Can I build a shed or carport on my property?

You will need an approval from Council to build a shed or carport or locate a shipping container on your property.

There are specific ‘rules’ for sheds, carports, patios, verandas, decks, shade sails and shipping containers which are explained further.

What are the requirements to meet?

The following table shows the requirements that you will need to meet.

Please refer to Queensland Development Code MP1.2 for more information.

In some cases, a shed, carport or shipping container may be inside these boundary clearances if the height and length meet Queensland Development Code MP1.2.

Please contact Council on (07) 4970 0700 or info@gladstone.qld.gov.au for more information.

Can I build a shed on vacant land if I don’t have a house on there?

Yes, you can, provided that you get building approval from a building certifier and an amenity and aesthetics approval from Council. Council will assess the proposed shed against these criteria when making their assessment:

• The general siting, setback and height requirements as shown in Figure 1
• The shed is located to the back of the site so that any future house can be located in front of the shed
• The size of the shed leaves enough space to allow a future house to be established
• The shed does not include any plumbing fixtures that would allow it to be used as a home or “habitable building”.

Can I live in my shed?

A shed on vacant land may only be ‘lived in’ and used as a home, if:

• You have a temporary occupancy permit - which you can get once you have approval for building the house on the same site.
• A shed must meet a number of design and material criteria before it can be reclassified and gain approval as a house (or a “Class 1a building”). 

Can I have a shipping container on my property?

Shipping containers have the same requirements as a shed or carport for setbacks, height and design features (refer Figure 1). A shipping container or relocatable storage structure may be on a house block if you obtain an Amenity and Aesthetics approval, building approval, and also meet the following requirements:

• A maximum of one Shipping Container (or Railway Carriage) on the property
• Located behind the house and not be visible from the main street frontage
• Screened by landscaping or a suitable screening structure so it’s not visible
• Painted with a consistent colour scheme to the house.

Can I have a shade sail on my property?

A shade sail is a structure with a fabric material. The structure can have any number of posts or be affixed to a structure and is usually used to create shade.

Shade sails require building approval and are subject to the same requirements as carports, sheds and shipping containers.

Cyclone proofing

Gladstone is located within a Cyclonic Wind Region which means there are certain structural standards and tie-down requirements when constructing building or structures. This also means that any structure that is relocated into the region, or relocated from within the region, needs to meet certain tests. Key measures to ensure the structures on your property can resist potential wind impacts include:

• Selecting the right products that meet relevant standards tests and are suitable for use in the Gladstone region.
• Ensuring all building work (repair or new construction) is undertaken by licensed tradespeople.
• Checking with Council to confirm whether additional approvals are required.

What if I don’t meet the requirements?

If the structure does not comply with all of the requirements set by legislation, your Building Approval will also need to include an Amenity and Aesthetics and/ or Boundary Relaxation Approval from Council’s Town Planning section. Council will assess these applications based on:

• The size and shape of the site and how much development is on your property and the next door properties
• Whether you have consent from the next door property owners
• How the proposal will look from the street and from adjoining properties
• The type of design, building materials and colours that will be used and any landscaping treatments that could soften and/or screen any impacts.

Contact Council on (07) 4970 0700 or info@gladstone.qld.gov.au for further assistance.

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