Building a pergola, veranda, deck, or carport

A pergola means an open structure that is unroofed but may have a covering of open weave permeable material.

A veranda means a solid roofed structure with openings on one or more sides and attached to a building or house.

In most circumstances, a planning permit is not required.

A planning permit is not required for an open-sided pergola or veranda if:

• The structure has a finished floor level not more than 800mm above ground level and a maximum height of three metres above ground level; or
• The land is residentially zoned and has an area of more than 300m²

There are exceptions where the land is affected by an overlay that may trigger a planning permit for certain buildings and works. You can check the zones and overlays that apply to your property at VicPlan.

A pergola does not require a building permit, providing it is:

• not more than 20m² in floor area; and
• not more than 3.6m in height; and
• located no further forward on the allotment than the front wall of the building to which it is appurtenant; or
• located no further forward than 2.5m of the front wall of the building to which it is appurtenant.

Yes, a building permit is required to construct a veranda.

In most circumstances, no. A planning permit is not required for deck associated with a dwelling:

• The structure has a finished floor level not more than 800mm above ground level; or
• The land is residentially zoned and has an area of more than 300m²

There are exceptions where the land is affected by an overlay that may trigger a planning permit for certain buildings and works, You can check the zones and overlays that apply to your property at VicPlan.

Yes, a building permit is required to construct a deck irrespective of its size.

In most circumstances, a planning permit is not required to build a carport or garage associated with an existing dwelling.

However, there are exceptions to this where the land is less than 300m² or is affected by an overlay that may trigger a planning permit for certain buildings and works, You can check the zones and overlays that apply to your property at VicPlan.

It is recommended that you contact Council about your proposal to ensure the permit requirements can be confirmed.

Yes, a building permit is required to construct a garage or carport assuming it is larger than 10m² (i.e. 4m long by 2.5m in width).

You will need to engage a private building surveyor to obtain a building permit for your shed. Council does not offer building permit services.

For more information on appointing a building surveyor, please visit the Victorian Building Authority website.

For more information or to discuss your planning application, contact our Statutory Planning team by:

• Requesting a call back to speak to a planner (in most cases calls are returned on the same day and no later than 48 hours).
• Calling our Statutory Planning Department on 1300 BCOAST (226 278) or (03) 5671 2211
• Visiting the Wonthaggi Customer Service Centre (76 McBride Avenue, Wonthaggi) between 10am and 3pm every Wednesday to speak to a planner (please note that a planner may not be available between 12pm-12:45pm).