How do I get council approval for a shed?

You get council approval for a shed by checking first whether it needs approval at all, then lodging with a private certifier or the council, with a site plan, elevations and the engineering for the kit. Where an overlay or a siting question brings a planning decision, the council decides that part first, and the building approval follows.

Does the shed need approval at all?

Small, low sheds set away from the boundaries can often go up without building approval, under each state’s own exemption. The size, the wall and roof heights and the distance to each boundary decide it together, and an overlay or an easement can take away an exemption the size alone would give. The post on shed approval covers the tests.

Who do I lodge with?

In most states a private certifier or building surveyor gives the building approval, and the council keeps the records and decides any planning question. Some councils still certify building work themselves. The shed supplier often arranges the certifier as part of the kit, and an owner can lodge directly. The post on applying yourself covers that path.

What goes in the application?

the site plan, to scale, with the shed and its distance to every boundary
elevations showing the wall and roof heights
the engineering for the kit, rated for the site’s wind class
the slab or footing design, and the bushfire level where the land is mapped
the owner’s details and the lot and plan number from the rates notice

How do I get council approval for a patio?

The same way, with the patio’s own tests. Whether it is attached to the house, whether it has a roof and how close it comes to the boundary decide whether it needs approval, and the site plan shows all three. A patio kit comes with engineering much like a shed’s.

How long does council approval take?

There is no set time. A complete application with a clear site plan moves fastest, because the most common hold up is a request for more information. An overlay, a siting relaxation or a planning decision each adds a wait of its own.

What does it cost?

The bill has parts: the certifier’s fee, the council’s lodgement and search fees, a planning fee where a decision is needed, and the drawings. The size of the job and whether a planning decision is needed decide it, so ask each one what the quote covers.

Reading it for your own lot

RapidSiteplan reads the lot from its address in a minute: the boundaries, the buildings already standing, the overlays mapped over the block and the services. Place the shed at the size quoted and the sheet gives its distance to every boundary and the site cover, ready for the certifier. The shed and carport page shows the sheet, and the council pages for every state show what each council maps. Start with the address. The post on the development application forms covers which form goes with which work.

Common questions

How do I get council approval for a shed? Check first whether the shed needs approval at all, then lodge with a private certifier or the council with a site plan, elevations and the engineering for the kit. Where an overlay or a siting question brings a planning decision, the council decides that part before the building approval is given.

How do I get council approval for a patio? The same way as a shed, with the patio’s own tests: whether it is attached to the house, whether it has a roof and how close it comes to the boundary. The site plan shows all three, and the kit comes with engineering much like a shed’s.

How long does council approval take? There is no set time. A complete application with a clear site plan moves fastest, because the most common hold up is a request for more information, and an overlay, a siting relaxation or a planning decision each adds a wait of its own.