Do I need a building permit?
Building
Do I need a building permit?
Building permits are legal documents that signify that a building surveyor has approved building work prior to it commencing.
Undertaking building work without obtaining the necessary building permit is a serious offence and can result in severe penalties. The Building Act 1993 (Victoria) prescribes a penalty of up to $10,000 for any persons who carry out work without a permit.
To apply for a building permit, you will need to complete Application for Building Permit(PDF, 266KB), submit plans and other required documentation to demonstrate the proposed building work will comply with the Building Regulations.
The table below lists common types of building work and whether or not a building permit is required to commence works. This list is not exhaustive so it is important to Contact a Building Officer before building or undertaking any works. It is also important to consult with Council to find out whether a planning permit is required for any of the proposed works. A planning permit is required prior to a building permit being issued and works commencing.
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Common Types of Building Work
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Permit Required?
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ADDITIONS
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Additions to a dwelling or any other building
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ALTERATIONS
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Structural alternations to a dwelling or any other building
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Removal of/or alteration to a load bearing part of a building
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CARPORTS/GARAGES
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Freestanding with floor area not exceeding 10m2, no more than 3m high, not constructed of masonry and located no further forward on the allotment than the associated building
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Attached to another building
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Setback less than the associated building
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DEMOLITION/REMOVAL
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Demolition or removal of part or all of a building. Owner-builders must provide the relevant building surveyor with evidence that the demolisher has the necessary knowledge, experience, equipment and storage facilities to properly conduct the demolition.
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FENCES
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Construction of a side or boundary fence less than 2m high
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Construction of a brick front fence more than 1.2m high
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Construction of a timber front fence less than 1.5m high
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Construction of a side or boundary fence more than 2m high
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Construction of a fence that is more than 1m high, within 9m of the point of intersection of street alignment
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Construction of a chain wire tennis court fence
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MASTS/ANTENNAS
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Height more than 3m above the highest point of a building (if attached to a building)
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Height more than 8m above the ground (if not attached to a building)
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PERGOLAS
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Construction of a pergola (unroofed)associated with a house, not exceeding 20m2 in area, not more than 3m high and located no further forward on the allotment than the dwelling
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Construction of a pergola (unroofed) associated with any other building
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RETAINING WALLS
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Constructed on or near site boundaries (any height) in order to maintain the stability of the adjoining property
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Construction of a retaining wall 1m or more in height
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REBLOCKING
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Reblocking or restumping of an existing building
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ROOFING
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Replacing of corrugated iron roofing with concrete or terracotta roofing tiles
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Replacement of corrugated iron roofing with 'Colorbond' or other prefinished sheeting
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SIGNS
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More than 1m above ground level within 3m of the street alignment
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More than 8m above ground level, and more than 6m2 in display area and more than 3m from the street allotment boundary
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SHEDS
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Erection of a shed less than 10m2 in area, no more than 3m high, not constructed of masonry and located no further forward on the allotment than the associated building
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Erection of a shed more than 10m2 in area
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SWIMMING POOLS/SPAS
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Construction of an in-ground pool/spa greater than 300mm in depth
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VERANDAHS
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Construction of a veranda attached to any building
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WINDOWS
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Replacement of windows with similar type windows, where no structural alterations are required
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Installation of 'bay' or 'corner' type windows where structural alterations are required
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WOOD HEATER
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Installation of a wood heater (solid fuel burning appliance)
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