Whether you’re looking to add some extra space to your garden or simply want a place where your children can play, a Wendy house is a great option. If you want to erect one in your garden, there are a few things you need to consider. To begin with, you must know whether or not permission from the local council is required. There are also other factors that may affect whether or not the local authority will allow you to build on your property. In this article, we will discuss the difference between garden sheds and Wendy houses, as well as how building regulations may affect your decision about erecting one of these structures in your backyard or garden area.
Distinction Between A Wendy House And A Garden Shed
In South Africa, there is a clear distinction between a Wendy house and a garden shed. A Wendy house is normally a wooden play house that can be used for children’s play. It may be erected on the owner’s property without needing any building permit from the local council. However, if it is more than 2 metres high (or 1 metre high if it faces your neighbour’s property) you will need to get permission from the municipality before you start building it.
A garden shed is usually used for storage of tools, equipment or gardening supplies and often has open shelving inside so that nothing gets wet during rainy weather depending on where you live in South Africa. Garden sheds are also often used as home offices or studios since they tend to provide some protection against inclement weather conditions such as strong winds; this makes them an ideal place to work when bad weather causes havoc with power lines/electrical cables etc.
A Wendy house is the term used for the wooden playhouses that are often erected in children’s gardens. They are similar to the traditional tree house, but smaller, and more like a pavilion than an actual house. The word “Wendy” is derived from J M Barrie’s Peter Pan character, who would build such structures himself.
These wooden structures may need permission from your municipal council before they can be erected. Thus, you need to check with your local municipal council to see if you need permission to erect a Wendy house.
The Council Will Want to Know:
- What type of structure you are planning to build/install and where it will be situated;
- Whether this is an accessory building or permanent structure (this will determine whether you have to apply for a building permit); and
- The type of material the Wendy house is made from (wood, metal etc).
If you decide to go ahead with erecting your Wendy house, then you must determine whether or not it will be an accessory building or a permanent structure. If it’s an accessory building then there is no need for permission from the local council but if it’s going to be a permanent structure then you’ll have to apply for a building permit. There are some other important considerations when deciding on this type of structure: Where exactly are you planning to put up your wendy house?
Your Local Council Will Determine If The Permission You Seek Is To Erect A Wendy House For Recreation Or As A Permanent Structure
A Wooden Wendy house can be used for either temporary or permanent purposes, and your local council will make this distinction. The difference between the two is that if the structure is designated as temporary, it has to be removed after 12 months of use.
A temporary structure may be a Wendy house, poolside gazebo, garden shed or similar structure. A permanent structure requires plans to be submitted and approved by the council before any work can commence. Structures of this nature are zoned for a specific use, and your local council will decide whether it is for recreation only or as a permanent structure.
The answer is “it depends”. For example, if your children have outgrown their playhouse and you would like to convert it into a garden shed, you must first determine whether or not your home has the necessary permissions in place to do so.
If your children’s Wendy house was built on a permanent foundation (such as concrete slabs), then you will need to apply for permission from the local council before converting it into a garden shed. If the Wendy house was built without being attached to the ground or any kind of permanent foundation, then there will be no issue with removing it and re-erecting it elsewhere in your yard – so long as it meets certain criteria.
To convert a playhouse into a garden shed, the Wendy house needs to be built to the same specifications as any other prefabricated building in South Africa. For instance, a Wendy house cannot have walls or roofing made from corrugated iron or any other type of metal sheeting.
Another thing to keep in mind is that converting a playhouse into a garden shed requires council permission. If your home has a Wendy house on its property, you should contact the council before converting it into a garden shed or other structure. This way, you will avoid any possible legal problems later on down the line.
The Criteria For Obtaining Permission To Erect A Wendy House Vary Depending On Where You Live
The criteria for obtaining permission to erect a Wendy house vary depending on where you live. For example, in Cape Town, a Wendy house is considered an accessory building (or ‘permanent structure’) if it:
- Is used for residential purposes; and
- Is partially or wholly constructed of brick or stone; and
- Has an area of at least 30 square metres.
According to the City of Cape Town, you need the council’s permission to build a permanent structure on your property. However, if you are building a Wendy house in one of the following instances you do not need permission: Your Wendy house is for storage only (not residential use), or It does not have an area of at least 30 square metres; or It doesn’t have any foundation (or has a gravel, ash or sand base); or It’s less than 1 metre above ground level.
You can apply for permission to build a Wendy house through the City’s Building Management Department. You will need to pay a fee and provide the following information:
In some municipalities around South Africa, a Wendy house can be seen as an accessory building and may not need permission from the local council. Others consider erecting a Wendy house to be built in terms of Section 2 of the National Building Regulations and require building plans to be submitted. Building plans must be drawn up by a competent architect or professional designer approved by the municipal council, who will then issue permission for construction.
Building Plans Must Be Submitted Before Any Work Commences
If your council requires that building plans are presented before they will give permission ensure these are drawn up by a competent architect or professional designer. Building plans must be drawn up according to the building regulations in your municipality. The architect or professional designer will ensure that the design meets these requirements concerning dimensions and materials used, as well as the location on site and layout of the building. Planning permission is not granted until all fees have been paid (including inspection fees).
You may not need permission from the local council to erect a playhouse in your garden, but it depends on where you live.
If you’re planning to build a Wendy house for your children or grandchildren, then there are many things that you will need to consider. You may want to buy one in South Africa, but before doing so you must check with your local council’s planning department for any restrictions on building temporary structures such as this type of playhouse.
Although some councils do require written approval before erecting anything on land (including Wendy houses), others will allow them without any issues at all – provided that there is no objection from neighbouring properties or other persons who use the local area frequently.
Buy A Quality and Durable Wendy House From Wendys Online
Wendy House Online has a wide range of Wendy Houses for sale in Gauteng. Wendys Online is the best place to buy a new Wendy House, as they have a wide selection of Wendy Houses available online. They have sturdy, durable and affordable Wendy houses that are available for delivery to where you want them installed.
They can help you with finding the perfect Wendy house for your children. They have a wide range of styles and designs to choose from, all of which are made from quality materials and designed to last for years. Please contact them on 011 568 7175 or sales@wendysonline.co.za if you need any assistance with buying a Wendy house. Remember: whether you need your council’s permission to erect or install a Wendy house depends on where you are in South Africa.