Carports
You might not need planning approval to build a carport, if it meets the standards to be an exempt development.
State policy identifies the specific standards for a carport development to be exempt from planning consent:
- It cannot be constructed on land:
- in a foreshore area
- on or in a heritage item
- on or in draft heritage item.
- If on bushfire prone land, carports must be constructed of non-combustible materials if within 5 metres of a house.
- If in a heritage conservation area (or draft conservation areas), the carport must be in the rear yard.
- Carports must be at least 1 metre behind the building line, facing any road.
More than one carport on a lot
If a lot has one house, only one carport is permitted. Where there is a primary and secondary dwelling, two carports may be allowed on the lot.
See the full development standards that a carport must meet to be exempt development in the State Policy.
Other considerations
- Find out if you are on a bushfire prone land using the Find a Property tool via the Planning Portal homepage.
- Before removing or pruning any existing trees or vegetation, check with your council whether you need approval.
- All works must be structurally adequate, installed in accordance with manufacturer’s specifications and comply with the Building Code of Australia (BCA).
- Any structure on or over public land or roads must have approval specifically from the local council or Transport for NSW under the Roads Act 1993 and the Local Government Act 1993.
- Generally, exempt development cannot be carried out on:
- land or a building that is listed on the State Heritage Register or subject to an interim heritage order.
- a critical habitat of an endangered species, population or ecological community under the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 or the Fisheries Management Act 1994.
- a wilderness area under the Wilderness Act 1987.