‘Do I need planning approval to build my new shed?’

It’s one of the most common questions we’re asked, but it’s the right one and the best place to start if you’re looking at building a brand new shed.

Whether or not an approval for your shed is required is usually dependent on the size of the structure – so if you’re simply placing a small garden shed on your block or a storage shed to house the lawn mower, you may not need building approval at all. There are a small list of minor works which aren’t required to have a building or occupancy permit and these cases are listed in the Building Regulations 2006.

Here at Allied Sheds, we’re talking serious sheds which are high quality structures for your farm or business. For these new sheds, the structure area is generally large and will absolutely require you to actively seek planning approval.

I need to seek building approval for my new shed. Where do I start?

How you seek your building approval for your new shed will depend on where you live.

As with everything, permits usually vary depending on which state you live in, or even your local council area.

The quickest way to find the answer you’re looking for is to contact your local council who have building departments that will assess your submission for a permit. Many councils also have a building officer in their Customer Service area which you can take in your building plans and seek their advice over the counter.

You will need to ask whether you are required to apply for planning permission for your new shed or building and if the answer is yes, they will be able to assist you with the next steps to get the process started.

What happens if I go ahead and build my new shed without approval?

While you might think that you’ll save yourself some time by erecting your new shed without contacting the relevant authority and seeking building approval, the opposite can be the case if you ignore this essential step.

Realise that a new shed is an investment and it can end in disaster if you build it on your property without the relevant approvals.

The Building Act 1993 (the Act) requires that building work must be subject to the issue of a building permit prior to that work commencing.

While many people decide to take the risk and build the structure without approval, this risky decision can come back to haunt you in the long term. For example, if you decide to sell your property and your local council’s plans don’t match your existing buildings, be prepared for a stressful time for yourself – and the potential buyer.

What if I’m not intending to sell my property?

Sometimes, accidents and unpredictable events happen.

Imagine if you didn’t have building approval for your shed and a fire or flood occurred, impacting your property.

While you know that your shed might have been there for some time, without approval, your local council won’t recognise the structure – meaning your insurance won’t cover you for any structural damage.

The risk for something to go wrong is wide and varied; with other potential problems such as structure failure, damage to the property or even someone suffering an injury all likely to be unprotected by an insurance agency if your shed does not have planning approval.

The easiest way to avoid any stress or future issues with the structure of your new shed is to get it right from the start and contact your local council to seek approval for your building permit.

The process might not be too difficult and you could end up saving yourself a small fortune – as well as the worry of the chance that something might go wrong.

Start the journey of your new shed off on the right shed by requesting a detailed plan from our experts.