Do you need council approval for a shed? It depends on how big the shed is, how high it stands, how close it sits to a boundary and what it is made of. Small garden sheds are often exempt, but most sheds a builder is asked to quote on will need approval of some kind.
In some states, that approval comes from a private building surveyor or certifier instead of council. Either way, you need it before the work starts.
This guide covers the rules for each state and territory and New Zealand, the plans you will usually need to lodge, and what can happen if you build without approval. Planning the whole build? Read our guide to how to build a shed in Australia: permits, site checks and step-by-step guide.
When does a shed need council approval?
Four things usually decide the answer:
- Size. The exempt size is often around 10 m², though a few states allow more.
- Height. Limits are commonly between 2.4 m and 3 m, and some states set a lower limit close to a boundary.
- Position. How close the shed sits to a boundary or easement, and whether it sits forward of the house.
- Materials and use. Masonry sheds and sheds attached to another building are treated differently, and so are sheds people will work or live in rather than just store things.
Planning rules can apply on top of building rules. Overlays such as heritage, flood or bushfire can change the answer, even for a small shed, so check what applies to your block.
Shed approval rules by state
These are the usual limits. Councils add their own rules, so confirm with your council, building surveyor or certifier before you build or quote.
| Location | When a shed usually needs approval |
| Victoria | A freestanding shed is exempt from a building permit only if it is 10 m² or less, 3 m high or less (2.4 m within 1 m of a boundary), not masonry and not forward of the house. Garages need a building permit. |
| New South Wales | Sheds that meet the exempt development standards in the Codes SEPP need no approval. Larger sheds can be approved as complying development by a certifier or council, or through a development application. |
| Queensland | Building approval is needed if the shed is over 10 m², over 2.4 m high (or 2.1 m mean height), or longer than 5 m on any side. Planning approval may also be needed if it doesn’t meet the local dwelling house code or an overlay applies. |
| Western Australia | A building permit is needed unless the shed is 10 m² or less, 2.4 m high or less and not attached to another structure. |
| South Australia | Small garden sheds are generally not treated as development, but larger sheds need development approval. In protected areas, such as heritage, flood or bushfire areas, all projects need approval. The PlanSA approval wizard confirms the rules for an address. |
| Tasmania | Garages, sheds and carports can be low-risk work with no building approval if they are 18 m² or less, single storey, no more than 4.5 m high with walls up to 3.6 m, and not within 2 m of an easement. A planning permit may still apply. |
| ACT | No building approval is needed if the shed is no more than 3 m high, has a roof area of 25 m² or less, an unsupported span of 4 m or less, and a floor no more than 1 m above ground. |
| Northern Territory | A building permit is needed in building control areas, with some exemptions. |
| New Zealand | A single-storey shed of 10 m² or less can be built without building consent. A shed of 10 to 30 m² is also exempt if a Licensed Building Practitioner carries out or supervises the work, or if it uses lightweight materials to the acceptable solution, and it must sit at least 1 m from boundaries and other buildings. Sheds over 30 m² need building consent, and district plan rules still apply. |
What happens if you build a shed without council approval?
Building without a required approval is an offence in Victoria, and other states and territories have their own enforcement rules. Here is how the process usually runs in Victoria:
- It gets noticed. Councils can investigate complaints and enquiries about suspected illegal building work.
- The owner receives a notice. A building notice goes to the property owner, not the builder or contractor.
- You get options. These can include applying to keep the shed, carrying out corrective work, or removing it.
- Ignoring an order can lead to prosecution. Failing to follow a stop work order or building order can mean court action and fines.
If you apply to keep a shed after it is built, it is assessed as built, so it may need changes before it passes. That is why checking first is the safer move.
Rules and penalties differ in each state and change over time, so check the current position with your council or state building authority before you act. If you quote on sheds for customers, confirm the approval pathway before you price the job, so the quote covers what it takes to build legally.
What plans does council need for a shed?
Councils, building surveyors and certifiers usually ask for drawings at one of three levels. The bigger the shed, and the closer it sits to a boundary or the house, the further down this list you go.
- Site plan. A scaled, bird’s-eye view of the property showing boundaries, setbacks, the existing house, easements and where the shed will sit.
- Elevations and sections. Side-on views and vertical slices that show height, levels, roof pitch and footings.
- Full plan set. Adds floor plans, engineering, drainage and any specialist reports. Large sheds, and sheds attached to the house, may need it.
For a shed that needs approval, expect to provide a site plan with setbacks and easements, elevations showing height and materials, and the manufacturer’s engineering. For the wider picture, see our overview of what plans council needs.
What scale should my site plan be?
Councils usually accept a site plan at 1:200 or 1:500, and some set a minimum. Floor plans and elevations are usually 1:100, though some councils accept 1:200. Every drawing should show its scale, a scale bar and a north point. Some councils set their own scale or paper size, so check the local checklist before you lodge.
| Drawing | Typical scale | Notes |
| Site plan | 1:200 or 1:500 | Some councils set a minimum, so check the local checklist |
| Layout or floor plan | 1:100 | Some councils accept 1:200 |
| Elevations and sections | 1:100 | Some councils accept 1:200 for elevations |
| Construction details | 1:20 to 1:50 | Footings, connections and framing |
Check the site before you quote, then draw the plan
A shed can be exempt on one block and need approval on the next, because overlays, easements and boundaries change the answer. Check the site first, then draw a plan council can read.
uDrew OnSite brings together site intelligence such as zoning and codes, lot information and bushfire reports, so you know what you are working with before you commit.
uDrew Studio then lets you draw accurate, scaled, council-ready site plans on the property itself, with boundaries, setbacks, easements and existing structures in place.
That means you can:
- check setbacks and siting before the design is locked in
- share plans with your team, surveyor, certifier or engineer in a few clicks
- show the customer exactly where the shed is going, and quote with confidence
- reuse the same accurate base if the job needs a full plan set
See how it works for shed builders, or compare plans on our pricing page.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need council approval for a shed?
Usually, unless the shed is small enough to be exempt. The limits depend on your state, the size and height of the shed, how close it sits to a boundary and what it is made of. The table above sets out the rules for each state and territory and for New Zealand.
What happens if you build a shed without council approval?
In Victoria, you can be issued a notice or order that requires you to fix the problem, apply to keep the shed, or remove it, and ignoring an order can lead to prosecution and fines. Other states have their own rules, so check with your council or state building authority.
Can you get approval after the shed is built?
In Victoria, the building surveyor can give you the option to apply to keep the shed. It is assessed as built, so it may need changes first. Other states have their own processes, so ask your council or certifier what applies.
Do I need a permit for a shed in Victoria?
Yes, unless it is freestanding, 10 m² or less, no more than 3 m high (2.4 m within 1 m of a boundary), not masonry and not forward of the house.
Do you need consent for a shed in New Zealand?
Not always. A single-storey shed of 10 m² or less is exempt, and one of 10 to 30 m² can be exempt if a Licensed Building Practitioner carries out or supervises the work or it uses lightweight materials to the acceptable solution. Anything over 30 m² needs building consent, and district plan rules still apply.
How close to the boundary can you build a shed?
It depends on your state and council. In Victoria, a shed within 1 m of a boundary can be no higher than 2.4 m to stay exempt. In New Zealand, a shed of 10 to 30 m² needs to sit at least 1 m from boundaries and other buildings to be exempt. Local planning rules can set their own setbacks, so check with your council.
What scale should my site plan be?
Councils usually accept a site plan at 1:200 or 1:500, and some set a minimum. Floor plans and elevations are usually 1:100, though some councils accept 1:200. Check the local checklist before you draw.
