Sheds, carports and garages in Cairns — do you need approval?
Cairns Regional Council's planning scheme — the CairnsPlan 2016 — decides whether a shed, carport or garage needs a development application, and the answer depends on the zone your property is in. Below is what its table of assessment says for each zone; or check your own address.
In a low density residential zone
Accepted if you meet the requirements. A shed or carport in the Low density residential zone needs no planning development application if it meets the listed code requirements for accepted development (otherwise it is code assessable); a building approval is still needed.
I don't know my zone — choose my council instead
The zone is on your rates notice, or a Landbrief site report will find it for you.
Zone by zone
Building work (a domestic outbuilding). Residential zones first.
| Zone | What the table says | Conditions | What you'll need |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low density residential zone | Accepted if you meet the requirements Table 5.5.h | if it meets the acceptable outcomes listed as requirements for accepted development in the ticked codesIf not met: a development application with code assessment. | Building approval (private certifier)Assessed against: Dwelling house code, Applicable overlay codes (where the overlay is mapped on the lot) |
| Low-medium density residential zone | Accepted if you meet the requirements Table 5.5.j | if it meets the acceptable outcomes listed as requirements for accepted development in the ticked codesIf not met: a development application with code assessment. | Building approval (private certifier)Assessed against: Dwelling house code, Applicable overlay codes (where the overlay is mapped on the lot) |
| Medium density residential zone | Accepted if you meet the requirements Table 5.5.l | if it meets the acceptable outcomes listed as requirements for accepted development in the ticked codesIf not met: a development application with code assessment. | Building approval (private certifier)Assessed against: Dwelling house code, Applicable overlay codes (where the overlay is mapped on the lot) |
| Tourist accommodation zone | Accepted if you meet the requirements Table 5.5.x.1 / 5.5.x.2 | if it meets the acceptable outcomes listed as requirements for accepted development in the ticked codesIf not met: a development application with code assessment. | Building approval (private certifier)Assessed against: Dwelling house code |
| Rural residential zone | Accepted if you meet the requirements Table 5.5.r | if it meets the acceptable outcomes listed as requirements for accepted development in the ticked codesIf not met: a development application with code assessment. | Building approval (private certifier)Assessed against: Dwelling house code |
| Township zone | Accepted if you meet the requirements Table 5.5.y | if it meets the acceptable outcomes listed as requirements for accepted development in the ticked codesIf not met: a development application with code assessment. | Building approval (private certifier)Assessed against: Township zone code, Excavation and filling code, Infrastructure works code, Applicable overlay codes (where the overlay is mapped on the lot) |
| Emerging community zone | Accepted if you meet the requirements Table 5.5.d | if it meets the acceptable outcomes listed as requirements for accepted development in the ticked codesIf not met: a development application with code assessment. | Building approval (private certifier)Assessed against: Emerging community zone code, Excavation and filling code, Infrastructure works code, Applicable overlay codes (where the overlay is mapped on the lot) |
| Community facilities zone | Accepted if you meet the requirements Table 5.5.a | if it meets the acceptable outcomes listed as requirements for accepted development in the ticked codesIf not met: a development application with code assessment. | Building approval (private certifier)Assessed against: Community facilities zone code, Excavation and filling code, Infrastructure works code, Applicable overlay codes (where the overlay is mapped on the lot) |
| Conservation zone | Needs a development application (code assessment) Table 5.5.b | Building work in the Conservation zone, including a shed or carport, needs a code assessable development application under the planning scheme, as well as a building approval. | Building approval (private certifier)Assessed against: Conservation zone code, Applicable local plan codes (where a local plan applies), Excavation and filling code, Infrastructure works code, Applicable overlay codes (where the overlay is mapped on the lot) |
| District centre zone | Accepted if you meet the requirements Table 5.5.c | if it meets the acceptable outcomes listed as requirements for accepted development in the ticked codesIf not met: a development application with code assessment. | Building approval (private certifier)Assessed against: District centre zone code, Excavation and filling code, Infrastructure works code, Applicable overlay codes (where the overlay is mapped on the lot) |
| Environmental management zone | Accepted if you meet the requirements Table 5.5.e.1 / 5.5.e.2 / 5.5.e.3 | if it meets the acceptable outcomes listed as requirements for accepted development in the ticked codesIf not met: a development application with code assessment. | Building approval (private certifier)Assessed against: Environmental management zone code, Excavation and filling code, Infrastructure works code, Applicable overlay codes (where the overlay is mapped on the lot) |
| High impact industry zone | Accepted if you meet the requirements Table 5.5.f | if it meets the acceptable outcomes listed as requirements for accepted development in the ticked codesIf not met: a development application with code assessment. | Building approval (private certifier)Assessed against: High impact industry zone code, Excavation and filling code, Industry design code, Infrastructure works code, Applicable overlay codes (where the overlay is mapped on the lot) |
