Installing a Pergola? Here's What You Need to Know About Council Permits in NSW

A common concern for homeowners that shop with us is whether they need to obtain council approval for their pergola. We're excited to share that we have received official confirmation from the NSW government regarding the regulations surrounding pergola installations — and, in most cases, you won’t need a council permit!

While this is specific to NSW, we’ll be sharing the official responses from other local governments as we receive them so you elevate your backyard with confidence.

Here are the key points from the NSW Government:

• Size Limitation: The structure should not exceed 25 square metres. Our pergolas comfortably fall within this range, with only our largest pergola (4 x 8 metres) requiring a permit.

• Height Restriction: The height of the pergola should not exceed 3 metres. With a standing height of 2.3 metres, our pergolas easily meet this regulation.

• Metal Components: If metal components are used, they should not reflect light and should be pre-coloured at the factory. While our pergolas are made from sturdy aluminium, they undergo a high-quality powder coating process in the factory to ensure they reflect minimal light, meeting this requirement.

• Bushfire-Prone Areas: If you live in a bushfire-prone area and you’d like your pergola to be within 5 metres of your home, it must be made of non-combustible material. The good news is that the aluminium and polycarbonate used as well as the powder coating process ensure this criteria is met.

With these points in mind, you can confidently proceed with your pergola installation without the hassle of obtaining a council permit in NSW — unless you’re going big with our 4 x 8 metre option.

We still recommend that you read the official NSW government information yourself so you can understand the finer details. Check them out below:

https://cosydeals.com.au/pergola_rules.pdf
https://cosydeals.com.au/11238221.pdf