Shed permits

Small sheds that may be exempt

In Victoria, Schedule 3 of the Building Regulations 2018 exempts a small freestanding shed if it stays within the limits on floor area and height (lower again if it is close to a boundary), isn't built of masonry and sits no further forward than the front of the house. All the conditions have to be met.

In Queensland, the Building Regulation 2021 treats a small tool shed within set size and height limits as accepted building work, which doesn't need approval, except in a tropical cyclone area. Business Queensland's page on when you don't need building approval explains the conditions.

In both states, an exempt shed must still be structurally sound and meet the boundary rules. "No permit needed" is not the same as "no rules apply".

Sheds that need a permit

Anything bigger, taller, closer to the boundary than the exemption allows, or in a cyclone area in Queensland needs a building permit or building approval. That covers most garage-style sheds, workshops and sheds with a carport or awning attached. See the Victoria and Queensland pages for how the process works in your state.

Problems we see most often

Height near the fence. Sheds are usually tucked into a back corner. The closer to the fence, the lower the wall generally has to be. A shed with a high roof ridge near the boundary is a common reason for a failed check.

Too long along a boundary. Limits on the length of building along a boundary count everything on that boundary, including a garage or carport that is already there.

Easements. Back corners often carry drainage or sewer easements. Building over one needs the consent of the authority that owns it. See can I build over an easement?

Bushfire and flood areas. Some blocks have extra construction requirements. We check these for the address before lodging.

Already built without a permit. If the shed is already up, read building without a permit for the usual options.

Before you buy a shed

• Check the size against the exemption. If you are close to the small-shed limits, a slightly smaller shed may avoid a permit altogether.
• Measure to the fences. Note how close each wall will be to the boundary and the wall and roof height at that point.
• Check the title for easements. Back corners often carry drainage or sewer easements.
• Confirm the wind rating. Shed kits are engineered for wind classifications. Make sure yours matches your address, particularly in Queensland.
• Think about use. A shed used as a workshop, studio or sleeping space can be classified differently from a storage shed. Tell us how you plan to use it.

What to send us

The kit plans or quote, photos of where the shed will go, the site address and the supplier's engineering. If the shed is already built, photos of the finished shed help too.

Freestanding or attached?

A shed fixed to the house, or sharing a wall with a garage, is assessed differently from a freestanding shed. In Victoria the small-shed exemption only applies to freestanding sheds, and in Queensland a lean-to built against the house is rarely small enough to qualify. A lean-to or skillion shed built against the house usually needs a permit. If your shed will touch another building, tell us when you apply so the site plan and engineering cover the connection.

Cost and time

The package price for your state is shown on the Victoria and Queensland pages. Extra approvals are quoted before anything is lodged.

How we help

Run the free check to see whether your shed is likely to need a permit and whether it meets the boundary rules. If it needs a permit, we prepare the site plan, use the kit supplier's engineering and lodge the application with a licensed building surveyor or certifier.