| Local centre zone | Accepted if you meet the requirements Table 5.5.g | if it meets the acceptable outcomes listed as requirements for accepted development in the ticked codesIf not met: a development application with code assessment. | Building approval (private certifier)Assessed against: Local centre zone code, Excavation and filling code, Infrastructure works code, Applicable overlay codes (where the overlay is mapped on the lot) |
| Low impact industry zone | Accepted if you meet the requirements Table 5.5.i | if it meets the acceptable outcomes listed as requirements for accepted development in the ticked codesIf not met: a development application with code assessment. | Building approval (private certifier)Assessed against: Low impact industry zone code, Excavation and filling code, Industry design code, Infrastructure works code, Applicable overlay codes (where the overlay is mapped on the lot) |
| Major centre zone | Accepted if you meet the requirements Table 5.5.k | if it meets the acceptable outcomes listed as requirements for accepted development in the ticked codesIf not met: a development application with code assessment. | Building approval (private certifier)Assessed against: Major centre zone code, Excavation and filling code, Infrastructure works code, Applicable overlay codes (where the overlay is mapped on the lot) |
| Medium impact industry zone | Accepted if you meet the requirements Table 5.5.m | if it meets the acceptable outcomes listed as requirements for accepted development in the ticked codesIf not met: a development application with code assessment. | Building approval (private certifier)Assessed against: Medium impact industry zone code, Excavation and filling code, Industry design code, Infrastructure works code, Applicable overlay codes (where the overlay is mapped on the lot) |
| Mixed use zone | Accepted if you meet the requirements Table 5.5.n.1 / 5.5.n.2 / 5.5.n.3 | if it meets the acceptable outcomes listed as requirements for accepted development in the ticked codesIf not met: a development application with code assessment. | Building approval (private certifier)Assessed against: Mixed use zone code, Excavation and filling code, Infrastructure works code, Applicable overlay codes (where the overlay is mapped on the lot) |
| Neighbourhood centre zone | Accepted if you meet the requirements Table 5.5.o | if it meets the acceptable outcomes listed as requirements for accepted development in the ticked codesIf not met: a development application with code assessment. | Building approval (private certifier)Assessed against: Neighbourhood centre zone code, Excavation and filling code, Infrastructure works code, Applicable overlay codes (where the overlay is mapped on the lot) |
| Open space zone | Accepted if you meet the requirements Table 5.5.p | if it meets the acceptable outcomes listed as requirements for accepted development in the ticked codesIf not met: a development application with code assessment. | Building approval (private certifier)Assessed against: Open space zone code, Excavation and filling code, Infrastructure works code, Applicable overlay codes (where the overlay is mapped on the lot) |
| Principal centre zone | Accepted if you meet the requirements Table 5.5.q | if it meets the acceptable outcomes listed as requirements for accepted development in the ticked codesIf not met: a development application with code assessment. | Building approval (private certifier)Assessed against: Principal centre zone code, Excavation and filling code, Infrastructure works code, Applicable overlay codes (where the overlay is mapped on the lot) |
| Rural zone | Accepted if you meet the requirements Table 5.5.s | if it meets the acceptable outcomes listed as requirements for accepted development in the ticked codesIf not met: a development application with code assessment. | Building approval (private certifier)Assessed against: Rural zone code, Excavation and filling code, Infrastructure works code, Applicable overlay codes (where the overlay is mapped on the lot) |
| Special purpose zone | Accepted if you meet the requirements Table 5.5.t.1 | if it meets the acceptable outcomes listed as requirements for accepted development in the ticked codesIf not met: a development application with code assessment. | Building approval (private certifier)Assessed against: Special purpose zone code, Applicable overlay codes (where the overlay is mapped on the lot) |
| Specialised centre zone | Accepted if you meet the requirements Table 5.5.u.1 / 5.5.u.2 / 5.5.u.3 | if it meets the acceptable outcomes listed as requirements for accepted development in the ticked codesIf not met: a development application with code assessment. | Building approval (private certifier)Assessed against: Specialised centre zone code, Excavation and filling code, Infrastructure works code, Applicable overlay codes (where the overlay is mapped on the lot) |
| Sport and recreation zone | Accepted if you meet the requirements Table 5.5.v | if it meets the acceptable outcomes listed as requirements for accepted development in the ticked codesIf not met: a development application with code assessment. | Building approval (private certifier)Assessed against: Sport and recreation zone code, Excavation and filling code, Infrastructure works code, Applicable overlay codes (where the overlay is mapped on the lot) |
| Tourism zone | Accepted if you meet the requirements Table 5.5.w | if it meets the acceptable outcomes listed as requirements for accepted development in the ticked codesIf not met: a development application with code assessment. | Building approval (private certifier)Assessed against: Tourism zone code, Excavation and filling code, Infrastructure works code, Applicable overlay codes (where the overlay is mapped on the lot) |
