Tiny Homes

Small structures can be a great addition to your property, whether as extra space or a cost-effective independent dwelling. However, tiny homes, containers and pods are still subject to building laws and must comply with Australian Standards therefore a structure purchased outside of Australia may not comply resulting in an unusable structure.

Under the Building Act 2016, all building work in Tasmania, including the construction of an ancillary dwelling (such as a secondary dwelling or granny flat), must comply with the Building Act 2016 and the National Construction Code (NCC). This means the structure must be designed by a licensed designer, approved by a licensed building surveyor, and constructed by a licensed builder (or an owner may apply for an owner builder licence through CBOS). Any plumbing work is also subject to approvals and must be carried out by a licensed plumber. All of these licenced practitioners must be accredited in Tasmania. These requirements ensure the building is safe, compliant and suitable for occupation.

If the structure is built on wheels (for example, a caravan or trailer) and is eligible for registration as a vehicle with the Tasmanian Motor Vehicle Registry (Department of State Growth), it is not classified as a building. In these cases, building approval is not required. However, if this structure is anyway connected to the ground by any form of construction or plumbing work then it’s no longer considered registerable and will require a building approval. Please note: planning requirements may also apply.

To learn more about your obligations when considering an additional dwelling or a structure on wheels, view the CBOS factsheet or contact our Planning team on 6382 8800