This page gives an overview of the planning and building requirements for building a carport or garage on a residential property. You may require planning/development approval, or building approval, or both. The following information will help you determine what approvals you need and how to lodge an application.
Definitions
Garages
A garage is a building which is attached to the dwelling and intended to be used to accommodate one or more vehicles.
Carports
A carport is a roofed structure designed to accommodate one or more vehicles. It is unenclosed but may have a visually permeable (see-through) door. If a carport includes a solid door which is not visually permeable, the structure is considered to be a garage.
Planning/Development Approval for a Carport or Garage
Residential Zones
Garages
Planning/development approval is generally not required if your property is in a residential zone and your garage meets the following requirements:
- A garage facing the street is setback 4.5 metres from the primary street or 3.0 metres from the secondary street;
- If the garage door is parallel to the street it must be setback 3.0 metres from the primary street. The wall facing the street must include windows
- For single storey dwellings, the width of the garage and supporting structures does not exceed 50% of the frontage. For two storey dwellings, the limit increases to 60%.
- The area of the proposed garage, together with the area of all existing buildings on the site (including the house), does not exceed 55%;
- The property is not on our Heritage List.
Carports
Planning/development approval is usually not required if your property is in a residential zone and your carport meets the following requirements:
- A carport is setback 3.0 metres from the primary street or 3.0 metres from the secondary street;
- The carport is constructed of compatible materials, style and roof pitch to the existing dwelling;
- It is designed to allow for an unobstructed view between the dwelling and the street, right of way or equivalent; and
- The carport does not exceed 50% of the frontage at the building line.
These requirements are set by:
- Residential Design Codes (R-Codes);
- Local Planning Policy 1.17 Additional Development Exemptions; and
- Local Planning Policy 3.1 ‘Residential Development’;
If your garage or carport does not meet the standards outlined above, it is likely you will need to apply for planning/development approval. Please contact us to discuss your proposal further.
Other Zones
Planning/development approval is always required. Check your zone using our online maps.
Building Approval for a Carport or Garage
You will need to apply for a building permit if any of the following apply:
If the garage or carport is freestanding and:
- The floor area exceeds 10m2
- It is more than 2.4 metres in height
- It is located in a wind region C or D as defined in Australian Standard AS 1170.2.
Lodging a Planning/Development or Building Application for a Carport or Garage
You can lodge and track most building and planning/development applications online, however some applications must be submitted in-person at our Civic Centre.
Lodge and Track a Building and Planning Application
The following guides provide more information about what to include in your application:
Planning/Development Approvals
Timeframes
We aim to process applications within the following guidelines:
- Where we don’t need to consult with neighbours or external agencies: 60 days.
- Where we need to consult with neighbours or external agencies: 90 days
These timelines may sometimes be extended in consultation with the applicant. For more information about the development application process, please refer to the FAQ's.
Fees and Charges
Planning/development application fees are calculated based on the contract value of the project and are listed on our Planning Application Fee Schedule. The fee for projects with a contract value less than $50,000 is $147.
Building Permit Applications
Timeframes
We process all certified applications (BA1 forms) within 10 working days, and all uncertified applications (BA2 forms) within 25 working days.
You should apply for a certified application (BA1) when you have had the plans, specifications and technical documents assessed by a registered private building surveyor and have been issued a Certificate of Design Compliance (BA3). You should apply for an uncertified application (BA2) when your plans, specifications and technical documents have not been assessed by a private building surveyor and they will need to be assessed by our building surveyors.
If we need further information to assess your application, you will have up to 21 calendar days to provide any outstanding information. We then have balance of the remaining 10 working days to provide a determination.
If you do not provide the outstanding information within the 21 days, we may refuse your application.
Fees and Charges
The building permit fee for a carport or garage with a contract value less than $20,000 is $166.65. If the value of the contract is more than $20,000, the building permit fees will be calculated at the following percentages of the total contract price:
- Application Fee – 0.19%
- Building Service Levy - 0.137%
You may also need to pay a verge bond fee and the CTF Levy. See all our building permit fees in our Building Permit Fee Schedule, or use our online fee calculator to estimate your building fees.
Verge Bond Fee
For building projects over $20,000, you will also need to pay a verge bond. A verge bond is held by us to ensure that any damage caused to City verge infrastructure during construction works is rectified to pre-works condition.
- Verge Bond - $1,900.00
- Verge Bond Inspection Fee (non-refundable) - $100
To find out more and apply, visit our Verge Bonds and Refunds page.
CTF Levy
If your project has a construction value of more than $20,000, you will need to pay the Construction Training Fund (CTF) Levy. The rate of the levy is 0.2% of the total value of construction (inclusive of GST).
Planning/Development and Building Advice for a Carport or Garage
The advice on this page is a general guide only. We encourage you to contact us to discuss your project so we can advise whether planning/development or building approval is needed. A planning officer and a building officer are available during business hours to provide advice on a range of matters either in person, over the phone, or by email. Depending on the complexity of the advice being sought, we may ask you to lodge a request for written planning advice and a $73 fee will apply.
Guiding Documents
Forms and Documents