Tiny homes, caravans and transportable granny flats

Yes, regardless of how small or big the ancillary accommodation intends to be.

Under the Planning, Development and Infrastructure Act 2016, the proposed construction of ancillary accommodation requires development approval. The assessment will include both planning and building approval.

All development applications are lodged through the PlanSA portal.

Planning approval – to ensure the proposed ancillary accommodation is appropriately sited and does not negatively impact neighbours or the locality.

Building approval – as a habitable structure, the National Construction Code (NCC), requires it meets the mandated criteria as a safely liveable environment, is connected to water, wastewater facilities, and electricity, with minimum fire and structural provisions. 

There are no existing limitations or restrictions on who can occupy the ancillary dwelling. 

Yes, there is a maximum penalty of $120,000 for undertaking development without approval or undertaking development contrary to an approval that has been issued.

Generally, the use of a caravan does not require development approval unless there is a change in the use of land (e.g. it is being used on vacant or unused land), or the caravan is permanently fixed to the land.

Parking a caravan on land used for residential purposes by a person who is an occupant of a dwelling situated on that land is not development. This would not require development approval, provided the caravan is parked and not “fixed” to the land.

You are able to park your private caravan on private land, however, if someone moves into the caravan to live, planning and building approvals is likely required to ensure the structure is suitable for habitation and does not negatively impact neighbours.

Under the PDI Act, the only circumstances someone will be able to live in a caravan/temporary accommodation on their property, is if their home has been damaged by flood or fire.

A temporary structure may be used as accommodation by the owner of the land provided it is used for a period not exceeding 2 years, or used until a new dwelling is able to be occupied in accordance with the PDI Act.

Yes, as it is considered development. In which, there has been a change in the use of land or there has been building work.

THOWs or any form of moveable/transportable housing is a moveable building or structure that is placed (and often replaced) on land. The PDI Act provides that the act of placing or relocating a moveable/transportable building or structure is development that requires approval.

All development applications must be lodged through the PlanSA portal.

Yes, as it is considered development under the PDI Act; required building work to move/relocate. Hence, requires development approval.

Through the Practice Directions prescribed by the PDI Act, council must undertake inspections of the subject site.

Completed inspections are recorded within the Inspections tab of the relevant application in the PlanSA Portal.

If there are any breaches, issues and/or faults found during the inspection(s), a building rectification will be sent to the builder/owner-builder that submitted the original building notification.

Upon rectification of the breaches, issues and/or faults, the builder/bowner-builder must submit a response to council’s building rectification notification. It will then be determined if a further inspection is required.