Building Permit For Shed

Do You Need a Building Permit for a Shed in WA?

Most backyard sheds need a building permit before you install them. A small shed may be exempt if it is freestanding, no larger than 10m², no higher than 2.4m, and outside wind regions C and D.

For example, a 3m × 3m garden shed may qualify. A 6m × 3m shed needs a building permit because its floor area is over 10m².

You may also need planning approval. That is a separate check, even if your shed does not need a building permit. Building permit exemption guidance

At Perth Drafting, we can check the requirements for your property, prepare the plans and manage the application process for you.

The Main Shed Rules at a Glance

Before ordering your shed, check:

Size: Is the floor area over 10m²?
Height: Is the highest point over 2.4m?
Attachment: Will it be attached to your house or another structure?
Location: Does its position meet the applicable boundary and street setback rules?
Property restrictions: Is the site affected by bushfire, heritage or other special requirements?

The first three checks usually tell a Perth homeowner whether a building permit is needed. The remaining checks help establish whether the proposed shed can be approved in the location you want.

What Size Shed Can You Build Without a Permit?

For an ordinary backyard shed in Perth, the small-building exemption requires the shed to meet all the conditions below.

Requirement	Exemption condition
Floor area	No more than 10m²
Overall height	No more than 2.4m
Construction	Freestanding
Wind region	Outside regions C and D

A shed with walls below 2.4m may still exceed the height limit if its roof rises above that height. Check the supplier’s overall dimensions, including the roof peak.

Here are some common sizes:

Shed size	Floor area	Could it qualify for the exemption?
3m × 3m	9m²	Yes, if it meets the other conditions
3m × 3.3m	9.9m²	Yes, if it meets the other conditions
4m × 3m	12m²	No
6m × 3m	18m²	No
6m × 6m	36m²	No

The exemption does not mean you can place a small shed anywhere. Planning rules and building standards can still apply. Small shed exemption requirements

Are Planning Approval and a Building Permit the Same Thing?

They are two different approvals.

Planning approval considers whether the shed is suitable for your property. This can include its size, height, position and effect on neighbouring properties.

A building permit covers the proposed construction and compliance with the applicable building requirements.

Your shed might need a building permit without needing a separate planning application. If planning approval is required, it must be obtained before the building permit can be granted.

Our guide to council approval for sheds explains the planning checks in more detail.

What Should You Check Before Buying a Shed?

Start with the shed’s dimensions and where you want to put it.

A supplier’s brochure can show you what the shed looks like, but it cannot confirm whether that shed will suit your particular block.

Useful information to gather includes:

Your property address.
The shed’s width, length and overall height.
A brochure or quote from the supplier.
The proposed distance from each boundary.
The distance from your house and other buildings.
Photos of the proposed location.
Details of any existing slab.

We also recommend explaining how you intend to use the shed. Storage and workshop use can raise different questions from a proposal for a bedroom, office or other habitable room.

An existing concrete slab should also be checked. Its size alone does not establish whether it is suitable for the new shed.

What Plans Do You Need for a Shed Application?

The application needs to show both where the shed will go and how it will be built.

Typical documents include:

Document	What it shows
Site plan	The shed’s position, boundaries, existing buildings and relevant levels
Floor plan	The shed’s dimensions and layout
Elevations	Its height, roof shape, doors and windows
Construction details	The structure, connections, footings and anchoring
Supporting documents	Relevant engineering, approvals and site assessments

The exact requirements depend on your council and the proposed shed.

For a kit shed, the supplier may provide useful drawings and engineering documents. We check whether those documents cover the shed you are actually buying and what additional information is needed for your property.

See our shed plans and drafting service for more about the drawings we prepare.

Will You Need Engineering or a Bushfire Assessment?

Engineering

Your application needs suitable evidence that the shed’s structure, footings and anchoring meet the applicable requirements.

A standard kit may come with engineering documentation. A custom shed, unusual design or difficult site may need additional engineering.

The documents should identify the actual components and construction details being used. A catalogue containing several unselected options can leave the assessor asking for clarification.

Bushfire requirements

Bushfire requirements depend on the property, the shed and its relationship to other buildings.

Being on bushfire-prone land does not automatically mean every shed needs a new Bushfire Attack Level report.

For example, Wanneroo’s guidance identifies an additional assessment where a proposed outbuilding is within six metres of a dwelling constructed under bushfire requirements. We check what applies to your project before preparing the application. Wanneroo outbuilding guidance

How Much Does a Shed Permit Cost?

The total depends on the approval pathway and the work needed to support the application.

Allow for:

Council application fees and applicable levies.
Drafting.
Building certification, where required.
Engineering or site assessments, where required.
Any council verge bond or related charges.

A straightforward kit shed may already have much of the construction information available. A custom shed may need more documentation.

We can review your proposal and explain which costs apply before you commit to the application.

How Long Does a Shed Building Permit Take?

The usual statutory assessment periods are:

10 business days for a certified building permit application.
25 business days for an uncertified application.

A certified application includes a certificate of design compliance from a registered building surveyor. With an uncertified application, the permit authority arranges that assessment.

These periods cover the building application assessment. They do not include preparing the drawings, obtaining engineering or securing planning approval. Requests for further information can also affect the timeframe. WA building approval assessment periods

Check the approval pathway before booking installation or concrete work.

Can Perth Drafting Handle the Shed Application for You?

Yes. We can help you work through the requirements and manage the application process.

Depending on your project, our work can include:

Checking the proposed shed and location.
Identifying the approvals needed.
Preparing the site-specific drawings.
Reviewing the supplier’s documentation.
Coordinating with a building surveyor or engineer where needed.
Lodging the application and responding to council questions.

Checking the proposal early gives us a chance to identify missing documents or suggest a more suitable position before you order the shed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a 3m × 3m shed need a building permit?

It may be exempt because its floor area is 9m². It must also be freestanding, no higher than 2.4m and outside wind regions C and D. Planning requirements still need checking.

Does a 6m × 3m shed need a building permit?

Yes, for an ordinary backyard shed in Perth. Its 18m² floor area exceeds the small-building exemption.

Do I need a permit if the shed is a kit?

Buying a kit does not remove the permit requirements. The shed’s size, height, location and construction determine what approvals are needed.

Can I put my shed next to the boundary fence?

Possibly. The answer depends on the applicable planning setbacks and building requirements. Check the position before choosing the shed or pouring the slab.

For more detail, read our shed boundary setback guide.