Carport or garage
Find out what type of approval you need to build a carport or garage. Check if you need to lodge a development application.
What do I need to know before getting started?
Before you start your carport or garage project, you should:
- confirm key facts about your property, including zones and overlays, by using City Plan online
- understand the development application process.
What types of approval do I need?
Planning approval
Your proposed carport or garage is generally accepted development, subject to requirements if your property is:
-
in a residential zone
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not impacted by a relevant overlay
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not impacted by a neighbourhood plan.
For each residential zone, your design must comply with all requirements of the Dwelling house code. If your property is on a small lot, it must comply with all the requirements of the Dwelling house (small lot) code.
If your proposed carport or garage doesn’t meet all the requirements of the applicable code, it may need planning approval.
If you need planning approval, you'll need to lodge a development application.
Building approval
If you’re building a carport or garage on a property with an existing house, you’ll need building approval.
Contact a licensed building certifier to arrange building approval for your proposed carport or garage.
Your building certifier can also seek alternative provisions, such as the setback from the front, side or rear boundary, by lodging a request for a referral response.
If your proposed carport or garage is part of a new house, building approval should be part of the building application for the new house.
Driveway permit
You’ll need a driveway permit if building your carport or garage involves crossing the footpath to build or modify a driveway.
What happens after I lodge my development application?
Once we’ve received your development application, we‘ll check it:
- complies with properly made requirements
- includes all the relevant documents.
A fee quote will then be issued for payment. Council uses a points system to calculate development application fees, which can vary depending on your project.
Application assessment
Properly made applications proceed through an assessment process in set stages.
If your application is not properly made, you’ll receive an action notice and have 20 days to comply.
You must let Council know that the action notice has been complied with. We’ll consider whether the action notice has been fulfilled and issue a Confirmation Notice if satisfied that the application is properly made.
If you’re unsure, request information and advice.
Keep track of your development application
You can check the status of your development application on our development and search tracking tool, Development.i.
Look up your development application by number or location and select 'Details'. The status is under 'Progress'.
Information for building certifiers
Under the Planning Act 2016, Council must hold records of building construction approvals and certification information. These documents will be kept for a specified period of time and made available for inspection.
A detailed list of required lodgement materials is outlined in Planning Regulation 2017 and s86 of the Building Act 1975.
You can lodge building certification documents online for a fee of $72.30.
Sign in to the Services Brisbane for Business portal to lodge your building certification documents.
You can also lodge building documents at any Customer Centre. Phone Council’s Business Hotline on 133 BNE (133 263) to ask about the fees for lodging building documents in person.
Helpful links
Frequently asked questions
You may need Council approval to build a carport if your proposed project doesn’t meet the requirements under Brisbane City Plan 2014.
No. If your project only meets some of the applicable requirements, it becomes:
- an assessable development and needs planning approval, or
- a referral response as part of the building approval process.