Minor Domestic Structures
The following deals with minor domestic structures such as carports, pergolas, tool sheds, verandahs, decks, shade sails and excavation, filling and retaining walls.
Pergolas
A pergola does not require Council approval if:
- It is associated with a house; and
- The associated house is not a Local or State Heritage place; and
- There is no roof (other than shade cloth); and
- Every free-standing side is open; and
- No part is higher than 4 metres; and
- No part is located in front of the dwelling that faces the primary street.
Freestanding Outbuildings
A garage, tool shed, or other similar freestanding structure (including cubby house) does not require Council approval if:
- It associated with a house; and
- The associated house is not a Local or State Heritage Place; and
- Is less than 10m2 in floor area in a Historic Conservation Area or in any other case 15m2; and
- It has no span greater than 3m; and
- It is less than 2.5m in total height; and
- It is not located in front of the dwelling that faces the primary street; and
- It is not located within 900mm of a secondary street (ie on a corner allotment).
Outbuildings that meet the criteria above do not need Council approval. However, Council does recommend that these structures are setback a minimum of 600mm from a boundary or another structure so that an area where leaf litter, vermin (mice and rats) and the like do not collect and create insanitary conditions.
Verandahs/Hard Roofed Pergolas and Carports
A verandah, hard roofed pergola or carport requires Council approval.
Decks
A deck does not require Council approval if:
- The property is not a Local or State Heritage Place; and
- It is to be used in association with an existing dwelling; and
- It is sited no higher than 500mm above natural ground level; and
- It is located no closer than 900mm to a boundary
Please do not build a deck over your septic tank as access must be gained to desludge the tank.
Shade Sails
A shade sail does not require Council approval if:
- It is made of a permeable material (ie. allows water and wind through it); and
- It has an area no greater than 20m2; and
- It has a height of more than 3m, above ground level;
and
- It is not located in front of the dwelling that faces the primary street
Excavation, filling and Retaining Walls
In most cases, excavation and filling of land and associated retaining walls will need Council approval as the work is associated with the construction of a building or other structure. Details of proposed earthworks and retaining walls should be detailed as part of a Development Application for the construction of the building.
Retaining walls that are proposed, no to facilitate construction of a building but only to enhance landscaped gardens of an existing home for example, are likely to require Council Approval if any of the following apply:
- The property is a State or Local Heritage place;
- The retaining wall retains a difference in ground level exceeding one metre; or two retaining walls or a series of retaining walls, are used tighter in a tiered fashion to retain an overall difference in ground level exceeding one meter;
- The total height of a retaining wall with fence exceeds 2.1 metres (measured to the lowest side).
If you propose to excavate or fill your land, or construct retaining wall, it is advisable to contact the Council to discuss your proposal, as Council approval may be required.
It is also essential that any excavation or filling that is occurring close to a boundary does not affect neighbouring properties or buildings on neighbouring properties and, in some case, a property owner is obliged to notify their neighbour.
Roller Doors
The installation of a garage or carport does not require Council approval if:
- The carport/garage already exists in association with an existing dwelling; and
- The carport/garage does not have any portion in front of the building line which faces the primary street
Aerials, antennas & Satellite dishes
A non-load-bearing aerial, antenna, mast, open framed tower or other similar structure does not require Council approval if:
- The property is not a Local or State Heritage Place; and
- If freestanding, it is less than 7.5m height (unless to be used solely be a person who holds an amateur licence under the Radio Communications Act 1992 of the Commonwealth, in which case 10m: and
- If attached to a building, it is less than 2m above the top most point of attachment to the building, disregarding any attachment by guy wires (unless it is a non-residential zone, in which case 4m); and
- In the case of a microwave, satellite or other form of communications dish, the diameter of the dish is less than 1.2m (unless it is in a non-residential zone, in which case 2.4m diameter).