Exemptions from development and building approval may apply to certain roofed, unenclosed or partly open Class 10a buildings, provided they comply with relevant provisions of Regulations. Examples include roofed pergolas, carports and shade structures.

Exemptions from development approval

The development does not need development approval if it complies with relevant provisions of the Planning and Development Regulation 2008, Schedule 1. The following is a summary of the provisions and is correct as of the date the web page was last updated - scroll to the bottom of the web page to find this - however the Regulation's Schedule may been updated since then. In summary, the development is exempt provided that:

• it is not an external deck or external verandah;
• the roof plan area is  not more than 25m²;
• there are walls on not more than 2 of the sides;
• it is not more than 3m above natural ground level;
• if it has a floor, the height of the finished floor level not more than:
• • 0.4m above natural ground level for any part within 1.5m of a side boundary or rear boundary of the block; and
  • 1m above finished ground level in any other case
• it is behind the building line;
• if any part is within 1.5m of a side boundary or rear boundary of the block it is the only class 10 building or structure (other than a boundary fence) that has any part of it that is within 1.5m of the boundary or the 2nd exempt building or structure within boundary clearance area exemption applies
• it complies with relevant general exemption criteria.

See definitions to understand the terms in italics.

Exemptions from building approval

The development does not building approval if it complies with relevant provisions of the Building (General) Regulation 2008, Schedule 1. The following is a summary of the provisions and is correct as of the date the web page was last updated - scroll to the bottom of the web page to find this - however the Regulation's Schedule may have been updated since then. In summary, the development is exempt provided that:

• it has no walls;
• it is not more than 3m above ground;
• the floor level is not more than 1m above ground;
• the frame does not have an unsupported span (including any cantilever) of more than 4m;
• the roof (including a sail or sail-like element) plan area is not more than 25m²;
• it will not affect the structural integrity of any part of a building for which a Certificate of Occupancy or other certificate under the Building Act 2004, part 5, has been issued;
• it will not affect a fire-rated wall, ceiling or floor;
• it will not affect a ventilation or air-handling system, fire protection system or other mechanical service;
• it will not affect a fire escape, emergency lift, stairway, exit or passageway to an exit;
• it will not affect the natural light of ventilation available to a building for which a certificate under the Act, part 5, has been issued;
• it will not affect the building in a way that reduces its compliance with the Building Code to a level that is less than the minimum requirements of the Code;
• it does not involve handling asbestos or disturbing friable asbestos (other than minor maintenance work, i.e. low-speed or hand-drilling, sealing, painting, coating if done personally by the owner or occupier of the premises).

No building approval, licence, notice, certifier, plans, inspections, certificates but design and construction standards  required under the Building Act 2004.