What is a boundary relaxation?

A boundary relaxation is the council’s agreement for a structure to sit closer to a boundary, or to the street, than the siting rules for the lot allow. In Queensland it is called a siting variation, and the certifier cannot give the building approval until the council has agreed to it. In Victoria the building surveyor asks the council for its report and consent before issuing the permit. In New South Wales a structure outside the standards for its pathway goes to the council as a development application instead.

When does a carport or shed need one?

When it sits closer to a boundary than the rules allow for its height and length. The common cases are a carport in the front setback, a shed or garage with a long wall on a side boundary, and a structure on a corner block close to the second street. The post on carports in front of the house covers the front setback case.

Do I need a boundary relaxation for a carport?

Only where the carport cannot meet the siting rules in the spot you want. How open the carport is changes how it is treated near a boundary, and a roller door or a later enclosure reopens the question. Moving the carport, or shortening the wall that faces the boundary, can take it back inside the rules.

Who decides, and what do they weigh?

The council decides. It weighs how the structure looks from the street, the light, privacy and outlook of the house next door, where the roof water goes and, near a corner, whether drivers can still see. It can ask for the neighbour’s comments, set conditions or refuse, and the assessment carries a fee and its own time.

What does the site plan need to show?

the distance from the structure itself, not the house, to each boundary
the height of the wall that faces the boundary, and its length
the street boundary and the line of the house next door
where the roof water goes

Reading it for your own lot

RapidSiteplan reads the council and building rules for your lot from its address, checks the design against them as you place it, lets you edit it as often as you like, and prints the site plan. Site plans and assessments in minutes. Move the structure and the distance to each boundary moves with it, so you can see where it fits inside the rules.

Search your address, or see what the plan shows for a shed or carport. The Queensland page explains how approval works there, the Gold Coast page lists what we hold for that council, and site plans by council covers the rest of Australia. The post on what Rescode means in Victoria covers the residential standards and who applies them.

Common questions

What is a boundary relaxation? The council’s agreement for a structure to sit closer to a boundary or the street than the siting rules allow. The certifier or building surveyor waits for it before giving the building approval. The site plan shows the distances the council weighs.

Do I need a boundary relaxation for a carport? Only if the carport sits closer to a boundary or the street than the siting rules allow for its height and length. Moving it, or shortening the wall that faces the boundary, can bring it back inside the rules.

Is a siting variation the same as a relaxation? Yes. Queensland calls it a siting variation, builders often say relaxation, and in Victoria it is the council’s report and consent. Each is the council agreeing to a structure closer to a boundary than the rules allow.