Thinking about placing a container home on your land in New South Wales? You're not alone- more and more Aussies are turning to modular and container homes as a cost-effective and flexible housing solution. 

But one of the most common questions we hear is "Do I need council approval for a container home in NSW?"

The short answer is yes, in most cases, but it depends on a few important factors.

Council approval is usually required 

In NSW, council approval is generally required before you can place a container home on your property- especially if it is going to be used as a residence or long-term structure.

This is because most container homes are classified as "structures" or "dwellings" under the NSW Planning System, meaning they must comply with: 

• The Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (EP&A Act)
• The Building Code of Australia (BCA)
• Any relevant Local Environmental Plans (LEPs) or Development Control Plans (DCPs) in your area 

Your local council will assess your application based on factors like:

• Zoning
• Land size
• Bushfire or flood risk
• Building setbacks 
• Access to water, sewage and electricity

What approvals might you need?

If you're planning to install a container home permanently, you'll likely need:

• Development Approval (DA)- for land use and site design
• Construction Certificate (CC)- showing compliance with building standards 
• Occupation Certificate (OC)- allowing you to legally live in the structure

You'll also need to provide things like:

• Site plans 
• Engineering certificates
• Stormwater and wastewater management (especially for rural/ off-grid blocks)
• Energy efficiency reports (BASIX)

Exempt & complying development

There are some exceptions. Under certain conditions, container units may be classified as Exempt or Complying Development, meaning you could skip a full DA. However, this is very rare for full-time dwellings and more common for temporary or non-habitable uses (like storage or site office).

To qualify, your container home must meet strict guidelines on height, setbacks, zoning, and use. Always double-check with your local council before assuming your exempt.

Need help navigating the approval process?

At Home Tech Club, we work with customers all across NSW and can help you understand your local council's requirements, gather the correct documents and choose a container model that's more likely to be approved.

Whether you're building a backyard studio, a rural retreat, or full-time home, we'll guide you every step of the way. Get in touch with us today.