Outbuildings in the Bushfire Management Overlay (BMO)

The BMO includes streamlined bushfire protection requirements for outbuildings.

What is classified as an outbuilding?

In Australia, an outbuilding is a permanent, detached structure on a property that is separate from the main house and used for purposes other than the primary dwelling.

Common examples include sheds, garages, carports, gazebos, and stables. Outbuildings are generally classified as non-habitable structures (Class 10a) for purposes like storage, workshops, or hobbies, but they can sometimes be habitable (Class 1a) if they are designed and approved for living in, such as a granny flat or sleepout.

 Small outbuildings with a floor area of less than 100 square meters do not require a planning permit. Outbuildings with a floor area of 100 square meters or more have preset bushfire protection measures to make preparation and assessment of these applications simpler.

Using preset bushfire protection measures means an application will not need an individual Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) assessment, prepare a bushfire management statement or be referred to the CFA.

You do not have to use the preset bushfire protection measures. However an application that does not meet all of the preset bushfire protection measures will be assessed through the standard Bushfire Management Overlay (BMO) process.

For more information, follow this link to the Victorian Department of Planning and Transport.

Or just give us a call, Morrahan Services.