Pergolas, Carports, Garages, Verandahs and Sheds

Construction of any garage, carport or verandah requires a building permit.  

Whether or not you need a building permit to place a shed or pergola on your property will depend on factors such as the size and location of the proposed structure. 

Sheds 

Placing a shed on land will require a building permit when the shed meets any of the following criteria: 

  • Is attached to a building 

  • Has a floor area larger than 10 square metres 

  • Has a height of greater than 3.0 metres OR 

  • Has a height greater than 2.4 metres when located within 1.0 metres of another property 

  • Is constructed of masonry such as bricks or other blocks 

  • Is located further forward on the property than existing buildings  

It is also important to remember that you cannot build your shed over an easement or within 1m of an authority asset unless you have written consent from the relevant service authority (this could include Council).

Pergolas 

Your pergola will require a building permit if any of the following apply: 

  • The floor area is greater than 20 metres squared 

  • The height is greater than 3.6 metres 

  • The pergola is located more than 2.5 metres further forward than the front of the house 

A Pergola is defined in the building regulations as an unroofed open structure.

A Building Permit is not required for a Pergola, provided that it is:

  • attached to a Class 1 house not more than 20m2 in area not more than 3.6m in height located no further forward on the allotment than 2.5m forward of the front wall of the building to which it is attached, or located at the rear of the building to which it is attached.

A permit is required when:

  • your building has a roof, this is deemed to be a verandah or carport and will need a building permit:
  • your pergola is located more than 2.5m forward of the front wall of a single dwelling.

Construction of a freestanding Class 10a shed does not require a building permit if it:

  • has a floor area not exceeding 10m2, and
  • is not more than 3m in height (or not more than 2.4m in height if within 1m of a side or rear boundary), and
  • is located no further forward on the allotment than the other buildings on the same allotment (ie house), and
  • is not constructed of masonry (brick, block etc).

Note: It is also important to remember that you cannot site your shed over an easement or within 1m of an authority asset unless you have written consent from the relevant service authority (this could include Council).

Construction of any verandah, carport or garage requires a building permit.

Contact Us

Phone

9205 2200

Email

contactus@hume.vic.gov.au
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