MBRC Planning Scheme - Domestic outbuildings (sheds & carports)

Domestic outbuilding means a non-habitable class 10a building that is:

  1. a shed, garage or carport; and
  2. ancillary to a residential use carried out on the premises where the building is.

The advice provided in this information sheet relates to Domestic outbuildings, including all Class 10a buildings as defined in the Building Code of Australia.

Do I need Council approval?

A Domestic outbuilding (where a Dwelling house is already on the property) that is 50 squared metres or less may be accepted development. Refer to the information sheet about Accepted building work for detailed information about the circumstances when building work is accepted development.

If the Domestic outbuilding does not comply with the circumstances for being accepted development, it will be accepted development subject to requirements. Meaning, approval from Council is not required provided the building work complies with the requirements in the relevant code(s) in the planning scheme.

If the Domestic outbuilding does not comply with the requirements in the relevant code/s either of two things is required:

  • if the proposed Domestic outbuilding does not comply with the criteria in the Dwelling house code, a concurrence agency response will be required from Council;
    OR
  • if the proposed Domestic outbuilding does not comply with the criteria in the relevant zone code, a development application must be lodged with Council for approval.

Development approval will be required from Council if the Domestic outbuilding is located in the following zones, overlay maps or areas:

  • Centre zone
  • Community facilities zone - all precincts except for the Abbey precinct
  • Environmental management and conservation zone
  • Extractive industry zone
  • Industry zone
  • Limited development zone
  • Recreation and open space zone
  • Township zone - Centre, convenience and industry precincts
  • Overlay map - Coastal hazard (High risk and Medium risk storm tide inundation areas)
  • Overlay map - Coastal hazard (Erosion prone area)
  • Overlay map - Flood hazard (High risk and Medium risk flood hazard areas)
  • Drainage investigation area identified on Figures 8.2.2.1 to 8.2.2.10 of the Flood hazard overlay code

Planning Scheme requirements

The requirements for Domestic outbuildings vary depending on the zone and precinct of the property. These requirements are summarised below in two groups:

  • General Residential and Emerging Community zone requirements
  • Rural Residential, Rural, Emerging community and Township zone requirements

If the proposed Domestic outbuilding is located in an area of the property identified on an overlay map, the planning scheme requirements may be different. Overlay maps that may have additional requirements, or alter the below requirements, include but are not limited to Environmental areas, Bushfire hazard, Landslide hazard, Riparian and wetland setbacks, Flood hazard and Coastal hazard. These additional requirements are found in the relevant code under the ‘Values and constraints criteria’ and Part 8 Overlays and are summarised below.

General Residential and Emerging Community zone requirements

Requirements for Domestic outbuildings in the following zones and precincts are found in the Dwelling house code (section 9.3.1):

  • General residential zone (all precincts)
  • Emerging community zone - Transition precinct (developed lot)
  • Redcliffe Kippa-Ring local plan - Interim residential precinct
  • Caboolture West local plan - Urban living precinct (Next generation neighbourhood sub-precinct)

The Dwelling house code includes the following requirements for Domestic outbuildings in these zones and precincts:

Type Requirements (General Residential and Emerging Community zones)
Maximum roofed area*

The maximum roofed area varies depending on the size of the property/lot:

  • Size of lot is less than 600 squared metres - Maximum roofed area is 50 squared metres
  • Size of lot is 600 squared metres to 1000 squared metres - Maximum roofed area is 70 squared metres
  • Size of lot is >1000 squared metres to 2000 squared metres - Maximum roofed area is 80 squared metres
  • Size of lot is greater than 2000 squared metres - Maximum roofed area is 150 squared metres
Roofed area is defined in the planning scheme as “The area of the roof of each building or other structure as projected onto a horizontal plane”. Meaning the total combined roofed area of proposed and existing domestic outbuildings in the property.
Maximum building height

For a domestic outbuilding that is a carport and where located in front of the main building line - maximum of 3.3 metres and a mean height not exceeding 2.7 metres.

For all other instances, maximum of 4 metres and a mean height not exceeding 3.5 metres.
Setbacks
(location on the property)

Front setback - For a domestic outbuilding that is a carport - 5.4 metres (to outermost projection); or if the Dwelling house was built before 2005, not less than the setback to an existing lawfully constructed carport or garage on an adjoining lot having the same road frontage (where a lawfully constructed carport or garage is located on both sides, the lessor of the two is applicable), or 0.5 metres whichever is the greater.

