Do You Need Council Approval for a Garage in SA?

23 May 2025

Adding a garage to your property provides a safe space to store your car, protecting it from the elements and vandals. It can also increase your curb appeal and even the value of your home, but before you enlist a builder, do you know if council approval is needed in South Australia?

The rules for building a garage vary across Australia and even from council to council, making it difficult for you to know if you can add a garage to your home. To help you bring your garage dream to reality, we have broken down when approval is and isn't needed and how you can apply for council approval for your new garage.

Garage Approvals in South Australia

Garages don't always require council approval in South Australia, allowing you to make changes to your property without needing to complete any paperwork. When your garage meets the following requirements, you don't need council approval:

• It is more than 6 meters from a corner boundary

• It is more than 900 millimetres away from a boundary with a second street (like a corner property)

• It is located on the property and is not closer to the street than the main building

• It has a width or span of less than 3 meters

• It is smaller than 15 square meters

• It will be used as an extension of the house and not a separate home office or other use

• It is not 2.5 m off of ground level

This can vary depending on your local council, so it is best to check directly with them before you build your garage to ensure that your garage plans meet the necessary requirements. Each council sets its own regulations relating to the size and design of your garage, and you can usually find this information on their website.

Regardless of whether you need approval or not for your garage, you will need to ensure that your garage is built in line with building regulations. These tend to be the same across Australia, with the Building Code of Australia (BCA) ensuring that buildings are safe for public and personal use.

For garages, you will need to ensure that you meet the structural adequacy and fire resistance codes at a minimum, but you should also consider the access and sustainability of your garage. A registered builder will ensure that your garage meets BCA requirements to prevent any fines or further work.

When is Council Approval Needed?

Council approval is needed for your garage when it does not meet any of the requirements outlined above. In short, if your garage is larger than 15 square meters (most tend to be 20 square meters or larger), is close to your property border, or is higher than 2.5 meters from ground level, you will need approval from your local council.

Council approval is also needed when your property is on heritage land. This can be local or state heritage land, and it is important that council approval is provided to ensure that the garage does not compromise the land. In some heritage areas, you will need to ensure that the design of the garage is in keeping with the architecture in the area, with your council providing more specific guidance for this.

Council approval might also be needed if you are planning an unusual shape or design of your garage or if you live in an area prone to bushfires. Councils need to ensure that all properties built are safe and will not contribute to the spread of fires. It is best to check with your local council whether they have any additional requirements that you must meet before construction begins on your garage. You can check on their website to see if there are any specific requirements you must meet.

How to Apply for Council Approval to Build a Garage in South Australia

Applying for council approval to build your garage in South Australia is fairly straightforward, but it can get confusing, especially if you have never applied for approval before. Our step-by-step guide below walks you through the process to help you get the approval you need.

Step 1 - Check with Your Local Council

Before filling out any forms, it is best to check with your local council whether you need to gain approval for your garage. You can do this online with the PlanSA wizard, which helps to determine whether approval is needed and what information you must provide for this.

Checking with your local council beforehand can save you time and remove any uncertainty as to whether you need approval or not.

Step 2 - Gather Your Information

Next, we recommend taking some time to gather all the necessary information before you submit your application. Doing so ensures you have everything you need and will prevent any delays during the application process. The information you need to submit can vary, but typically you will need the following:

• Property details, including your address and certificate of title

• Garage details, including design plans, proposed location and materials

• Compliance documents, like required clearances for powerlines

You can use the PlanSA wizard or speak directly to your local council to see what information you need to include before submitting your application.

Step 3 - Submit Your Application

When you are ready, you can submit your application using the PlanSA online portal. Here, all government planning and development forms are submitted for approval, but you can speak to your local council directly if you need to submit a paper copy.

Make sure that you attach all of your supporting documents to your application when submitting, as any missing information can slow down the application process. All planning applications come with a fee which must be paid in full when you submit your application. If you don't pay the fee in full, your application will not be considered.

Step 4 - Assessment and Approval

Once the council have received your application, they will assess it to determine whether your garage can be approved or not. In some cases, your neighbours might be notified and offered the option to provide feedback about your garage. This is usually only done when the garage could impact your neighbour's property or view.

It usually takes between a few days and weeks for the approval process, depending on how complex your application is and if there are any delays. You will be notified of the outcome of your application. If successful, you can start work on your garage immediately. If you are not successful, the council should provide feedback as to why the application could not be approved. There might be some minor changes that need to be made for your garage to meet the requirements to gain approval, which you can make and resubmit your application for approval.

What Happens if I Build a Garage Without Council Approval?

If your garage requires council approval and you build it without seeking this, you could find yourself with fines or further expensive building work. Should the council find out, you can be hit with a fine for not having the necessary approval. You might be asked to submit a retrospective plan, which might not be approved. If your garage is not approved, you will need to demolish it or make changes to ensure it is in line with the council requirements and building regulation codes in your area.

Building a garage without council approval can be an expensive method, especially if you are building a garage that is not in line with regulations or the requirements of your local council. It is best to always seek permission first to avoid expensive repairs, demolitions, or fines.

Start Planning Your Dream Garage Today

Your dream garage can easily become a reality in South Australia, but you need to ensure that you meet the necessary requirements for your local council. If your garage does not require development approval, you must still make sure that your garage meets the BCA building regulations to keep you and others safe. Why not take a look at our shed designing tool to see how your new garage could look and gather some inspiration? Already have an idea in mind? Then contact us to see how we can bring your steel garage to life!