Understanding NSW Approval Requirements for Your Goodlife Structures Garden Room

Thinking about enhancing your outdoor space with a stylish and functional garden room in New South Wales? The great news is that with a clear understanding of NSW’s exempt development rules, your Goodlife Structures garden room kit may not require a complex approval process. With the right planning, your new space can be set up quickly and hassle-free.

Goodlife Structures’ kitsets are classified as Class 10Anon-habitable sheds, meaning they can often be built without development consent, provided they comply with certain guidelines. Below is a breakdown of the key requirements, but for full details, always refer to NSW legislation or consult with your local council.

Disclaimer: The information provided here is based on current regulations at the time of writing and is intended as a general guide. Rules may vary depending on local council requirements, so we recommend confirming specifics with your local authority before commencing construction.

Do You Need Development Consent? Answer These Four Questions:

1. Will your garden room be connected to sewerage or water supply services?

• No  – Great news! No development consent required at this stage.
• Yes  – You will need to apply for development consent.

Note: If you plan to install a composting toilet or rainwater collection system, check with your local council for specific requirements. Portable shower and toilet units may be a viable alternative within the exemption rules.

2. Is your property in a rural zoning category?

• RU1,     RU2, RU3, RU4, RU6, or R5 – You can install any Goodlife Structures kitset without development consent, provided it is at least 5m from each  lot boundary.
• Other     zoning categories – You can install kitsets up to 20m² without development consent, as long as they are at least 900mm from each lot  boundary.

Note: If your property is in a zone other than RU1, RU2,RU3, RU4, or RU6, your garden room must also be positioned behind the building line of any road frontage.

If you need to find out what zone your property is in please follow these steps:

Go to: https://www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/spatialviewer/#/find-a-property/address

Put your address in the search field.

Select Land Zoning Map

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3. Is your property in a bushfire-prone area?

• No  – No development consent needed.
• Yes  – If the garden room is placed at least 5m from any dwelling, development     consent is not required.

4. Are there already two or more additional structures on our property?

(Including sheds, carports, gazebos, greenhouses, etc.)

• Fewer  than 2 existing structures – No development consent required.
• 2 or more existing structures – You will need to apply for development     consent.

Other Important Requirements for Exempt Developments:

To qualify for an exemption in NSW, all garden rooms must also:

• Not  exceed 3 metres in height.
• Be at least 1 metre from any registered easement.
• Ensure  rainwater drainage does not create issues for neighbouring properties.
• Not obstruct access to another building or interfere with its fire safety     measures.
• Not be constructed in a heritage-listed area.

If your project does not meet these criteria, it may still be possible to build your garden room, but you will likely need to apply for council approval.

Need Help? Get in Touch!

If you find that planning approval or development consent is necessary, don’t stress! This simply means you need to explore a few additional steps. The team at Goodlife Structures is here to guide you through the process. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you bring your dream garden room to life!

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