For all other instances - 5.4 metres (to outermost projection) and located behind the main building line and not within the primary or secondary frontage or trafficable water body setbacks.

Side and rear setbacks - In accordance with the Queensland Development Code (QDC). The total combined length of structures built to the boundary may exceed 9m as prescribed in the QDC in some zones and precincts (refer to Tables 9.3.1.3 - 9.3.1.6 of the Dwelling house code for further information).

Setback to laneway - 0.5 metres (to outermost projection)

Setback to canal - 4.5 metres (to outermost projection)

Note - Greater setbacks may be required if the lot adjoins an environmental corridor or area (Refer to Overlay map information below or Values and constraints criteria in the Dwelling House code for details).
Site cover*

The maximum site cover* varies from 40% to 80% depending on the zone and precinct, the size of the property and the height of the building/s on the property. Refer to RAD5 of the Dwelling house code for site cover requirements.

* Site cover includes all components of the dwelling house, including existing and new/proposed site cover of the main dwelling house, domestic outbuildings and secondary dwelling. Site cover excludes eaves, sun shading devices, patios, balconies and other unenclosed structures.
Earthworks (outside of the external walls of the domestic outbuilding) Refer to RAD15 of the Dwelling house code for requirements relating to earthworks where outside of the external walls of a domestic outbuilding.

Non-compliance with the abovementioned provisions will require a concurrence agency response from Council.

Rural Residential, Rural, Emerging community and Township zone requirements

Requirements for Domestic outbuildings in the following zones and precincts are contained in the corresponding zone code:

The relevant codes for these zones and local plans include the following requirements for Domestic outbuildings:

Requirement (Rural Residential, Rural, Emerging community and Township zone)
Maximum roofed area*

The maximum total roofed area varies depending on the size of the property/lot:
Where located in the Emerging community zone - Interim precinct and Transition precinct where on a developable lot (unserviced lot), Township zone - Residential precinct and Caboolture West local plan - all precincts where on a developable lot (unserviced lot):

  • Size of lot is less than 600 squared metres - Maximum roofed area is 50 squared metres
  • Size of lot is 600 squared metres to 1000 squared metres - Maximum roofed area is 70 squared metres
  • Size of lot is greater than 1000 squared metres to 2000 squared metres - Maximum roofed area is 80 squared metres
  • Size of lot is greater than 2000 squared metres - Maximum roofed area is 150 squared metres

* Roofed area is defined in the planning scheme as “The area of the roof of each building or other structure as projected onto a horizontal plane”. Meaning the total combined roofed area of proposed and existing domestic outbuildings in the property.

There are no maximum GFA or roofed area requirements specified for the Rural zone.
Site cover

Where in the Rural residential zone and Caboolture West local plan - Rural living precinct the maximum total roofed area of all buildings (including domestic outbuilding) does not exceed:

  • Size of the lot is less than 1500 squared metres - Maximum 50% of the lot
  • Size of the lot is 1500 squared metres - 3000 squared metres - Maximum 750 squared metres
  • Size of the lot is greater than 3000 squared metres to 6000 squared metres - Maximum 25% of the lot
  • Size of the lot is greater than 6000 squared metres - Maximum 1500 squared metres

Where in the Township zone - Residential precinct site cover does not exceed 50%.

* Site cover includes all components of the dwelling house, including existing and new site cover of the main dwelling house, domestic outbuildings and secondary dwelling. Site cover excludes eaves, sun shading devices, patios, balconies and other unenclosed structures.
Maximum building height

4 metres, except in the following zones and precincts:

  • 4.5 metres in the Rural residential zone
  • 3.5 metres in the Rural zone - Hamlet precinct
  • 8.5 metres in the Rural zone - Other than the Hamlet precinct
  • 4.5 metres in the Caboolture West local plan - Rural living precinct
  • 4 metres and a mean height not exceeding 3.5 metres in the Township zone - Residential precinct.
Setbacks
(location on the property)		 The Domestic outbuilding is located behind the main building line and not within primary or secondary frontage setbacks;
AND
1. where there is a development footprint:
  • Located within the development footprint, where relevant (includes designated building pads, building envelopes, mandatory building areas and designated building areas);

