Approvals

Here are some links to government guidelines for certain areas – we’re adding to this list all the time:

Under current NSW legislation, minor backyard developments (cabanas, cubby houses, ferneries, garden sheds, gazebos, greenhouses) can be allowed without the hassle and expense of applying for local council approval providing certain regulations are satisfied.

Cabanas, cubby houses, ferneries, garden sheds, gazebos and greenhouses are the types of freestanding backyard structures which can qualify for exemption from council approval processes in NSW. Backyard pods, backyard cabins, backyard studios, etc can be classified as “cabanas” or “sheds” and therefore pre-approved for development in residential and rural areas providing legislation is met. Some basic rules below:

Backyard pods of up to 3m x 6m or 3.6 x 5m can qualify as an exempt development in residential areas because of features such as the low structural profile, non-reflective and non-combustible Colorbond corrugated-profile exterior walling, and inclusion of a proper guttering system to allow for the environmentally-friendly collection of excess roofwater in a rainwater tank, or stormwater disposal.

If you’re in NSW, review Section 9 of the State Environmental Planning Policy (Exempt and Complying Development Codes) 2008 legislation with reference to your specific situation.

We simply supply backyard pod kits according to the purchaser’s instructions. It is ultimately your responsibility to ensure your plans for development and your intentions for use are either exempt or compliant with guidelines as specific to your proposed site and any regulations affecting your local area.

The rules for exempt development of cabanas, cubby houses, ferneries, garden sheds, gazebos and greenhouses on rural-zoned properties are essentially the same as the rules for residential-zoned properties, the two major differences being:

Backyard pods up to the maximum available sizes of 3m x 10m or 3.6 x 10m can qualify as an exempt development in rural areas because of features such as the low structural profile, non-reflective and non-combustible Colorbond corrugated-profile exterior walling, and inclusion of a proper guttering system to allow for the environmentally-friendly collection of excess roofwater in a rainwater tank, or channeling into larger rainwater storage tanks.

If you’re in NSW, review Section 9 of the State Environmental Planning Policy (Exempt and Complying Development Codes) 2008 legislation with reference to your specific situation.

We simply supply backyard pod kits according to purchaser instructions. It is ultimately your responsibility to ensure your plans for development and your intentions for use are either exempt or compliant with guidelines as specific to your proposed site and any regulations affecting your local area.

In general, the regulations surrounding granny flat developments in Queensland tend to be more relaxed than in New South Wales. For example, read the Brisbane City Council granny flat fact sheet.

The rules for granny flats on the Gold Coast are not the same as in Brisbane. Read the Gold Coast building regulations for secondary dwellings.