When you need a Building Permit
It is important to check before you start building works to ensure you have the necessary permits.
There are many types of renovation, alteration and building works that require a permit so please contact Council if you are unsure.
Building Regulations 2006 specify that the need for a Building Permit is based on the scope of building work rather than the value of work, which means structures such as garages, carports and pergolas need a Building Permit.
| Type of building work |
Building permit required? |
| Additions |
|
| Additions to a dwelling or any other building |
Yes |
| Alterations |
|
| Structural alterations to a dwelling or any other building |
Yes |
| Removal of or alteration to a load bearing part of a building |
Yes |
| Carports/garages |
|
| Construction of a carport/garage larger than 10m2 in area |
Yes |
| Demolition of freestanding carport/garage not constructed of masonry, not more than 40m2 in floor area, is not a building on the Heritage Register or covered by a Heritage overlay in the Planning Scheme and the work will not adversely affect the safety of the public or occupiers of the building |
No |
| Fences |
|
| Construction of a side or boundary fence less than 2m high and not within 3m of a street alignment |
No |
| Construction of a brick front fence not more than 1.2m high and not within 9m of a point of intersection of street alignment |
No |
| Construction of a timber front fence not more than 1.5m high and not within 9m of a point of intersection of street alignment |
No |
| Construction of a side or boundary fence more than 2m high |
Yes |
| Construction of a fence that is more than 1m high, within 9m of the point of intersection of street alignment |
Yes |
| Construction of a chain wire tennis court fence |
No |
| Masts/antennas |
|
| Height more than 3m above the highest point of a building |
Yes |
| Not attached to a building and height more than 8m above the ground |
Yes |
| Pergolas (unroofed) |
|
| Not more than 3.6m high, 20m2 in area and located at the rear of the building to which it is appurtenant |
No |
| Construction of a pergola located further forward than 2.5m forward of the front wall of the single dwelling |
Yes |
| Reblocking |
|
| Reblocking or restumping of an existing building |
Yes |
| Retaining Walls |
|
| Constructed on or near site boundaries (any height) |
Yes |
| Construction of a retaining wall 1m or more in height |
Yes |
| Roofing |
|
| Replacement of corrugated iron roofing with concrete or terracotta roofing tiles |
Yes |
| Replacement of corrugated iron roofing with 'Colorbond' or other pre-finished sheeting |
No |
| Shed associated with a single dwelling |
|
| Erection of a freestanding shed 10m2 alignment or less in area, 3m or less in height, or, if situated within 1m of a boundary, is no more than 2.4m in height and located no further forward than the front wall of the single dwelling |
No |
| Erection of a shed more than 10m2 in area |
Yes |
| Signs |
|
| More than 1m in height and within 3m of the street alignment |
Yes |
| More than 8m above ground level and more than 6m2 in display area |
Yes |
| Swimming pools/spas |
|
| Construction of an in-ground or above-ground swimming pool/spa greater than 300mm in depth |
Yes |
| Verandahs |
|
| Construction of a verandah attached to any building |
Yes |
| Windows |
|
| Replacement of windows within the same opening where no alteration to the opening is required |
No |
| Installation of windows where structural alterations are required |
Yes |
| Wood heaters |
|
| Installation of a wood heater solid fuel burning appliance (Must be installed by a licensed plumber). If you are uncertain of the need for a building permit, please contact Councils Building Surveyor. |
No |