USEFUL INFORMATION ABOUT SYDNEY CARPORTS
Can I Build a Carport in Front of My House?
This is one of the questions that plague homeowners in Australia, especially those with limited backyard space. Carports can be a great addition to any residential property, regardless of the location. They can either be attached to the house or as a separate structure in the outdoor space.
Carports come in various designs, built using different materials with different aesthetic appeal. But the question is, is building a carport attached to house allowed in Sydney? If so, what are the regulations you need to abide and what dimensions are allowed?
NBHome is the number one authority when it comes to carports in Sydney. We can help you design and build a carport in front of your house that complies with local council regulations. You don’t have to worry about the specifications because we’ll take care of everything for you. All you need to think about is the design you want for your carport.
Local Council Sydney Regulations
A carport is defined as a structure mainly used for housing a vehicle that is open on at least two sides and one third of the carport’s total perimeter. According to the Building Code of Australia (BCA), a carport is classified as a Class 10a Building. If you’re planning to build a carport in front of house, there are some considerations you have to make to ensure that your structure is compliant.
In NSW, homeowners are only allowed one carport for every residential dwelling on the site. But if your property is less than 8 metres wide and there is no vehicle access from a secondary road, you cannot build a carport in your area. Carports in NSW generally don’t need a building permit, except for properties that are on a foreshore or on a heritage or draft heritage item.
So what are the regulations for carports built in front of a residential building?
First, you need to make sure that the carport is at least one metre behind the property boundary facing a public road. If your home is located on a standard residential building block on a regular suburban street, then your home will be set back 6 metres from your front boundary. This means that you are not allowed to build a carport or any structure within this 6 metre area.
If your house is built in bushfire prone land, you have to use non-combustible materials if the carport is within 5 metres of another structure. Aside from these regulations, other considerations for building a carport attached to house include the size of the carport, the look you want to achieve, and the materials used.