Development without approval

Carports 

You don’t need permission from council to built or install a carport if:

 Number

  • There must not be more than 1 carport:
    • per lot if there is a house on the lot, or
    • per lot or per each separate occupation of premises on the lot, whichever is the greater, in any other case

 Size

  • not have a floor area more than
  • 50sqm for lots larger than 300sqm in a rural or R5 zone
  • 25sqm for a lot larger than 300sqm in a zone other than a rural or Zone R5
  • 20sqm for a lot 300sqm or less in any zone
  • be not higher than 3m above ground level (existing) or, if attached to an existing single storey house, be not higher than the roof gutter line
  • have 2 or more sides open and not less than one-third of its perimeter open

 Location

  • 1m behind the building line of any road frontage
  • A minimum 900mm from each lot boundary with the roof of the development to be a minimum of 500mm from each lot boundary
  • A minimum 1m from any registered easement, sewer main or water main
  • Be located in the back yard if your property is in a heritage conservation area or a draft heritage conservation area
  • Be located so that the carport does not reduce vehicular access to, or parking or loading or unloading on, or from, the lot

 Other

  • Must not result in a building classified under the Building Code of Australia as class 7a
  • 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 will require the approval of the relevant road authority for the construction of a new driveway or gutter crossing for each opening of a public road required for the development under the Roads Act 1993
  • The disposal of any roof water must be disposed of into an existing stormwater drainage system
  • Where the structure is connected to a fascia is must be connected in accordance with a professional engineer’s specifications

You do need permission for a carport if:

  • You do not meet all of the above requirement
  • The structure involves the construction of a new driveway or gutter crossing unless the consent of the relevant road authority for each opening of a public road required for the development has been obtained under the Roads Act 1993
  • 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, in a heritage conservation area or in a foreshore area by contacting your local council
Last Updated 24-Mar-2011