Whether you need a building permit for a shed in Tasmania depends on the size of the shed, how it is built, and what it is used for. The Building Code of Australia classifies private garages, carports and sheds as Class 10a non-habitable buildings, and the National Construction Code sets the minimum technical standards they have to meet.
What an owner can do
- Build a small, non-prefabricated shed without a building permit.
- Erect a prefabricated shed without a building permit — you notify the council on completion instead.
- For larger projects, apply to the Administrator of Occupational Licensing for an Owner Builder Permit.
What a farmer can do
If the shed is for farm use on a rural property, you can erect a prefabricated shed of less than 200 m² without a building permit. You still need to comply with the height and setback limits in the Director's Determination, and notify the council on completion using Form 80.
What a licensed builder can do
A competent person or licensed builder can erect a prefabricated shed, garage or similar of up to 36 m² without a building permit — just check planning requirements and notify council on completion. For structures greater than 36 m², you engage a licensed builder, and the building surveyor assesses the design against the National Construction Code.
Bushfire-prone areas and landslip
Being in a hazardous area doesn't automatically mean your shed needs a building permit, but there are conditions to meet: in a bushfire-prone area the shed will usually need to be separated from habitable buildings, and in landslip areas, excavations and stormwater disposal must not increase the risk. A building surveyor can advise on your proposed project.
The good news: we handle the paperwork
This is a guide only — for the full detail, size tables and worked examples, read our CBOS shed building cheat sheet or the official CBOS fact sheet. And when you order through Tassie Sheds, our team hands you signed engineering plans for local council and can manage the council notifications and permits on your build, so you don't have to work it out yourself.