Setback Requirements in Lockyer Valley Shire
Setback Requirements in Lockyer Valley Shire
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Small Sheds (Up to 10 Square Meters):
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Sheds with a floor area of 10 square meters or less, a maximum height of 2.4 meters, a mean height of 2.1 meters, and no side longer than 5 meters are considered self-assessable under the Building Regulation 2021. No building approval is required, but they must meet setback rules.
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The QDC MP 1.2 requires a minimum setback of 1.5 meters from side and rear boundaries. The front setback is typically 6 meters from any road boundary (e.g., the front fence line) to ensure the shed is behind the main dwelling’s building line.
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Larger Sheds (Over 10 Square Meters):
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Sheds exceeding 10 square meters, 2.4 meters in height, or located within 1.5 meters of a boundary require a building approval from a private certifier. A concurrence agency referral to the Lockyer Valley Regional Council may be needed if setbacks are not met.
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In residential zones, the setback is 1.5 meters from side and rear boundaries for sheds up to 4.5 meters high with a mean height not exceeding 3.5 meters, as per QDC MP 1.2.
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In rural residential zones, the setback may increase to 3 meters from side and rear boundaries, similar to requirements in other Queensland councils like Sunshine Coast.
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In rural zones, the Lockyer Valley Planning Scheme may require a 50-meter setback from all boundaries for sheds, though this can be reduced for domestic outbuildings (e.g., to 3 meters in rural residential zones). For farm sheds on agricultural land, the setback may be 200 meters from any road or boundary unless the shed is a small Class 10 structure (e.g., a private garage).
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Corner Blocks:
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On a corner block, the secondary street boundary (the side facing the street) often requires a larger setback, typically 2-3 meters in residential zones, to maintain visibility and streetscape aesthetics. The rear boundary setback remains 1.5 meters in residential zones or 3 meters in rural residential zones.
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Additional Considerations
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Zoning and Overlays: Properties in Lockyer Valley may have overlays (e.g., flood, bushfire, or heritage) that affect setbacks. For example, a flood overlay might require the shed to be repositioned. Check the property’s zoning and overlays via the council’s “Key Facts About a Property” page.
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Siting Discretion: If a shed is proposed closer than the required setbacks, a siting discretion approval (Form APP 005) is needed from the council. This is assessed on a case-by-case basis, considering impacts on neighbors’ amenity, privacy, and safety.
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Compliance: All sheds must comply with the Building Code of Australia (BCA) and QDC, including structural adequacy, tie-downs, and roof water disposal (e.g., runoff must not affect neighbors). Lockyer Valley’s climate (heat, humidity, occasional flooding) may necessitate additional design considerations.
Conclusion
In the Lockyer Valley Shire, a shed in a residential zone typically requires a 1.5-meter setback from side and rear boundaries and 6 meters from the front boundary. On a corner block, the secondary street boundary may need a 2-3 meter setback. In rural residential zones, setbacks may increase to 3 meters, and in rural zones, they could be 50 meters unless the shed qualifies as a domestic outbuilding. For precise requirements, contact the Lockyer Valley Regional Council or a private certifier to confirm zoning and overlays.
We have fully qualified builders and certifiers ready and available to assist with all aspects of your local shed build and Lockyer Valley Shed or garage application.
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