Shed Planning Guide

What is Planning / Development Approval?

In its most basic terms, Planning is going to a Shire and asking, “Can I build this shed in this location?” It is a process in which you communicate with your Shire to see what you are allowed to build.

When do I need Planning?

Each Shire can have different regulations in regards to what is allowed for outbuildings (sheds). If features of your shed surpass the rules laid out for your area, you will need to request Planning Approval. Examples of this are:

• Proposed shed is too close to the boundary.
• Proposed shed has exceeded the maximum Square Metres allowed for floor area.
• The walls or apex of the proposed shed are higher than what is allowed.

How do I speak to my Shire about Planning Approval?

You can email, ring, or go in person to the Shire Offices to ask about your proposed shed. Ask for the Planning Department. Planning and Building are generally separate departments and the two can get confused quite easily during conversation.

If you’re unsure of what size you want, think about what the shed will be used for and what will be going inside; what are the height and width clearances required for the walls, roof or doors? What is the usable space you have on your property (or the property you are looking to buy), and the general size of the shed you would like to build?

What to prepare

Have this list of questions ready:

• What is the maximum size shed I am allowed to have on the property? (They should give you floor area, height to the eaves/gutters and apex/peak)
• Are there any required setbacks from the boundaries?
• Are there any other requirements?
• Is there anything else I should know?

Having these questions handy helps to guide the process. You may also have a few more questions, feel free to add them to the list.

How to submit a Planning Application

If your shed does not adhere to the guidelines, you must submit your shed proposal to the Shire so that they can approve and/or change things to get it to a point where it will be approved.

Submitting a shed proposal is easy and generally requires you to hand in 3 things:

• Elevations of your proposed shed. These are the drawings that show the shed dimensions.
• A Basic Site Plan. These are the drawings that show where the proposed shed is located on your property in relation to the boundaries and existing buildings.
• Any fees required.

Depending on your property, you may also be required to provide other things such as neighbour approval. You can clarify if you need to hand in extra information when you first ask about the shed or anytime after while you are preparing your documents.

If your proposed shed is within the regulations set out by the Shire, you can proceed to the Building Application. Please see our Building Application Guide.

How does this process relate to my quote with Roys Sheds?

You can communicate with your Shire at any point during the quoting process to clarify what you can or can’t do with your shed, though it is helpful to know ahead of time.

Based off our quote, we can supply Elevations and a Basic Site Plan if you need them to submit to Shire. If the Shire rejects your submission, we will work with you to change your quote to suit their requirements for an approval.

Things to be aware of

A lot of the Perth region is designated as a Bushfire Zone. If your property is within, or even partially within this designation, then you may need to get a BAL (Bushfire Attack Level) Assessment.

The Assessment is not technically needed until you file for a Building Permit, but it is good to know ahead of time if you are going to need one so that you can plan your shed accordingly as bushfire-proofing your shed can add a lot of additional costs.

As a general rule, if the proposed shed is located 6m or more from your house, or any other habitable structure, then it is exempt from bushfire-proofing. Always check with your Shire. You can also look up your property on this DFES map to see if it falls inside a Bushfire Zone: Map of Bushfire Prone Areas