South Australia Shed Council Approval Information
Are you confused whether or not you need council approval or a permit to build a shed? Don't worry a lot of customers have the same concerns. That’s why we are here to help clarify.
Whatever structure you are choosing to add to your property in South Australia, it's recommended you do some research to understand your state and councils guidelines regarding putting up new buildings (no matter how small).
The GOOD NEWS is that not every kind of building requires approval or a building licence.
A small to medium shed normally requires no paperwork however it's important to check if your structure falls into the exempt from approval category.
On this page I have provided some information for you, to understand the general rules in South Australia in regards to what to expect and what to do if you need building approval.
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 SA
As mentioned before smaller structures, may be exempt from council approval such as:
- Garden sheds
- Tool sheds
- bird aviaries
- rainwater tanks.
As a guide, approval from Council is NOT required for these items if it's being added to your home or a domestic residence.
However for a shed or small workshop you generally only need approval if it meets any of the following:
- Higher than 2.5m above natural ground level
- Larger than 15m2 in area
- The Span is greater than 3m
- It's subject of any obstructions
EXCEPTIONS: Even though your development may comply with the above, you may still be required to obtain planning approval if the structure is located between an existing building and the road frontage or if It’s closer than 900mm to the secondary street boundary for corner blocks.
DO I NEED A BUILDING LICENCE?
You may only require an assessment on your plans to whether or not you need a licence if you are planning to develop any of the following:
- Building a house or extensions
- Garage
- Granny Flats
- Other buildings and structures such as swimming pools, retaining walls and fences.
It also needs to abide by The Building Code of Australia which outlines that your plans cannot impact,
- The structural integrity of any other building
- A fire-rated wall, ceiling or floor
- Any emergency escapes or exists or similar to
- Natural light, ventilation or fire protection system
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 |
|---|---|
| Adelaide City Council | adelaidecitycouncil.com |
| Adelaide Hills Council | ahc.sa.gov.au |
| Alexandrina Council | alexandrina.sa.gov.au |
| The Barossa Council | barossa.sa.gov.au |
| District Council of Barunga West | barungawest.sa.gov.au |
| Berri Barmera Council | berribarmera.sa.gov.au |
| The City of Burnside | burnside.sa.gov.au |
| Campbelltown City Council | campbelltown.sa.gov.au |
| District Council Ceduna | ceduna.sa.gov.au |
| City of Charles Sturt | charlessturt.sa.gov.au |
| Clare & Gilbert Valleys Council | claregilbertvalleys.sa.gov.au |
| District Council of Cleve | cleve.sa.gov.au |
| District Council of Coober Pedy | cooberpedy.sa.gov.au |
| The Coorong District Council | coorong.sa.gov.au |
| District Council of the Copper Coast | coppercoast.sa.gov.au |
| District Council of Elliston | elliston.sa.gov.au |
| The Flinders Ranges Council | frc.sa.gov.au |
| District Council of Franklin Harbour | franklinharbour.sa.gov.au |
| Town of Gawler | gawler.sa.gov.au |
| Regional Council of Goyder | goyder.sa.gov.au |
| District Council of Grant | dcgrant.sa.gov.au |
| City of Holdfast Bay | holdfast.sa.gov.au |
| Kangaroo Island Council | kangarooisland.sa.gov.au |
| District Council of Karoonda East Murray | dckem.sa.gov.au |
| District Council of Kimba | kimba.sa.gov.au |
| Kingston District Council | kingstondc.sa.gov.au |
| Wudinna District Council | wudinna.sa.gov.au |
| Light Regional Council | light.sa.gov.au |
| District Council of Lower Eyre Peninsula | lowereyrepeninsula.sa.gov.au |
| District Council of Loxton Waikerie | loxtonwaikerie.sa.gov.au |
| District Council of Mallala | mallala.sa.gov.au |
| City of Marion | marion.sa.gov.au |
| Mid Murray Council | mid-murray.sa.gov.au |
| City of Mitcham | mitchamcouncil.sa.gov.au |
| District Council of Mt Barker | dcmtbarker.sa.gov.au |
| City of Mt Gambier | mountgambier.sa.gov.au |
| District Council of Mt Remarkable | mtr.sa.gov.au |
| The Rural City of Murray Bridge | murraybridge.sa.gov.au |
| Naracoorte Lucindale Council | naracoortelucindale.sa.gov.au |
| Northern Areas Council | nacouncil.sa.gov.au |
| The City Of Norwood, Payneham & St Peters | npsp.sa.gov.au |
| City of Onkaparinga | onkaparingacity.com |
| District Council of Orroroo Carrieton | orroroo.sa.gov.au |
| District Council of Peterborough | peterborough.sa.gov.au |
| City of Playford | playford.sa.gov.au |
| City of Port Adelaide Enfield | |
| Port Augusta City Council | portaugusta.sa.gov.au |
| City of Pt Lincoln | portlincoln.sa.gov.au |
| Port Pirie Regional Council | pirie.sa.gov.au |
| City of Prospect | prospect.sa.gov.au |
| District Council of Renmark Paringa | renmarkparinga.sa.gov.au |
| District Council of Robe | council.robe.sa.gov.au |
| Municipal Council of Roxby Downs | roxbydowns.com |
| City of Salisbury | salisbury.sa.gov.au |
| Southern Mallee District Council | southernmallee.sa.gov.au |
| District Council of Streaky Bay | streakybay.sa.gov.au |
| Tatiara District Council | tatiara.sa.gov.au |
| City of Tea Tree Gully | teatreegully.sa.gov.au |
| District Council of Tumby Bay | tumbybay.sa.gov.au |
| City of Unley | unley.sa.gov.au |
| City of Victor Harbor | victor.sa.gov.au |
| Wakefield Regional Council | wakefieldrc.sa.gov.au |
| Corporation of the Town of Walkerville | walkerville.sa.gov.au |
| Wattle Range Council | wattlerange.sa.gov.au |
| City of West Torrens | westtorrens.sa.gov.au |
| District Council of Yankalilla | yankalilla.sa.gov.au |
| Yorke Peninsula Council | yorke.sa.gov.au |
| The Corporation of the City of Whyalla | whyalla.sa.gov.au |
