How to Secure Council Approval for Your Shed in Ballina

Are you planning to buy and have put up or build a shed in your backyard? Unfortunately, it isn’t as simple as going through with that. It’s not like the old days when anybody could put up whatever kind of structure they liked on their property without regard to anyone. It’s different if you live in some rural area, in the back of beyond, but in urban or suburban areas there are building codes to comply with.

That means getting permission from your local council. That, like most bureaucratic processes, is usually a pain if you don’t know what you are doing. Here at Sarwood Timbers & Building Supplies we have been selling and erecting sheds in Ballina for so long that we know the red tape like the back of our hands. Because of that, we would like to tell you how to secure council approval for your shed in Ballina.

1. First you have to get a planning application form. This is used for all sorts of buildings including sheds. You get those from the local council, so in your case the Ballina Shire Council, either in person, online or by post. Some people hire a planning consultant to do this, so they get it right. If you are unsure how to fill in the application, you can ask the planning department and they assist you.
2. Planning applications have to be paid for and payment fees are expected at the time you submit your application. These fees are subject to review and may well change over time. You can pay by cheque or by credit card. Fees vary depending on the type of development you propose. Planning applications for building sheds are on the lower end of the scale.
3. The Ballina Shire Council will assess your application on the grounds of environmental impact. For simple sheds in Ballina, it is more likely the impact on your neighbours’ welfare than lasting environmental damage that will be looked at.
4. The council will probably ask for supporting documents when assessing your application. These may include a site map or plan, description of the surrounding area and the development. Others may include design of the building, which covers walls, roofs, floor layouts and exact dimensions. Added to that are the construction materials to be used and engineering details which will include excavations proposed and amenities that will be fitted.

To make things much easier, order a shed from us and we will apply for council approval on your behalf (additional fees apply). That way you won’t need to be bothered with a bureaucratic headache. Give us a call or contact us by email today.