Sheds and Outbuildings

What is a residential shed – Outbuilding?

The Residential Design Codes (R-Codes) is a State Planning document that applies development controls over all residential developments in Western Australia, including outbuildings.

The R-Codes define an outbuilding as:

  • ‘An unenclosed non-habitable structure that is detached from any dwelling.’ This includes sheds and garages that are not attached to the main dwelling.

For applicable R-codes please refer to the fact sheet at the bottom of the page.

Do I need Planning approval?

For a Shed or Outbuildings on a residential property planning approval is required as follows.

  1. YES: A Shed or outbuilding is proposed on a vacant lot with NO existing single house.
  2. Yes: A Shed or outbuilding is results in a variation from the above provisions.
  3. YES: A Shed or outbuildings is part of a grouped dwellings development or caravan parks will require a development (planning) application.
  4. YES: A Shed or outbuildings is part of a commercial or industrial.
  5. YES: is a sea-container to be used as a shed.
  6. NO: Where the site is (1) zoned residential, and (2) has an existing single house on the site and (3) the proposed shed / outbuilding complies with the above R-Codes size and setback provisions.

    For more information refer to the Shire’s Planning Application Requirements page.

    Will I need a Building permit?

    1. YES: A building permit is required when the shed/outbuilding i:-
      1. built from
      2. Is attached to a
      3. Is more than 10m
      4. Is more than 4metres in height,
    1. NO: A building permit is not required when the outbuilding complies with all the following:
    • The structure is
    • The structure is less than 10m²;
    • The structure is less than 4 meters in height, and
    • The structure is installed as per the manufacturer

    For more information refer to the Shire’s Building Permit Requirements page.

    Site details

    Information on your property, lot sizes, dimensions and recent aerial imagery is available from:-

    Related Links

    FACTSHEET - Residential Sheds and Outbuildings