukun Shire Council aurukun.qld.gov.au
Burdekin Shire Council burdekin.qld.gov.au
Burke Shire Council Burke.qld.gov.au
Cairns Regional Council cairns.qld.gov.au
Carpentaria Shire Council carpentaria.qld.gov.au
Cassowary Coast Regional Council cassowarycoast.qld.gov.au
Charters Towers Regional Council charterstowers.qld.gov.au
Cloncurry Shire Council cloncurry.qld.gov.au
Cook Shire Council cook.qld.gov.au
Croydon Shire Council croydon.qld.gov.au
Doomadgee Aboriginal Shire Council doomadgee.qld.gov.au
Etheridge Shire Council etheridge.qld.gov.au
Flinders Shire Council flinders.qld.gov.au
Hinchinbrook Shire Council hinchinbrook.qld.gov.au
Hope Vale Aboriginal Shire Council hopevale.qld.gov.au
Kowanyama Aboriginal Shire Council kowanyama.qld.gov.au
Lockhart River Aboriginal Shire Council lockhart.qld.gov.au
Mapoon Aboriginal Shire Council mapoon.qld.gov.au
McKinlay Shire Council mornington.qld.gov.au
Mornington Shire Council mornington.qld.gov.au
Mount Isa City Council mountisa.qld.gov.au
Napranum Aboriginal Shire Council napranum.qld.gov.au
Northern Peninsula Area Regional Council nparc.qld.gov.au
Palm Island Aboriginal Shire Council piac.com.au/
Pormpuraaw Aboriginal Shire Council pormpuraaw.qld.gov.au
Richmond Shire Council richmond.qld.gov.au
Tablelands Regional Council trc.qld.gov.au
Torres Shire Council torres.qld.gov.au
Torres Strait Island Regional Council tsirc.qld.gov.au
Townsville City Council townsville.qld.gov.au
Wujal Wujal Aboriginal Shire Council wujalwujalcouncil.qld.gov.au
Yarrabah Aboriginal Shire Council yarrabah.qld.gov.au
Douglas Shire Council douglas.qld.gov.au
Mareeba Shire Council msc.qld.gov.au
Balonne Shire Council balonne.qld.gov.au
Brisbane City Council brisbane.qld.gov.au/
Bulloo Shire Council bulloo.qld.gov.au
Bundaberg Regional Council bundaberg.qld.gov.au
Cherbourg Aboriginal Shire Council cherbourg.qld.gov.au
Fraser Coast Regional Council frasercoast.qld.gov.au
Gold Coast City Council goldcoast.qld.gov.au
Goondiwindi Regional Council grc.qld.gov.au
Gympie Regional Council gympie.qld.gov.au
Ipswich City Council ipswich.qld.gov.au
Lockyer Valley Regional Council lvrc.qld.gov.au
Logan City Council logan.qld.gov.au
Maranoa Regional Council maranoa.qld.gov.au
Moreton Bay Regional Council moretonbay.qld.gov.au
Murweh Shire Council murweh.qld.gov.au
North Burnett Regional Council northburnett.qld.gov.au
Paroo Shire Council paroo.qld.gov.au
Quilpie Shire Council quilpie.qld.gov.au
Redland City Council redland.qld.gov.au
Scenic Rim Regional Council scenicrim.qld.gov.au
Somerset Regional Council somerset.qld.gov.au
South Burnett Regional Council southburnett.qld.gov.au
Southern Downs Regional Council southerndowns.qld.gov.au
Sunshine Coast Regional Council sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au
Toowoomba Regional Council toowoombarc.qld.gov.au
Western Downs Regional Council wdrc.qld.gov.au
Livingstone Shire Council livingstone.qld.gov.au
Noosa Shire Council noosa.qld.gov.au/