| Waterfront and marine industry zone | Accepted if you meet the requirements Table 5.5.z | if it meets the acceptable outcomes listed as requirements for accepted development in the ticked codesIf not met: a development application with code assessment. | Building approval (private certifier)Assessed against: Waterfront and marine industry zone code, Excavation and filling code, Industry design code, Infrastructure works code, Applicable overlay codes (where the overlay is mapped on the lot) |
Overlays that change the answer
- Extractive resources overlay. In a Key resource area's resource / processing area a dwelling house (including a granny flat), dual occupancy, multiple dwelling, home based business or building work becomes impact assessable; in a separation area or transport route separation area building work and a home based business become code assessable (in some zones the tables make any use in the overlay impact assessable). (Tables 5.5.a, b, d, e.1, e.2, h, j, p, s, t.1, t.2 (IF within the Extractive resources overlay rows))
- Neighbourhood character place — Area B (Schedule 1). Building work (including minor building work on a site with an existing house, dual occupancy or multiple dwelling) within Area B of a neighbourhood character place becomes code assessable. (Tables 5.5.a, b, c, e.1, e.2, g, h, j, l, n.1, n.3, o, p, t.1, v (building work rows))
- Places of significance overlay. Building work (other than internal work that doesn't materially affect the place's cultural significance), and a use involving such building work, becomes code assessable; removal or demolition becomes impact assessable; vegetation damage becomes code assessable. (Building work, operational work and use rows in most zone tables (Tables 5.5.a–5.5.z))
Worth knowing in Cairns
CairnsPlan 2016 (Version 3.1), Part 5. Each zone (or zone precinct) has one table covering material change of use, reconfiguring a lot, operational work and building work; overlays change the category through 'IF within the … overlay' rows inside those tables, and where several IF rows apply the highest category wins (section 5.2(10)). Defaults (section 5.3): a material change of use is impact assessable unless the table says otherwise or the use isn't listed; reconfiguring a lot is code assessable; building work and operational work are accepted unless the tables say otherwise. Unusually, CairnsPlan makes ordinary building work (and minor building work) 'accepted subject to requirements' in almost every zone — it must meet the acceptable outcomes of the zone code and the Excavation and filling and Infrastructure works codes (or the Dwelling house / Dual occupancy / Multiple dwelling code on a residential site with one of those uses); accepted development that can't meet them becomes code assessable (section 5.4(2)). In the Conservation zone building work is code assessable (demolition is accepted subject to requirements). In the Principal centre zone a new awning or street canopy is code assessable. A building approval under the Building Act is still needed in all cases. Vegetation damage (operational work) is accepted subject to the Vegetation management code in every zone; state vegetation management rules apply separately. A dwelling house includes a secondary dwelling (granny flat); several tables tick a 'Dwelling house (Secondary dwelling) code'. Schedule 6 of the Planning Regulation 2017 can make a dwelling house or home-based business accepted regardless of these tables. Precincts: the Environmental management zone has precinct 1 – Residential and precinct 2 – Russell Heads (Tables 5.5.e.2, 5.5.e.3), with the same categories for these projects as the zone table. The Mixed use zone has only precinct tables (5.5.n.1 Commercial, 5.5.n.2 Trades and services, 5.5.n.3 Residential): a dwelling house and dual occupancy are listed only in precinct 3, a multiple dwelling only in precincts 1 and 3; a shop in an existing centre building is accepted only if under 500 m² gross floor area, and a department store or supermarket is impact assessable. The Specialised centre zone has only precinct tables (5.5.u.1 Hospitals and allied medical, 5.5.u.2 Showgrounds and major sport, 5.5.u.3 James Cook University): an office isn't listed in precinct 2 and a home based business only in precinct 1. The Tourist accommodation zone's precinct 1 – Islands (Table 5.5.x.2) lists no dwelling house or home based business (impact), makes a shop or café impact assessable unless inside an existing building (code), and subdivision impact assessable. The Special purpose zone's precinct 1 – Cairns South State Development Area (Table 5.5.t.2) is regulated by the State Development Area development scheme for uses and subdivision; rules here follow the Special purpose zone table (5.5.t.1). Local plans can vary the category through 'Applicable local plan codes'. Development by or for the council that is impact assessable is code assessable instead (section 5.3(4)). Benchmarks listed here leave out the individual overlay codes ticked in each row, summarised as 'Applicable overlay codes'.
What else you'll need
- Building approval (private certifier)
More about Cairns
- What can you build in Cairns? Council overview and development applications
- Every Queensland zone explained, with what each council allows and the planning overlays that change the answer
- What Cairns Regional Council charges for a development application, compared with other councils
- A Landbrief site report for your Cairns address — every planning layer that applies to the lot
- Development applications in Edmonton
- Development applications in Clifton Beach
- Development applications in Gordonvale
- Development applications in Edge Hill
- Development applications in Kewarra Beach
- Development applications in Cairns North
- Development applications in Caravonica
- Development applications in Parramatta Park
Other projects in Cairns
Granny flatDual occupancySubdivideExtensionPoolFence or wallHome businessTownhousesShop, café or officeClear treesDemolish
The statewide position on this project: Shed or carport in Queensland.
Read from the CairnsPlan 2016 tables of assessment. General information, not advice. The council's planning scheme and the Planning Act 2016 decide — confirm with the council or a town planner before you build.