|
|
|
 |
|
Can I build a carport in my front yard?
This is a question asked very regularly and one that is open to much debate.
On a traditional residential building block, Councils have rules and regulations that control the positioning of buildings and structures on the building block. The regulations that relate most directly to the positioning of carports in front yards is Development Control Plan No.99 (DCP 99).
Having said this, any proposed structure must also meet the specific positioning criteria relating to side and rear boundaries as well.
DCP No. 99 deals with Building Lines or more simply where you can put things on your block in relation to the front boundary.
The following information is taken from the Wyong Council website but relates in general terms to Gosford and Lake Macquarie Councils as well. For specific council information refer the Council Website Links in our Links area.
Why have Building Lines?
Building lines form an important element of building and urban design. The siting of buildings
relative to each other, the public domain and natural features affect issues of health (solar
access, ventilation), safety, privacy, noise amelioration, views, streetscape, provision of
services, retention of vegetation and protection of sensitive areas such as wetlands and lake
foreshores.
General Objectives for Building Lines
To ensure that new development:
• is functional and attractive;
• is designed in accordance with the principles of ecological sustainability;
• relates to its setting and prevailing environmental conditions;
• contributes positively to the quality and character of its locality; and
• takes account of the impact on adjoining and nearby development.
Measurement of Building Lines
Building lines are measured as the shortest distance from the boundary of a site to the wall
of a building. This is a perpendicular measurement from a straight boundary, and in the
case of a curved boundary it is measured perpendicular to the tangent point of the arc. In
the case of a dwelling house, building lines from the street boundary are measured to the
front wall of the dwelling (including balconies, verandas, patios, steps and the like). |
|
|
BUILDING LINES
RESIDENTIAL (Up To 2 Storeys) - FRONT BOUNDARY |
|
|
CATEGORY
* Single DetachedDwelling
* Garages and Carports (whether attached or detached)
* Ancillary Buildings and Structures (eg:
garden sheds, water tanks, pergolas, etc.)
* Dual Occupancy
* Villas
* Townhouses and Residential Flat Buildings.
(For development
exceeding 2 storeys
refer to Development
Control Plan No. 64 -
Guidelines to Medium
and High Density
Residential
Development)
(For development exceeding 2 storeys refer to Development Control Plan No. 64 -
Guidelines to Medium and High Density Residential
Development) |
FRONT BUILDING LINE
Building Façade:
"Category A" roads: 7.5m
"Category B" roads: 6.0m
"Category C" roads: 4.5m
NB: For "Category C" roads, a
6.0m setback applies where:
* the road reserve<12m; and
* the development is proposed on both sides of the road.
Garage or Carport, whether attached or detached:
* 6.0m minimum from the street accessed, excepting
"Category A" roads, where 7.5m applies. |
SPECIAL CONDITIONS
The Building Line applies to the front wall, including patio, steps and balconies.
Any building line less than that identified shall be justified in terms of:
(i) matching or being sympathetic to the desirable
character and placement of adjoining development;
(ii) enhancing the local streetscape;
(iii) retaining reasonable privacy for existing and future residents;
(iv) enabling special design features of the proposed
development such as better energy efficiency, enhanced solar access, reduced cut and fill and/or retention of significant existing vegetation. |
Corner Allotments -
* Single Detached Dwelling, etc.
* Dual Occupancy,
* Villas,
* Townhouses and Residential Flat Buildings |
As above, plus comply with:
"Preservation of Sight Lines":
No building to be erected within
the triangle from the intersection
of the two street boundary lines
formed by a sight line 12m along
the primary road frontage and
6m along |
For single detached dwellings
refer also to requirements
specified within DCP 100 -
Quality Housing. |
|
What does it all mean to me ?
In essence, all of the above information boils down to one general guideline.
If your home is built on a standard residential building block on a normal suburban street then chances are that your home will be set back 6.0 metres from your front boundary. If this is the case, you will more than likely not be allowed to build a carport within this 6.0 metre setback area.
Many people mention that there are carports built in their street that do not comply with the above guidelines. These carports have probably been erected without Council approval or have been the subject of special conditions of approval. The existince of these carports will be unlikely to influence the outcome of your request for approval.
This is general advice only and as such it is always worth taking your request to Council for their opinion as to its chances of approval. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
