Converting a Garage to a Habitable Room

Converting a garage to a habitable room of any description or use requires approval.

Do I need approval?

Yes, you need approval. A garage is classed as a non-habitable room. Converting it to a room used for normal domestic activities requires approval.

This could include use as, for example, a:

  • Bedroom
  • Living room
  • Lounge room
  • Music room
  • Television room
  • Kitchen
  • Dining room
  • Sewing room
  • Study
  • Playroom
  • Family room
  • Home theatre
  • Sunroom

There are various considerations in granting approval including but not limited to providing the required amount of parking elsewhere, ensuring the space has a minimum 2.4m ceiling height, ensuring dampproof coursing is adequate and setbacks are compliant.

If the garage is detached additional Bushfire control measures may apply.

I need a Development Application (DA). What do I do?

You will need to lodge a Development Application with Council.

The NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment has a useful guide to the DA process.