Shade structures

Shade structures are often made from materials like canvas, fabric and mesh for the purpose of providing shade, protection and shelter from UV radiation.

A shade structure must:

• not be higher than 3 m from the existing ground level
• be located at a distance from each lot boundary of at least:
  • 5 m if development is carried out in Zone RU1, RU2, RU3, RU4, RU6 or R5
  • 900 mm in all other cases
• be located behind the building line of any road frontage
• not be constructed or installed on land in a foreshore area as exempt development
• be structurally adequate
• installed in accordance with manufacturer’s specifications
• comply with the Building Code of Australia (BCA).

If you propose to remove or prune any existing trees or vegetation, you need to contact your council first to ensure you don’t need approval.

Refer to the State Policy for a list of development standards that shade structures must meet to be exempt development, including maximum area requirements.

Exempt development cannot take place within a wilderness area or critical habitat of an endangered species, population or ecological community.

Exempt development cannot occur on land that is, or on which there is, an item that is listed on the State Heritage Register or that is currently under an interim heritage order.

Structures on public land or over a public road (even temporary structures) must have approval from the relevant council or Roads and Maritime Services.