Minor residential development

Lighting

You do not require Development (Planning) Approval or a Building Permit to install lighting on your property. 

However, when planning outdoor lighting for your property, careful placement is crucial to ensure it doesn't intrude on adjacent properties or public areas. Adherence to AS4282-2019, "Control of the Obtrusive Effects of Outdoor Lighting," is essential, though please note this standard is not provided by the City.

Intrusive lighting can negatively affect neighbouring properties, causing annoyance, distraction, and discomfort. To mitigate these effects, consider the following:

• Necessity and placement: Assess whether the lighting is essential for the intended location or if there's a less intrusive spot on your property.
• Direction: Aim outdoor lights downwards towards the specific area you want to illuminate, reducing the potential for light spill.
• Shielding: Use shielded lights to focus illumination on the target area more effectively.
• Height considerations: Installing lights at a higher position can minimize light spill, but ensure they are not overly intrusive from a distance.
• Illumination levels: The intensity of the light should be proportionate to the area being lit to avoid excessive brightness.

By following these guidelines, you can enjoy the benefits of outdoor lighting while minimizing its impact on your surroundings.

Rainwater tanks

• Non-residential properties: Approval is required if it is located externally to any building.
• Residential properties: Approval is not generally required, provided the tank is located to the rear or side of the dwelling and/or is not visible from the primary street.

Solar panels

• Single house and grouped dwellings: Does not require approval.
• Multiple dwellings or commercial buildings: Approval is required where they are not parallel to the angle of the roof.

Cubby houses

A development (planning) application is not required when:

• The cubbyhouse is not erected or installed in the street setback area of a building.
• The floor of the cubbyhouse is no more than 1m above the natural ground level.
• The wall height of the cubbyhouse is no more than 2.4m above the natural ground level.
• The building height of the cubbyhouse is no more than 3m above the natural ground level.
• The area of the floor of the cubbyhouse is no more than 10m².
• The cubbyhouse is not erected or installed within 1m of more than one boundary of the lot.

Sea Containers

The temporary use of a sea container is only allowed in the following circumstances:

• The sea container is only used in conjunction with building construction or subdivision work that is occurring or approved to occur on the subject site, and only up to a maximum of 12 months.
• The sea container is only used for the loading or unloading of goods that is occurring on the subject site and only up to a maximum of 7 days.
• The sea container is positioned so as not to obscure vehicle sightlines.
• A formal request is received, and a letter issued from the City approving the temporary use of the sea container, and its period of use, in accordance with the provisions of cl. 61(2)(f) of the Planning and Development (Local Planning Schemes) Regulations 2015.
• The sea container shall not be used for commercial or industrial purposes. 

The temporary use of sea containers is assessed as a Written Planning Advice application.

For detailed information, refer to the Requirements for planning applications page. 

Important note: Does not apply if the sea container is in place for less than 48 hours (in accordance with clause 61(2)(f) of the Planning and Development (Local Planning Schemes) Regulations 2015).

Permanent use of a sea container is required to undergo a formal development (planning) approval assessment. The criterion for this assessment is outlined in the Minor Residential Development Local Planning Policy.

If your project does not comply with the requirements set out in Step 1 above, you will need to apply for Development (Planning) Approval. This requires submitting an application form, along with building plans and a cover letter. Application fees will apply.

For detailed information, refer to the Requirements for Planning Applications.

Lighting

You do not require a Building Permit to install lighting on your property.

Rainwater tanks

A rainwater tank does not require a Building Permit if the tank:

• Is a small proprietary type of steel or fibre glass material with a height of no more than a standard fence height e.g. 1.8 metres.
• The tank is less than 5,000 litres capacity.
• The base of the tank is to be located directly on the ground or supported by a manufacture designed tank stand not exceeding 300mm in height.

For all other sizes, a Building Permit is required.

Solar panels

• Single house and grouped dwellings: The installation of solar panels on a single house and grouped dwellings do not require a building permit.
• Multiple dwellings or commercial buildings: A building permit is required for all solar panels on a multiple dwelling or commercial building.

Cubby houses

You do not require a Building Permit to install a cubby house on your property.

Sea containers

It would depend on the use of the sea container whether a Building Permit is required. Contact the City's Building Approvals for further information.

If your project requires building approval, you have two options when applying for a Building Permit:

• Certified application: Lodge a BA1 form, accompanied by a Certificate of Design Compliance (BA3 form) signed by a registered building surveyor, confirming compliance with building standards.
• Uncertified application: Lodge a BA2 form. 

You can download BA1 and BA2 forms from the Department of Energy, Mines, Industry, Regulation and Safety website. 

For more detailed information, including the application form, checklist, assessment process, and fees can be found on the Requirements for Building Applications page.