Council approval requirements for garden buildings and sheds.
Overview
Anyone considering a new garden structure or backyard studio should check whether it needs council approval before ordering. In many cases, a small, non-habitable outbuilding can be built without a permit, provided it meets the conditions set out in the relevant state or council planning rules.
These rules vary by state and territory, and generally cover the structure's size, height, boundary setbacks and materials. In most states, building approval (structural safety) and planning approval (land use, zoning, heritage and other overlays) are assessed separately - a structure can be exempt from one and still require the other, so it's worth checking both.
