Victoria Shed Council Approval Information
A lot of customers are worried about requiring council approval or a permit when buying a shed. That’s why we are here to help clarify and tell you the Good NEWS!
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 ticks all the boxes according to the council's recommendations.
Whatever structure you are choosing to add to your property in Victoria, we recommend you check the guidelines to gain an understanding of your options.
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.
On this page I have provided some information for you, to understand the general rules in Victoria 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 trouble. If the council finds your building was added without council approval (and it needed it) 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.
SIZE RESTRAINTS IN VIC
Most buildings including sheds will require you to check with your local council. Victoria’s council regulations can vary a lot.
However to assist you with what to expect in general, a shed or workshop which meets the following requirements generally require not paperwork or approval:
- The floor area does not exceeding 10m²;
- Is not more than 3m in height or no more than 2.4m in height within 1 m of the boundary; and
- is appurtenant to a building of another Class on the same allotment; and
- is located no further forward on the allotment than the front wall of the building to which it is appurtenant; and
- is not constructed of masonry.
If the shed or workshop is 3m high (which some of our larger products offer), it won’t require a permit if it:
- Is setback 1m from the boundary
- the floor area is not more than 10m²;
- it is not constructed of masonry; and
- it is added to a building of another Class on the same allocation; and
- it is no built further forward on the location than the front wall of the property.
DO I NEED A BUILDING LICENCE?
A building permit is required for most building work, when it comes to major developments. However some minor projects are exempt as discussed above. Smaller sheds or buildings need only council approval.
In the following circumstances you will be requiring a building permit:
- Building a house or extensions
- Garage / Carports (which don’t fall under the previously mentioned guidelines)
- 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 neighbor'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 thans 6 x 12 meters.
COUNCIL CONTACTS
COUNCIL | WEBSITE |
---|---|
Alpine Shire Council | alpineshire.vic.gov.au |
Ararat Rural City Council | ararat.vic.gov.au |
Ballarat City Council | ballarat.vic.gov.au |
Banyule City Council | banyule.vic.gov.au |
Bass Coast Shire Council | basscoast.vic.gov.au |
Baw Baw Shire Council | bawbawshire.vic.gov.au |
Bayside City Council | bayside.vic.gov.au |
Benalla Rural City Council | benalla.vic.gov.au |
Boroondara City Council | boroondara.vic.gov.au |
Brimbank City Council | brimbank.vic.gov.au |
Buloke Shire Council | buloke.vic.gov.au |
Campaspe Shire Council | campaspe.vic.gov.au |
Cardinia Shire Council | cardinia.vic.gov.au |
Casey City Council | casey.vic.gov.au |
Central Goldfields Shire Council | centralgoldfields.com.au |
Colac Otway Shire Council | colacotway.vic.gov.au |
Corangamite Shire Council | corangamite.vic.gov.au |
Darebin City Council | darebin.vic.gov.au |
East Gippsland Shire Council | eastgippsland.vic.gov.au |
Frankston City Council | frankston.vic.gov.au |
Gannawarra Shire Council | gannawarra.vic.gov.au |
Glen Eira City Council | gleneira.vic.gov.au |
Glenelg Shire Council | glenelg.vic.gov.au |
Golden Plains Shire Council | goldenplains.vic.gov.au |
Greater Bendigo City Council | bendigo.vic.gov.au |
Greater Dandenong City Council | greaterdandenong.com |
Greater Geelong City Council | geelongaustralia.com.au |
Greater Shepparton City Council | greatershepparton.com.au |
Hepburn Shire Council | hepburn.vic.gov.au |
Hindmarsh Shire Council | hindmarsh.vic.gov.au |
Hobsons Bay City Council | hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au |
Horsham Rural City Council | hrcc.vic.gov.au |
Hume City Council | hume.vic.gov.au |
Indigo Shire Council | indigoshire.vic.gov.au |
Kingston City Council | kingston.vic.gov.au |
Knox City Council | knox.vic.gov.au |
Latrobe City Council | latrobe.vic.gov.au |
Loddon Shire Council | loddon.vic.gov.au |
Macedon Ranges Shire Council | mrsc.vic.gov.au |
Manningham City Council | manningham.vic.gov.au |
Mansfield Shire Council | mansfield.vic.gov.au |
Maribyrnong City Council | maribyrnong.vic.gov.au |
Maroondah City Council | maroondah.vic.gov.au |
Melbourne City Council | melbourne.vic.gov.au |
Melton City Council | melton.vic.gov.au |
Mildura Rural City Council | mildura.vic.gov.au |
Mitchell Shire Council | mitchellshire.vic.gov.au |
Moira Shire Council | moira.vic.gov.au |
Monash City Council | monash.vic.gov.au |
Moonee Valley City Council | mvcc.vic.gov.au |
Moorabool Shire Council | moorabool.vic.gov.au |
Moreland City Council | moreland.vic.gov.au |
Mornington Peninsula Shire Council | mornpen.vic.gov.au |
Mount Alexander Shire Council | mountalexander.vic.gov.au |
Moyne Shire Council | moyne.vic.gov.au |
Murrindindi Shire Council | murrindindi.vic.gov.au |
Nillumbik Shire Council | nillumbik.vic.gov.au |
Northern Grampians Shire Council | ngshire.vic.gov.au |
Port Phillip City Council | portphillip.vic.gov.au |
Pyrenees Shire Council | pyrenees.vic.gov.au |
Queenscliffe Borough Council | queenscliffe.vic.gov.au |
South Gippsland Shire Council | southgippsland.vic.gov.au |
Southern Grampians Shire Council | sthgrampians.vic.gov.au |
Stonnington City Council | stonnington.vic.gov.au |
Strathbogie Shire Council | strathbogie.vic.gov.au |
Surf Coast Shire Council | surfcoast.vic.gov.au |
Swan Hill Rural City Council | swanhill.vic.gov.au |
Towong Shire Council | towong.vic.gov.au |
Wangaratta Rural City Council | wangaratta.vic.gov.au |
Warrnambool City Council | warrnambool.vic.gov.au |
Wellington Shire Council | wellington.vic.gov.au |
West Wimmera Shire Council | westwimmera.vic.gov.au |
Whitehorse City Council | whitehorse.vic.gov.au |
Whittlesea City Council | whittlesea.vic.gov.au |
Wodonga City Council | wodonga.vic.gov.au |
Wyndham City Council | wyndham.vic.gov.au |
Yarra City Council | yarracity.vic.gov.au |
Yarra Ranges Shire Council | yarraranges.vic.gov.au |
Yarriambiack Shire Council | yarriambiack.vic.gov.au |