Queensland Shed Council Approval Information
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.
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/ |