Sheds fall within the definition of a 'domestic outbuilding' under the Redland City Plan. These are class 10a, non-habitable structures associated with a residential use on the same property.
If you are proposing a shed on vacant land (i.e. there is no associated residence on the property), the structure may have an alternative definition under the planning scheme and may be subject to different requirements.
You can read the below information about approvals for sheds associated with a residential use and sheds located on vacant land.
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If 10m2 or less refer Other minor building projects to determine if a building or planning application required.
Planning approval
Whether you need planning approval for your shed depends on the specific details of your property, including site area, zoning and overlays.
Find out the zoning and overlays that apply to your property using Development.i.
If no planning approval is necessary, you may still require a referral agency assessment application for design and siting assessable against the Queensland Development Code.
When you do not need planning approval
Generally, where there is an existing dwelling house on the lot, a domestic outbuilding will be accepted development under the table of assessment of Redland City Plan and will not require a planning approval.
When you need planning approval
Generally planning approval will be required if your site is identified by an overlay and that overlay elevates the level of assessment for a dwelling house and/or domestic outbuilding.
For example properties affected by the Coastal Protection (erosion prone areas) overlay , Heritage overlay and/or Flood and Storm Tide Hazard overlay may require a planning approval for a domestic outbuilding in some circumstances.
Building approval
Building work requiring assessment against the Building Act 1975 may be required. If your shed needs building approval, you can obtain this through a private certifier.
The certifier assesses your proposed shed to determine if it complies with relevant building regulations such as the Queensland Development Code.
Generally building approval is not needed if your shed:
- has an area no greater than 10m2
- has a height no more than 2.4m above natural ground level
- has a wall length on any side no longer than 5m
- complies with design and setback requirements in the Queensland Development Code or an alternative provision of the Redland City Plan.
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Sheds allowed on vacant land
You can build three types of sheds on vacant land:
- a garden shed or lawn locker
- a domestic outbuilding
- a shed that is part of an approved temporary home permit.
Garden shed or lawn locker
This type of shed is allowed on a vacant block because the use of the shed is of a scale and intensity that will not change the existing use of the land.
You do not need planning or building approvals if you propose this type of shed and it meets the minor building works requirements.
Domestic outbuilding as part of a property
This type of shed may be allowed on a lot that is used alongside a residential block as part of the one premise.
Where lots are amalgamated for rates purposes, an outbuilding may be located on an amalgamated property where the intent is to use that outbuilding in association with the dwelling house.
Shed as part of a temporary home permit
This type of shed may be used as part of a temporary home permit with Council approval. In this case, the temporary home can be occupied until the permanent dwelling is completed.
To get a temporary home permit, you need to lodge the appropriate forms and supporting documentation to Council. This includes building and plumbing approvals for the permanent dwelling, and the details and design of the temporary home.
Read more about building temporary homes and contact us for more information.
Do I need approval?
A domestic outbuilding includes only development on a property that has a residential use. If no residence exists, the Redland City Plan applies a different definition for the proposed shed.
Depending on the size and use of the shed, it is generally classified as an ‘undefined use’, a ‘warehouse’ or another type of use when the land is identified as having a non-residential zone. A ‘warehouse’ is the use of a premise for storing goods or materials in a building that is not associated with another use on the premise.
In a residential zone, these types of uses are impact assessable and generally not preferred under the Redland City Plan.
You must consider the zoning and overlays that apply to your property to determine what approvals are required.
Related links
- Building over or near infrastructure
- Other minor building projects
- Queensland development code – design and siting standards
- Queensland Development Code (full document by Queensland Government).