A carport is an effective and affordable way to protect your vehicle from the elements. When building carports it’s important to remember that are both local council and Australian standards which you’ll need to meet to avoid any fines and hassle down the track. Let’s park ourselves and have a look at the carport regulations in Queensland.
What’s the difference between a carport building and a garage?
Before we dive into regulations, let’s just make sure we’re all on the same page about what a carport is. Though both serve the purpose of providing shelter to your car, the terms are not interchangeable and mean two very specific things.
A garage is fully enclosed, either as part of the existing house or as a separate building that has a door through which your vehicle can enter. When this door closes, a garage is completely inaccessible to the outside world.
A carport is a more open structure that can attach to existing building structures or be an entirely independent entity. A carport cannot be closed in the way a garage can and will always have at least two open areas. Though not as secure as a garage, carports are usually much more affordable and easier to put together.
Do I need council approval to build a carport in QLD?
It depends on your situation, but in many cases, a carport is what’s considered an accepted development according to the Brisbane city council building code. An accepted development is a structure that, provided it meets guidelines, doesn’t need council approval. This doesn’t mean you can go nuts and build whatever you want.
Whether you’ll need planning approval or development approval will depend on whether your carport fits within the parameters laid out in the Dwelling House Code or, for properties under 450m2 the Dwelling Code (Small Lots).
Other factors to consider
Along with council approval guidelines, you need to take on board:
- Any rules outlined in a neighbourhood plan or overlay
- If you have a heritage-listed house, you’ll have more restrictions.
- You want any type of exemption or are building a carport building that doesn’t conform to regulations?
What are the carport building regulations in QLD?
A carport is classified as a class 10a building, and in Queensland, you are typically allowed one carport per property (which may be a single or double carport). Class 10a buildings are non-inhabitable buildings such as sheds, private garages and, of course, carports.
Most common reasons you’ll need to submit a building application.
The most common reason you’ll need building approval is one of the following reasons.
- A structure is more than 10-metres in area
- A structure is more than 2.4 metres high
- Less than 1-metre boundary (like a fence or footpath)
- If a shed or carport will be attached to other infrastructure
What qualifies as an accepted development?
A big determining factor as to whether you’ll need approval is where you live. Providing your carport design meets all requirements, you don’t need anything in writing from the council if you live in the following zones:
- Environmental management zone
- Emerging community zone
- Rural zone
- Rural residential zone
- Township zone
A carport is considered an accepted development, subject to requirements if the property is located in the following zones:
- Low-density residential zone
- Low-medium density residential zone
- Medium-density residential zone
- Character residential zone
Setback from the property boundary
According to guidelines, the carport needs to be 6000mm from the front boundary and 1.5m from the side and rear boundary of your property.
Heritage buildings
If you live in a heritage building, you’ll likely be held to stricter conditioners as to the type of renovations you’re allowed to carry out, including the type of carport you can build.
A Dwelling house character overlay is a set of guidelines that applies to certain areas, especially those with homes built before 1948. Contact your local council if you’re unsure if your home falls under this classification.
Consider guidelines outside of the local council.
The local council aren’t the only body that may have a say on your carport. For example, if your area has a neighbourhood plan or any building covenants, this will affect what you’re able to do. Also keep in mind, all construction needs to adhere to the Building Code of Australia (BCA).
What is the carport building approval process?
The Queensland government provide a general four-step for any application for building approval that is as follows:
- Prepare building plans, structural engineering drawings, and anything that helps detail your proposed structure.
- Apply for building approval through your local council or government authority. Talking to someone from the respective body will help you find out the best way to apply.
- Building approval applications can take weeks, so be patient. Don’t start any construction until you know the result of the application.
The application process will differ slightly from district to district, so get in contact with your local council to ensure you know how they prefer to do things. This will greatly improve your chance of being successful with your application.
Things the council will take into consideration when assessing your application.
- Site location
- Your carport’s surroundings
- How close your structure is to adjoining properties
- Fire protection requirements
How do I ensure that my carport is compliant with QLD regulations?
Your best bet to ensure that your carport meets all legal requirements is to have a building inspector from your local council or a private building certifier come to have a look at it. If you’ve hired a reputable contractor you shouldn’t have any issues with unexpected violations.
How much will a building inspector cost?
The cost of a building inspector in Brisbane can range anywhere from $200 to over $1,300 depending on a wide range of factors. If you’re building a new home that includes a carport, the carport will be inspected as part of the overall home inspection. Some of these factors include:
- Where you’re located: Metropolitan properties tend to cost more than a place in rural areas.
- The size of your property: Larger properties naturally cost more to inspect.
- The structural complexity of your structure: Again, the more complicated your carport, the more expensive the inspection.
- Level of detail in the inspection.
Are there any exemptions to the carport building regulations in QLD?
Not all carports require council approval, however, this doesn’t mean you don’t have to follow building regulations. Exemption from having to get building approval is based on you meeting the guidelines outlined by your council.
If you’re planning to build a carport that requires an exemption (for example, it is larger than the maximum allowed size), you can apply with your council. The odds of you getting an exemption will depend on what you’re asking for and the strength of your reason for building your carport this way.
What are the consequences of not following the carport building regulations in QLD?
If you start building a carport that does not follow regulations, you can expect to be served a notice or fined. You’ll also be asked to fix your infringements or, in severe cases, be told to remove the carport completely. A carport costs thousands of dollars, and the last thing you want is to spend that money just to be told you need to take your carport down.
Our advice is it never hurts to double-check with your local council. Like all laws, ignorance won’t be taken as a valid excuse for not getting approval, so you might as well find out before you’ve started your carport rather than after.
Are there any other approvals that I need to consider?
Without knowing the specific details of your situation, it’s tough to gauge what approvals you may or may not need. However, here is a list of potential permits or approvals you may need:
- Building permit: This may be a requirement, depending on your situation. Any decent builder will be able to assess your situation and know whether this is necessary. They’ll also know how to get one.
- Driveway Permit: This is something you’ll need if you’re building a new driveway or changing your existing driveway.
- Construction approval: You’ll need this if your carport is going to exceed the bounds of council regulations, for example, if your carport is higher than 2.4m, wider than 5m, or has an overall area than 10m2.
Get free advice on carport building regulations & the approval process from an experienced building broker
Building a home is an exciting yet daunting task, but the great news is you don’t need to go it alone. Buildi is here to guide you throughout your building journey. From finding the best builder for your project to going into bat for you during all your dealings with contractors, Buildi is here for the client. We’ve saved our clients thousands of dollars, and stacks of time. Get in touch with us today to find out how we can help you.
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