CBOS Shed Building Cheat Sheet
A plain-English summary of the Consumer, Building and Occupational Services (CBOS) fact sheet on building a shed in Tasmania – so you know what needs a permit before you build.
Do I need a building permit for a shed in Tasmania?
Whether you need a building permit depends on the size of the shed, how it is built, and what it is used for. The CBOS fact sheet below explains the building approval requirements for non-habitable sheds, garages, carports and larger farm sheds. The National Construction Code sets the minimum technical standards for these buildings.
Checks to make before you build
Make sure you are complying with the planning rules. There may be setbacks from boundaries you need to consider, so check with your council that your project won't contravene the local planning scheme. You should also check your property title for easements and, of course, dial before you dig so you don't interfere with underground assets.
What an owner can do
- Build a small, non-prefabricated shed up to 18m² without a building permit.
- Erect a prefabricated shed up to 36m² without a building permit – you notify the council on completion using the Form 80 Notification of Low Risk Work.
- For larger sheds, apply to the Administrator of Occupational Licensing for an Owner Builder Permit – contact CBOS for more information.
What a farmer can do
If the shed is for farm use on a rural property, you can erect a prefabricated shed less than 200m² without a building permit. You still need to comply with the height and other limits in the Director's Determination, and notify the council on completion using Form 80.
What a licensed builder can do
You don't have to build the shed yourself. A competent person or licensed builder can erect a prefabricated shed, garage or similar up to 36m² without a building permit – just check planning requirements and notify council on completion. For structures greater than 36m², you must engage a licensed builder, licensed designer and a building surveyor (except prefabricated farm sheds under 200m²). The building surveyor assesses the design and, if it is likely to comply with the National Construction Code, authorises the builder to start work.
Hazardous areas – bushfire-prone 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. In a landslip area, excavations and stormwater disposal must not increase the risk of a landslip. A building surveyor can advise on your proposed project.
Easy guide to building sheds in Tasmania
This is the approval matrix from the official CBOS fact sheet, reproduced as a table you can actually read. Find your shed type in the left column, then read across to see who can do the work and which approvals apply.
| Type of structure | Work by the owner? | Licensed builder needed? (or Owner Builder Permit) | Building surveyor needed? | Licensed designer needed? | Check planning? | Building permit needed? | Notify council on completion? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Non-prefabricated shed, carport or garage up to 18m² | Yes | No | No | No | Yes | No | No |
| Non-prefabricated shed, carport or garage over 18m² and up to 36m² | No | Yes | No | No | Yes | No | Yes |
| Prefabricated shed, carport or garage up to 36m² | Yes | No | No | NoEngineering drawings provided with kit | Yes | No | YesOnly if over 18m² |
| Prefabricated shed, carport or garage larger than 36m² | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Prefabricated farm shed less than 200m² | Yes | No | No | NoEngineering drawings provided with kit | Yes | No | YesOnly if over 36m² |
| Prefabricated farm shed 200m² or larger | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Larger sheds (over 36m²) for industrial or commercial uses | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
Source: CBOS Fact Sheet "Building a shed in Tasmania", DOC/16/86024[v4] version 1.5, April 2019 (reproduced below). Requirements can change — always confirm with CBOS (www.cbos.tas.gov.au, 1300 654 499) and your local council before you build.
The official CBOS fact sheet
This summary is a guide only. For the full detail, size tables and worked examples, read the official fact sheet on the CBOS website. The good news: our team handles the paperwork for you. We manage the council notifications and permits on your build, so you don't have to work it out yourself.
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