Sheds

Overlays

Check your address on Development.i Site Report to confirm any overlays that may affect construction of your shed.  If you have overlays mapped on your property, you should contact Council to determine if you need to make an application.

Height and floor area

Where located on a lot in a residential zone, your shed must:

• not exceed a height of 3.6 metres; and
• have a total floor area that does not exceed 56m².

Excavation or fill

You may require a building work approval if your shed involves excavation and/or fill exceeding a depth of:

• one metre, or
• 200mm within 1.5m of a boundary

Location

In a residential zone, your shed must be setback:

• at least 6 metres from any road frontage property boundary, and
• from side and rear boundaries in accordance with the requirements of the relevant Queensland Development Code:
• MP 1.1 - Design and siting standard for single detached housing on lots under 450 m²
• MP 1.2 - Design and siting standard for single detached housing on lots 450 m² and over     

When considering the location of your shed, it must be clear of underground services and Council infrastructure like sewage, water, power and storm water drains. Building work over or near council infrastructure must be assessed against Queensland Development code MP 1.4.

Sheds that do not meet the siting requirements for a class 10a non-habitable building

You will need to lodge a Building Work application with a private building certifier. This application includes a concurrence agency referral to Council. Council assess and provide a response to the variation of siting requirements. The private building certifier is the assessment manager who decides the Building Work application.

Where located on a lot in a rural or rural residential zone, your shed must meet the requirements of any applicable overlay codes.  For domestic outbuildings, these requirements may include:

• a maximum building height of 8.5 m.
• separation from waterways and native vegetation areas
• avoiding cut and fill outside the building footprint
• not interfering with overland flow paths or flood hazard areas

If you have overlays on your property, it is recommended that you contact Council to determine if you need to make an application.

The Dwelling House Code includes specific setback requirements for sheds in the rural and rural residential zones. 

A domestic outbuilding is a Class 10a building, ancillary to a residential use on the same premises and is limited to non-habitable buildings for the purpose of a shed, garage or carport. Commercial, industrial and rural industry sheds are not domestic outbuildings.

Sheds that do not meet the siting requirements for a class 10a non-habitable building

You will need to lodge a Building Work application with a private building certifier. This application includes  a concurrence agency referral to Council. Council assess and provide a response to the variation to setback requirements. The private building certifier is the assessment manager who decides the Building Work application.

You need to ensure that your shed will comply with the Building Code of Australia. This includes the requirements for structural adequacy, fire separation, roof water disposal, tie down and bracing. You must comply with all relevant codes and standards, whether or not your shed requires a development approval for building work.

Please contact your building certifier if you have any questions about the Building Code of Australia requirements. Your private building certifier will ensure relevant laws, codes and standards are met as part of your Building Work approval.

The specifications of any DIY shed kits should include the Australian Standards the product meets.

A domestic outbuilding is a Class 10a building, ancillary to a residential use on the same premises and is limited to non-habitable buildings for the purpose of a shed, garage or carport. Commercial, industrial and rural industry sheds are not domestic outbuildings.

For sheds that are not a domestic outbuilding in association to a dwelling house, refer to the Sunshine Coast Planning Scheme 2014 for:

• low impact industry use
• rural industry use
• rural use

Get help with the Planning Scheme.

Temporary home

In certain circumstances council may allow the temporary use of a class 10a non-habitable shed for habitable purposes, for example whilst building a new dwelling house.

Please contact your building certifier if you have any questions about using a shed as a temporary home. Your private building certifier will ensure relevant laws, codes and standards are met as part of your Building Work approval.

Read more about Temporary homes

Converting a shed to a habitable building

Class 10a sheds are not designed for normal domestic habitable activities, but you can apply to change the use to a habitable building through a private building certifier.

You need a building approval from a private certifier to change the use of class 10a non-habitable buildings to class 1 habitable buildings. Not all Class 10a buildings may be suitable to be converted into a Class 1a dwelling. Your certifier can advise you on development and plumbing approval requirements.