OR

2. where there is no development footprint, setback requirements vary depending on the zone and precinct and the height of the building:
  • In the Rural residential zone and Caboolture West local plan - Rural living precinct:
    • road boundary - 6 metres
    • side or rear boundary - 1.5 metres if the height of the domestic outbuilding’s wall is 3 metres or less; 2 metres if the height of the domestic outbuilding’s wall is greater than 3 metres and up to 4.5 metres; 4 metres if the height of the domestic outbuilding’s wall is greater than 4.5 metres. 
  • In the Rural zone (other than in the Hamlet precinct):
    • road boundary - 6 metres
    • side boundary - 4.5 metres
    • rear boundary - 4.5 metres.
  • In the Rural zone - Hamlet precinct:
    • road boundary - 6 metres
    • side boundary - 1.5 metres for lots having 1,000 squared metres or less; OR 3 metres for lots greater than 1,000 squared metres
    • rear boundary - 4 metres.
  • In the Emerging community zone - Transition precinct  (developable lot) and Interim precinct :
    • road boundary - 6 metres
    • side boundary - 4.5 metres
    • rear boundary - 4.5 metres
  • In the Township zone - Residential precinct
    • road boundary
      • For a domestic outbuilding that is a carport that is open and not enclosed by walls, screens or the like - if the Dwelling house was built before 2005, not less than the setback to an existing lawfully constructed carport or garage on an adjoining lot having the same road frontage (where a lawfully constructed carport or garage is located on both sides, the lessor of the two is applicable), or 0.5 metres whichever is the greater
      • For all other domestic outbuildings - 5.4 metres and located behind the main building line and not within the primary or secondary frontage or trafficable water body setbacks
    • side boundary - 1.5 metres
    • rear boundary - 6 metres  

All of the above setbacks are calculated to the outermost projection of the building.

Note - Greater setbacks may be required by Overlay maps and associated values and constraints criteria, such as Infrastructure buffers, Environmental areas, Riparian and wetland setback, etc.
Sloping lot   Where the Domestic outbuilding is located on slopes between 10% and 15% the building must:
  • use split-level, multiple-slab, pier or pole construction;
  • avoid single-plane slabs and benching; and
  • ensure the height of any cut or fill, whether retained or not, does not exceed 900 millimetres. 
Associated vegetation clearing   The Domestic outbuilding does not require clearing or damage to a habitat tree.

Overlay maps requirements

The following additional requirements may apply if the Domestic outbuilding is located within the specified feature of an overlay map.

To find out if your property is affected by an overlay map, use My Property Look Up.

Overlay map and feature  Overlay and Value and constraint requirements for Domestic outbuildings  
Acid sulfate soils The building work does not involve:
  • excavation or removing more than 100 cubic metres of soil or sediment where below 5 metres AHD (Australian Height Datum AHD); or
  • filling of land of more than 500 cubic metres of material with an average depth of 0.5 metres or greater where below the 5m AHD. 
Coastal hazard overlay:
  • Erosion prone area
  • Balance coastal planning area
  • High risk storm tide inundation area
  • Medium risk storm tide inundation 

Detailed requirements apply.

For further advice see information sheets about Dwelling houses in Coastal hazard areas and Coastal hazard overlays.

The requirements can be found in the Coastal hazard overlay code in the planning scheme.
Environmental areas:
  • High value area
  • Value offset area
 The Domestic outbuilding is located in an area that is clear of native vegetation and suitable for building.  If no cleared area is available on the site:
  • In the Rural zone, Rural Residential zone and some land in the Emerging Community zone - the total cumulative area on the site that is cleared of native vegetation must not exceed 1,500 squared metres;

OR

  • In the General Residential zone and some land in the Emerging Community zone - clearing of native vegetation only occurs on lots less than 750 squared metres. Clearing native vegetation on lots 750 squared metres or greater requires approval from Council. 

No clearing of native vegetation is to occur within the Value Offset Area MLES - Waterway buffer or Value Offset Area MLES - Wetland buffer.

Some exceptions may apply - refer to the Environmental areas values and constraints criteria in the relevant code.
Extractive resources:
  • Extractive resources transport routes 
 The Domestic outbuilding is not located within the 100 metres wide transport route buffer.
Flood hazard overlay:
  • Balance flood planning area
  • High risk flood hazard area
  • Medium risk flood hazard area

Detailed requirements apply.

