Browse Forums Landscape & Garden Design 1 Jun 10, 2010 11:14 pm Hi everyone l was just wondering whether you need council approval to build a timber deck in the alfresco? We also wanted to build a pergola as well. We are building our house and have not added in our landscaping plan for council a timber deck and pergola. Though now we wanted to add it. l know we would not be able to add it in the with an interim certificate unless we get our landscaping plans amended with council. l rang the council up and they said that all decks need to have council approval. l always thought it was a straight out application fee though they told me that they take a percentage of the cost. Can this be right? Is it risky to get it done after we get our occupations certificate without council approval? Sorry to babble on. Hope this makes sense. Handover date 3rd August 2010 WOOHOO!!! Re: Do you need council approval????? 2Jun 11, 2010 12:00 pm Under the new housing code, a deck is classified as exempt (no DA required) if it is 20 sqm or less, and takes up less than 15% of the building's footprint. The deck portion that is under the alfresco ceiling, I don't think that that would need it either, as it's under the house's roofline... but don't quote me on that. Re: Do you need council approval????? 3Jun 12, 2010 10:53 pm there is a difference between a deck and simply wood flooring (which is what most decks actually are) Decks are usually built off the ground and therefore require registration. If you have a slab and running some wood over the top - its not really decking Re: Do you need council approval????? 4Jun 13, 2010 8:35 am I think Lunchtime is right, I wouldn't bother if you're laying decking over a concrete slab. But for anything else, it really depends entirely on where you are, since rules can vary from one council to another, even within the same state. Then it comes down to the size and height of the deck, and a whole lot of other stuff... Check your council's website. If oyu can't find the answer there, give them a call. That's what theyr'e there for. Re: Do you need council approval????? 5Jun 13, 2010 11:42 am We wanted to extend the deck out on both sides so it will be on the concrete slab but also on the sides of the slab which is about 60cm high off the floor. I was speaking to someone else from the same area and they told me that the council will charge about $700. WTF? l think l'll make an appointment to see my local council. Handover date 3rd August 2010 WOOHOO!!! Re: Do you need council approval????? 6Jun 13, 2010 12:17 pm Jane Your profile does not show where you are. If you are in NSW, exempt development laws may apply if you meet requirements which are as follows: (a) be for domestic purposes only, and (b) have an area of not more than 20m2, and (c) not cause the total floor area of all such structures on the lot to be more than 15% of the ground floor area of the dwelling on the lot, and (d) not have an enclosing wall higher than 1.4m, and (e) be located behind the building line of any road frontage, and (f) be located at least 900mm from each lot boundary, and (g) be located at least 1m from any registered easement, sewer main or water main, and (h) to the extent it is comprised of metal components—be constructed of low reflective, factory pre-coloured materials, and (i) if it is free standing—have a floor height not more than 1m above ground level (existing), and (j) if it is a roofed structure: (i) that is attached to a dwelling—not extend above the roof gutter line of the dwelling, and (ii) have a roof not higher than 3m, at its highest point, above ground level (existing), and (k) if it is connected to a facia—be connected in accordance with a professional engineer’s specifications, and (l) be constructed or installed so that any roofwater is disposed of into an existing stormwater drainage system, and (m) not interfere with the functioning of existing drainage fixtures or flow paths, and (n) if it is located on bush fire prone land and is less than 5m from a dwelling—be constructed of non-combustible material, and (o) if it is constructed or installed in a heritage conservation area or a draft heritage conservation area—be located in the rear yard. http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/nsw/ ... 572721.pdf Re: Do you need council approval????? 7Jun 13, 2010 6:44 pm This is exactly what we want to do, have the decking on the concrete slab, but extend it out a little to make it a bit bigger.... and I have no idea whether we need council approval either... i'll be watching this thread! Re: Do you need council approval????? 8Jun 13, 2010 6:50 pm Bek This is exactly what we want to do, have the decking on the concrete slab, but extend it out a little to make it a bit bigger.... and I have no idea whether we need council approval either... i'll be watching this thread! Just remember that depending where the OP is located, what her state government/council's requirements are may be completely irrelevant to you. Which is why it's a good idea to at least put your state as a location in your profile. Re: Do you need council approval????? 9Jun 13, 2010 8:13 pm Hi there l'm from Sydney Handover date 3rd August 2010 WOOHOO!!! Re: Do you need council approval????? 11Jun 16, 2010 10:53 pm I know a few people who need council approval Council approval for Pergolas in Sydney 12Jun 20, 2017 5:25 pm janenguyen Hi everyone l was just wondering whether you need council approval to build a timber deck in the alfresco? We also wanted to build a pergola as well. We are building our house and have not added in our landscaping plan for council a timber deck and pergola. Though now we wanted to add it. l know we would not be able to add it in the with an interim certificate unless we get our landscaping plans amended with council. l rang the council up and they said that all decks need to have council approval. l always thought it was a straight out application fee though they told me that they take a percentage of the cost. Can this be right? Is it risky to get it done after we get our occupations certificate without council approval? Sorry to babble on. Hope this makes sense. Hi guys would love your feedback from any other pergola builders in NSW Sydney. This really depends on the council. Where we live the local council does not require building permits for pergolas unless they are bigger than a certain size. View my blog Pergolas Sydney Authority 7/40 The Grand Parade Brighton-Le-Sands , NSW 2216 Phone 02 8080 4340 View my build thread Hi Minho I have heaps of experience in Ku-ring-gai with both DAs and CDC ( this is the main area we build in). DA's are taking 12-18months and CDC's we have been doing… 1 3148 1 2965 Looking to start the journey of becoming an owner builder in SA. Feeling pretty (overly) confident on the building and construction details, but really struggling to find… 0 8397 |