ADVICE TO APPLICANTS REGARDING
SHEDS TO BE CONSTRUCTED ON VACANT LOTS
AND THE USE OF A SHED AS A TEMPORARY DWELLING
This information sheet has been prepared to explain the various Planning and Building Controls that apply to
any proposal for the construction of a shed on a vacant lot and the use of a shed as a temporary dwelling.
A building permit is required for all sheds having a floor area greater than 10 square metres. Some farm
buildings, such as hay and farm machinery sheds to be located in the farming zone may be exempted from
the need to obtain a Building Permit pursuant to Regulation 1804 and Councils Local Law No’ 4. An
application form for a Council determination in this regard can be downloaded from the council web site or
obtained from the Market Place offices. The application and supporting information together with the
applicable fee must be lodged with council’s Manager Building Services.
Do I need a planning permit to build an outbuilding, shed or storage building?
RELATED LAND USE
PROPERTY LOCATION (ZONE)
VACANT LAND
DWELLING ON LAND (RESIDENTIAL)
INDUSTRIAL
AGRICULTURE
WAREHOUSE
Industrial 1 Zone (IN1Z, IN2Z & IN3Z)
Yes
Yes
Yes
No*
Yes
Commercial 1 Zone (C1Z)
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
2
Yes
Gross floor area <10m , No*
Building height <3m, No*
Gross floor area >10m2, Yes**
Building height >3m, Yes**
Yes
Yes
Yes
Prohibited
Gross floor area <10m2, No*
Building height <3m, No*
Gross floor area >10m2, Yes**
Building height >3m, Yes**
Prohibited
Yes
Yes
Prohibited
Gross floor area <10m2, No*
Building height <3m, No*
Gross floor area >10m2, Yes**
Building height >3m, Yes**
Prohibited
Yes
Prohibited
Neighborhood Residential Zone (NRZ1)
Prohibited
Gross floor area <10m2, No*
Building height <3m, No*
Gross floor area >10m2, Yes**
Building height >3m, Yes**
Prohibited
Yes
Prohibited
Low Density Residential Zone
(LDRZ & LDRZ1)
Prohibited
No*
Prohibited
Yes
Prohibited
Low Density Residential Zone (LDRZ2)
Prohibited
Floor area <10m2, No*
Floor area >10m2, Yes**
Prohibited
Yes
Prohibited
Rural Living Zone (RLZ1 & RLZ2)
Prohibited
Floor area <100m2, No*
Floor area >100m2, Yes**
Prohibited
No*
Township Zone (TZ)
Residential Growth Zone (RGZ1)
General Residential Zone (GRZ1)
<100m2,
#
Prohibited
##
Yes
##
Yes
Rural Activity Zone (RAZ)
Prohibited
Floor area
No*
Floor area >100m2, Yes**
Yes
No*
Farming Zone (FZ)
Prohibited
Floor area <100m2, No*
Floor area >100m2, Yes**
Yes
No*
*Unless required by an Overlay
**Does not apply to a garage or carport
#
If the proposed setbacks are less than 30m from a RDZ1 (highway); or 100m from a waterway, wetland or designated flood plain; then a planning permit IS required.
##
If the proposed setbacks are less than 100m from a RDZ1 (highway); 40m from a RDZ2 (main road); 20m from any other public road; 100m from a dwelling not in the
same ownership; 5m from a boundary; or 100m from a waterway, wetland or designated flood plain; then a planning permit IS required.
Planning Permit Application Requirements
If a planning permit is required for a shed/store, the following information will be required when lodging an
application:






Completed Planning Permit Application Form
A Copy of Certificate of Title and Title Plan (issued within the past 3 months)
3 copies of fully dimensioned A3 site plans drawn to a professional standard which include:
- all boundaries of the site property;
- all existing and proposed building and structures on lot;
- any native vegetation around the site (including any vegetation proposed to be removed).
Floor plans and Elevation plans of the proposed building
Additional information may be required if an overlay or specific provision of the Planning Scheme
applies
Planning permit application fee.
Temporary Dwellings
Councils Local Law No’ 4 sets out the matters that need to be considered before deciding if the temporary
occupation of a shed or other structure as a dwelling will be approved:
“In determining whether to grant a permit to occupy a temporary dwelling the Council must take into
account:”
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)
(g)
(h)
The suitability of the property for a temporary dwelling;
The issue of a building permit for a permanent dwelling;
Progress being made towards the completion of the permanent dwelling;
Compliance of the temporary residence with the Building Act 1993 or the Residential tenancies Act
1997(i.e. a caravan for sleeping);
Sanitary facilities(i.e. toilet, shower, laundry) being provided in accordance with Council’s
Environmental Officers requirements;
Appropriate services being provided(i.e. potable water supply);
Disposal of solid and liquid waste to the satisfaction of Council’s Environmental Health Officers
requirements;
Whether the granting of a permit will have a detrimental effect on neighbouring properties.
Prior to the occupation of a Shed or other structure as a temporary dwelling, a Permit to use the septic tank
(in all un-sewered areas) must be obtained. The Occupancy permit will only be issued for a limited period,
generally 12 months. Upon the completion of the main dwelling the temporary dwelling must be altered so
that it cannot be used as a separate dwelling
Council Officers can be contacted as follows:
Municipal Building Surveyor
Planning Officer
Environmental Health Officer
5573 0257
5573 0204
5573 0244
Amended: 9/12/2014 Trim: D/13/252