For further advice see information sheets about Dwelling houses in Flood hazard areas, Flood hazard overlay and Drainage investigation areas.

The requirements can be found in the Flood hazard overlay code in the planning scheme
Overland flow path

The Domestic outbuilding is not located in an overland flow path or does not impede the flow of flood waters through the site or worsen flood flows to other sites.

The Domestic outbuilding is not used for the storage of hazardous chemicals.
Heritage and landscape character:
  • Significant tree

The Domestic outbuilding does not result in the removal of or damage to any Significant tree identified on Overlay map- Heritage and landscape character and listed in Appendix 2 of Planning scheme policy - Heritage and landscape character.

The Domestic outbuilding is not located within 20 metres of the base of a significant tree.
Infrastructure buffers:
  • Wastewater treatment plant buffer
  • Bulk water supply infrastructure buffer
  • Gas pipeline buffer
  • Landfill site buffer
 The Domestic outbuilding is not located in a:
  • Wastewater treatment plant buffer; or
  • Bulk water supply infrastructure buffer; or
  • Gas pipeline buffer; or
  • Landfill site buffer.
Riparian and wetland setbacks:
  • Riparian waterways and drainage lines
  • Riparian and wetland setbacks
  • Wetlands
 The Domestic outbuilding is not located within:
  • 50 metres from top of bank for W1 waterway and drainage line; or
  • 30 metres from top of bank for W2 waterway and drainage line; or
  • 20 metres from top of bank for W3 waterway and drainage line; or
  • 100 metres from the edge of a Ramsar wetland, 50 metres from all other wetlands.
Scenic amenity:
  • Regionally significant (Hills)
 The Domestic outbuilding:
  • is located below the hill top or ridge line; and
  • goes across land contours and does not cut straight up slopes; and
  • does not result in batters or retaining walls greater than 1 metres in height; and
  • uses material colours listed in the relevant codes; and
  • is painted or finished such that reflectivity is less than 35%. 
Scenic amenity:
  • Locally important (Coast)

Fences and walls facing the coast are no higher than 1m. Where fences and walls are higher than 1m, they have 50% transparency.

Existing pine trees, palm trees, mature fig and cotton trees are retained.

Additional requirements if in the following zones and precincts: 

  • Emerging community zone - Interim precinct
  • Emerging community zone - Transition precinct (developable lot)
  • Rural residential zone
  • Rural zone
  • Caboolture West local plan - Rural living precinct
Bushfire hazard:
  • All potential bushfire intensity areas
  • Potential impact buffer
 The Domestic outbuilding is not located:
  • on a ridgeline; and
  • on land with a slope greater than 15% (see Overlay map - Landslide hazard for land having a slope greater than 15%); and
  • within 20 metres of classified vegetation or the distance required to achieve a bushfire attack level (BAL) at the building or roofed structure of no more than 29, whichever is the greater*; and
  • within 10 metres of low threat vegetation or the distance required to achieve a bushfire attack level (BAL) at the building or roofed structure of no more than 29, whichever is the greater*; and
  • within 10 metres of a fire fighting water supply extraction point.
* The meaning of the terms classified vegetation and low threat vegetation as well as the method of calculating the bushfire attack level (BAL) are as described in Australian Standard AS 3959. A building Certifier may be able to assist in this regard.
Landslide hazard:
  • Landslide hazard area (slope greater 15%)
 The building work does not involve:
  • earthworks exceeding 50 cubic metres; and
  • cut and fill having a height greater than 600 millimetres; and
  • any retaining wall having a height greater than 600 millimetres; and
  • redirecting or altering the existing flow of surface or groundwater.

Non-compliance with the abovementioned provisions will require a development application be lodged with Council for approval.

What if there is no dwelling house on the property? 

Where there is no dwelling house on the property, either an alternative definition would be applied from the planning scheme based on the intended use of the building or the development would be considered undefined. In both instances an assessable (Impact assessment) application will most likely be required.

It should be noted that for sheds ancillary to an approved Rural use (e.g. cropping, rural industry, intensive animal industry, etc.), the above information does not apply as the sheds are directly associated with the approved use onsite and not defined as a Domestic outbuilding.

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