Do I Need Council Approval for a New Carport, Deck or Patio in Brisbane?

If you're planning to build a carport, deck, or patio in Brisbane, you might be wondering whether you need council approval and, if so, where to start.

As a guide, if the structure you want to build exceeds 10 square meters and/or is 2.4 meters in height, then a building permit will be required, and that is for a structure attached to an existing building or a freestanding one.

Can I Build to the Boundary?

As a general rule, any new deck or patio should be located at least:

• 6 meters from the front of the boundary
• 1.5 meters from both the rear and side boundaries

For carports, you can build as close as 0.5 meters to the rear and side boundaries if all of the following conditions are met:

• The proposed height of the structure does not exceed 4.5 meters
• The combined length of all structures within the setback doesn't exceed 9 meters
• The structure is not closer than 1.5 meters to a window of an adjacent building
• The height of the structure is not over 4.5m, and
• The total length of all buildings or structures within the setback does not exceed 9m, and
• The structure is located no closer than 1.5m to a window of a neighbouring dwelling.

Keeping your design within the council guidelines ensures your plans can be considered "accepted development" and "self-assessed" by a registered certifier without having to send plans to the council for approval.

What if I want to Build Closer to the Boundary?

Decks and Patios can be built as close as 0.9 meters to the rear and side boundary, but only if the impacted neighbour has written acceptance of the proposed new structures.

If you need to build even closer than 0.9 meters, the National Construction Code requires a 60/60/60 fire-rated wall to be built between the new structure and the existing boundary. This is for fire separation purposes, except for open carports, which are exempt from this regulation.

It also depends on the specific zone and overlay of the property.

If you wish to build closer to the standard setback requirements, you can apply to the local council for a relaxation.

It's also important to know that this type of application usually comes with extra costs.

How We Can Help

BJ Carpentry & Renovations can help you design and apply for approvals for your new deck. We don't do the approvals or draw the plans ourselves, but we work closely with draftsmen, engineers, town planners, and private certifiers who can get everything done quickly and for a reasonable price.

Once you are happy with your final building plans and draft costings, they are submitted to a private certifier along with the required engineering documents. The certifier will perform the necessary searches on your property to identify any easements, development overlays, sewers, and stormwater pipes, and together, we will work out if any changes are required. The certifier will do a self-assessment in line with council building guidelines and be able to provide approval usually within 2-4 weeks without having to send them back and forth to the local council.

In some cases, particularly for properties in certain overlays or neighbourhood plan areas, a planning application to the Brisbane City Council may still be required.

Once you get approval, we can begin with the construction planning stage.

Note: The information we provide above will be used as a general guide for typical residential structures and within common residential zones. It's always best to be guided by a professional, such as a certifier or town planner, to ensure your specific design doesn't encroach on council guidelines.