Do I Need a DA to Build a Shed or Deck?

It’s a common question: Do I need council approval to build a shed or deck? The short answer is, it depends.

Some projects are simple and fall under exempt or complying development, while others will require full DA approval.

NSW planning laws are clear, but navigating them can be tricky without the right advice.

As a town planner NSW based, I’ve helped many clients determine the correct approval path for minor residential works.

A small error in interpreting local controls can delay a project or result in expensive changes after construction starts.

Exempt vs DA Approval: What’s the Difference?

In NSW planning, exempt development means you don’t need council approval at all — but only if the structure meets strict size, height and location criteria.

For example, you can build a garden shed up to 20 square metres in some residential zones without a development application, provided it’s set back from boundaries and not in a heritage area.

Decks can also be exempt if they’re small, low to the ground and don’t interfere with storm water flow or neighbouring privacy.

We advised a homeowner in the Blue Mountains who wanted to build a timber deck behind their cottage.

While it seemed minor, the property’s slope meant the deck exceeded the height limit for exempt development.

We helped them lodge a successful development application, including a statement of environmental effects for NSW DA and shadow diagrams to address neighbour concerns.

When a DA Is Required

You’ll need DA approval if your shed or deck exceeds size limits, is in a bushfire or flood-prone area, or if the site is heritage listed.

Some sites also have zoning constraints or overlays that trigger additional council controls.

We recently handled a project in the Inner West where a rear-lane shed was proposed for a property in a heritage conservation area.

Although it was a small structure, council required a heritage impact statement NSW town planning compliant.

Our planning consultant worked with council to get the shed approved with minimal changes.

If setbacks, height or floor area don’t comply with the standard DCP controls, we also assist with expert help with Clause 4.6 variation request NSW submissions.

Don’t Forget Building Regulations

Even if a project is exempt from DA, it still needs to comply with building regulations NSW applies.

This includes structural integrity, waterproofing, and termite protection.

In many cases, a private certifier will need to issue a construction certificate or complying development certificate.

Our in-house drafting team regularly supports clients with projects that sit on the borderline not quite exempt, but not major either.

Whether it’s a new garden shed or a raised entertaining deck, we ensure the plans are ready for either council or certifier review.

The Importance of Early Planning Advice

Before you start ordering materials or booking a builder, it’s smart to get professional planning advice.

A town planner near me specialising in NSW DCP can interpret zoning, lot constraints and local policies quickly.

We provide town planning services for residential development NSW wide, including council submission for secondary dwelling NSW projects, and assist clients every day who are navigating how to get a DA approved in NSW, even for small backyard builds.