How big a shed can you build without council approval? Limits by state
Short answer
It depends on your state. In NSW a garden shed can be up to 20 m² (50 m² in some rural zones) and 3 m high without approval. In Victoria and Queensland the limit is 10 m², and in Western Australia 10 m² and 2.4 m high. Every state adds boundary setbacks and other conditions, and heritage, bushfire or cyclone rules can override them — check with your council first.
“You can build any shed under 10 square metres without approval” is repeated so often it sounds like law. It isn’t — the limit is different in every state, and it’s never the only condition.
Limits by state
| State | Max floor area | Other key conditions |
|---|---|---|
| NSW | 20 m² (50 m² in rural zones RU1–4, RU6, R5) | No more than 3 m high; at least 900 mm from boundaries (5 m in those rural zones); behind the building line; at least 1 m from registered easements; not habitable; not a shipping container |
| VIC | Under 10 m² (freestanding) | Height and siting limits apply; a planning permit can still be needed under an overlay |
| QLD | 10 m² | Not in a tropical cyclone area; council siting and boundary-clearance rules still apply |
| WA | 10 m² | No more than 2.4 m high |
| SA | Check with your council | We couldn’t confirm SA’s limits from an official source |
What still applies to an exempt shed
- Setbacks and position: even exempt sheds usually can’t sit in front of the house or hard against the boundary.
- Overlays: heritage, bushfire, flood and easement restrictions can cancel the exemption.
- Cyclone areas: in Queensland, the 10 m² exemption doesn’t apply in tropical cyclone areas, where wind loads are the whole point of approval.
- Structure: the shed still has to be built properly and tied down to suit your wind region — follow the kit’s engineering, including the slab or footing details.
- Use: a garden shed can’t be lived in. Turning it into a studio or granny flat is a different approval altogether.
Before you buy the kit
- Measure your site and mark the setbacks from each boundary.
- Check your council’s planning certificate or map for overlays.
- Check the kit’s footprint — some advertised sizes are roof dimensions, not floor area.
- Plan the base: most kits need a concrete slab or a specific footing system. Check the kit’s instructions for your wind region.
For decks, fences, retaining walls and pergolas, see do you need council approval? The state-by-state guide.
Sources
Every rule on this page is taken from these official sources. If a rule has changed, please tell us and we’ll fix it.
This guide is general information, not legal or professional advice. Rules differ between states, councils and individual properties, and they change. Confirm with your state regulator or council before starting work, and if in doubt, get a licensed tradesperson.