Minor building projects

The following structures may be considered minor building projects, or what is known as 'accepted building works'. Before you start construction, use this information to determine if your structure needs building and/or planning approvals.

You will not need building or planning approvals if your structure meets all the criteria in both List 1 and List 2.

Note: Whether or not an approval is required, all building work must comply with relevant provisions of the Building Code of Australia, Queensland Development Code, Australian Standards, manufacturer’s requirements and industry standards. Building advice and approvals can be obtained from a private building certifier.

List 1: Minor building projects

Building work identified as accepted building works under the Redland City Plan, and accepted under Schedules 1 and 2 of the Building Regulations 2006.

(Mean Height = Wall Heights + Overall Height divided by 2)

Animal keeping

This refers to non-habitable structures, used for boarding, breeding or training of animals.

Plan area, including overhang, is not more than 10m2 and:

  • is no higher than 2.4m
  • has a mean average height of no more than 2.1m; and
  • any side is no longer than 5m.

Note: The roof stormwater must not cause a nuisance to adjoining properties.

Bali hut; thatched hut structure

This excludes structures with a raised timber floor (deck).

Plan area, including overhang, is no more than 10m2 and

  • is no higher than 2.4m
  • has a mean average height of no more than 2.1m; and
  • any side is no longer than 5m.

Note: The roof stormwater must not cause a nuisance to adjoining properties.

Communication structure (satellite dish, aerial, antenna)

This refers to non-load bearing structures and excludes commercial telecommunication facilities.

Structure is:

  • attached to a building or structure and is no more than 3.5m above the building or structure; or
  • detached from any building or structure and is no more than 10m above the device’s natural ground level; or
  • a satellite dish with a maximum diameter of 900mm.

Cubby house

Structure is no higher than 3m above natural ground level.

Note: The roof stormwater must not cause a nuisance to adjoining properties.

Deck (unroofed only)

Structure is no higher than 1m above the natural ground surface and:

  • plan area is no more than 10m2 in area
  • any side is no longer than 5m.

Fence

  • Fence has no retaining wall and is no higher than 2m above ground level; or
  • Retaining wall is associated with the new fence and wall height is no higher than 1m and the combined height of the fence and the wall is no higher than 2m;

and is not:

Flagpole

This refers to non-load bearing structures.

Structure is:

  • attached to a building or structure and no more than 3.5m above the building or structure; or
  • detached from any building or structure and no more than 10m above natural ground level.

Garden shed or lawn locker

Plan area, including overhang, is no more than 10m2 and:

  • is no higher than 2.4m
  • is a mean average height of no more than 2.1m; and
  • any side is no longer than 5m.

Note: The roof stormwater must not cause a nuisance to adjoining properties.

Gatehouses or arches

Plan area, including overhang, is no more than 10m2 and:

  • is no higher than 2.4m
  • has a mean average height of no more than 2.1m
  • any side is no longer than 5m
  • meets all criteria in the Queensland Development Code.

Gazebo

This excludes structures with a raised timber floor (deck).

Plan area, including overhang, is no more than 10m2 and:

  • is no higher than 2.4m
  • has a mean average height of no more than 2.1m; and
  • any side is no longer than 5m.

Note: The roof stormwater must not cause a nuisance to adjoining properties.

Pergola (unroofed)

This is defined as a non-weatherproof structure. It may have a covering of open weave porous material, such as shade cloth.

Plan area, including overhang, is no more than 10m2 and:

  • is no higher than 2.4m
  • has a mean average height of no more than 2.1m; and
  • any side is no longer than 5m.

Pergola or patio (roofed)

This excludes structures with a raised timber floor (deck).

Plan area, including overhang, is no more than 10m2 and:

  • is no higher than 2.4m
  • has a mean average height of no more than 2.1m; and
  • any side is no longer than 5m.

Note: The roof stormwater must not cause a nuisance to adjoining properties.

Rainwater tank (existing dwelling)

Plan area, including overhang, is no more than 10m2 and:

  • is no higher than 2.4m (including stand)
  • has a mean average height of no more than 2.1m; and
  • any side is no longer than 5m.

Note: The overflow must be to an approved outlet and not cause a nuisance to adjoining properties.

Retaining wall

Total height of the wall and the cut or fill is no more than 1m above the natural ground surface of the wall and:

  • the retaining wall is no closer than 1.5m to a building or another retaining wall; and
  • there is no surcharge loading over the zone of influence for the wall (refer to the Building Regulation 2006 for definition).

Note: Surface water must not cause ponding on site or to neighbouring properties.

Shade sail

Plan area, including overhang, is no more than 10m2 and:

  • is no higher than 2.4m
  • has a mean average height of no more than 2.1m; and
  • any side is no longer than 5m.

Solar panels

Solar panels are installed on the roof of a building and the maximum height of solar panels on the roof is no more than 8.5m from natural ground level.

List 2: Other approvals checklist

You can work through the following list to determine whether you need other approvals from Council:

  • Side, rear and front boundary setbacks and site cover meet the Queensland Development Code (domestic structures only) or the Redland City Plan (where an alternative provision applies).
  • For garden sheds, lawn lockers, communication structures, patios, shade sails and bali huts – planning approval may be required if the structure or building is located within an overlay area identified in the Redland City Plan. To check what overlays apply to your property:
    • go to Red-e-map
    • select Redland City Plan
    • select ‘Find’ in toolbar to search for property by address
    • click the blue hyperlink (land no.) to locate property
    • select ‘Report’ in the toolbar and dropdown Overlays arrow.
  • Proximity to underground infrastructure complies with the Queensland Development Code (MP1.4). See the information on building over or near relevant infrastructure.
  • Structure is not located over or within an easement or covenanted area. Consent from the registered holder of the easement/covenant will be required.
  • Structure is not located outside a designated building/development envelope (if applicable).
  • Structure is located above the maximum flood and storm tide level - refer to PD online for further information.
  • If your property is non-sewered, the following setbacks from disposal areas for all building works are recommended:
    • minimum of 2m for level land and downhill slopes (i.e. where trenching is downhill from structure)
    • minimum of 4m for up slopes (i.e. where trenching is uphill from the structure)
    • Council will only allow a reduced setback distance if approved by an approved Engineer.

For more information, refer to the accepted building works fact sheet(PDF, 330KB).

Contact us if you are unable to meet the above criteria or if you are unsure about whether your proposal complies with the criteria.

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