Development without approval

Cabanas, cubby houses, ferneries, garden sheds, gazebos and greenhouses

You don’t need permission from council to built or install cabanas, cubby houses, ferneries, garden sheds, gazebos and greenhouses if:

Number

  • There are no more than 2 per lot

 Size

  • If it is on land in rural zones RU1, RU2, RU3, RU4 and R5 – be no larger than 50sqm
  • If it is on land in all other zones - no larger than 20sqm
  • It is no higher than 3m above the ground level

 Location

  • If it is on land in rural zones RU1, RU2, RU3 and RU4  - be located behind the building line of any road frontage
  • It is set back a minimum of 900mm from each boundary
  • It is located in the back yard if your property is in a heritage conservation area or a draft heritage conservation area
  • If it is located adjacent to another building—be located so that it does not interfere with the entry to, or exit from, or the fire safety measures within, that building.

 Other

  • It cannot be a shipping container
  • The disposal of any roof water must not cause a nuisance to adjoining owners
  • In residential zones, any metal parts of the structure are to be low reflective, factory pre coloured materials
  • If your property is bushfire prone land and the structure is going to be located less than 5m from your house or a neighbours house the structure must be constructed of non-combustible materials

You do need permission for cabanas, cubby houses, ferneries, garden sheds, gazebos and greenhouses if:

  • You do not meet all of the above requirement
  • Your property is a listed heritage item or draft heritage item or your property is located in a foreshore area

Further information:

  • Your local council can be contacted for further advice
  • You can find out whether your property is a listed heritage item, or located in a heritage conservation area, foreshore area or on bushfire prone land by contacting your local council
  • You can find out what zone your property is located in by contacting your local council
Last Updated 24-Mar-2011