Shipping Containers On Your Property

Published on 27 November 2025

Storing and Using Shipping Containers on Your Property

Shipping containers (a removable enclosed container, capable of holding goods for storage, that is not designed to be lifted without mechanical assistance) have become increasingly popular as an alternative method for personal storage, commercial purposes, farm machinery storage, or habitable purposes.  The increased use and sophistication of shipping containers have highlighted the need to have suitable and consistent provisions in place.

A shipping container is deemed a structure and therefore a building within the meaning of The Building Act 1993.  A shipping container used as a building of a Class listed in the National Construction Code (NCC) must comply with the requirements of the Building Act 1993, Building Regulations 2018.

What Permits Do I Need?

Depending on the zoning of your land and desired use of your shipping container, you may require a General Local Law Permit, Building Permit and/or Planning Permit.  Living in shipping containers is not permitted without required approvals.

Farm Use – Storage

• Rural Zone.
• Farm Machinery Storage.

Placing a shipping container for small machinery separately from a farm workshop and machinery shed without having to erect another structure on property.

❌ Planning Permit.  ✔️ Building Permit.  ✔️ General Local Law (Council) Permit.

Township Use – Storage

• Residential Zone.
• Domestic Storage.

Residential property that requires more storage.

❌ Planning Permit.  ✔️ Building Permit.  ✔️ General Local Law (Council) Permit.

Conversion / Build for Other Use

• Residential Zone / Rural Zone.
• Office Space.

Shipping container to be converted for office space, kids’ space or other use with property boundaries.

✔️ Planning Permit.  ✔️ Building Permit.  ❌ General Local Law (Council) Permit.

Permits

General Local Law (Council) Permit

The owner or occupier of any land must not allow a shipping container, or other similar container, to be placed on any land, or to remain on any land, without a permit.  This does not apply where the use is allowed by the land’s Planning Scheme or when a Planning Permit has been issued by the relevant planning authority.

Building Permit

Shipping containers used on properties as a habitable or non-habitable building will require a building permit.  A building permit is to be issued before any building work is carried out, including placing the building/shipping container on the property.

Planning Permit

A shipping container is classified as a store under the Yarriambiack Planning Scheme.  A planning permit for building and works to site an outbuilding/shipping container on your property may be required and will depend on your property’s planning zones and overlays.  An application for a planning permit would be required to be lodged with Council for the use of the land for shipping container storage, with the Planning Services team.  There are several factors that will be considered for any planning application related to shipping containers.