Do I need a building permit?
Not every construction project needs a building permit. But, all construction projects must follow building codes and regulations. This is true even for those exempt from a permit.
If you are an owner-builder, it is your responsibility to conduct a self-assessment to confirm the project's compliance with these regulations.
To see if your project needs a permit, check the list below. If you have any uncertainty or questions, please contact a Building Surveyor. You can also consult with a registered builder or contact the Victorian Building Authority (VBA). Council does not have an onsite Municipal Building Surveyor.
Common types of building work
The list below should be used as a guide only. We recommend you view the VBA's full listing: When is a Building Permit required?
| Works |
Building permit required? |
| To a dwelling or any other building |
Yes |
| Works |
Building permit required? |
| Structural alterations to a dwelling or any other building |
Yes |
| Removal of or alteration to a load bearing part of a building |
Yes |
| Remodelling a bathroom or kitchen, replacing internal walls cladding (like for like) that does not include structural alterations |
No |
| Works |
Building permit required? |
| Building a garage/ carport larger than 10m2 in area |
Yes |
| Demolishing a freestanding garage/ carport, not made of masonry, not more than 40m2 in floor area, is not a building on the Heritage Register and the work will not adversely affect public safety or those occupying the building |
No |
| Works |
Building permit required? |
| Building a deck |
Yes |
| Works |
Building permit required? |
| Building a side fence up to 2m high |
No |
| Building a brick front fence more than 1.2m high |
Yes |
| Building a timber front fence less than 1.5m in height and not within 9m of a point of intersection of street alignments |
No |
| Building a side or boundary fence more than 2m high |
Yes |
| Building a fence that is more than 1m high, and not within 9m of a point of intersection of street alignments (corner block) |
Yes |
| Building a chain wire tennis court fence |
No |
| Works |
Building permit required? |
| Hail netting that is permeable and used for agricultural purposes supported on posts not greater than 3m in height with tensioned cables fixed to the ground |
No |
| Works |
Building permit required? |
| 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 |
| Works |
Building permit required? |
| Re-blocking, restumping or underpinning an existing building |
Yes |
| Works |
Building permit required? |
| Constructed on or near site boundaries (any height) where there is a risk of damage of adjoining property |
Yes |
| Building a retaining wall 1m or more in height |
Yes |
| Building a retaining wall less than 1m not associated with any building work or with protection of adjoining property |
No |
| Works |
Building permit required? |
| Replacing corrugated iron roofing with concrete or terracotta roofing tiles |
Yes |
| Replacing concrete or terracotta roofing tiles with corrugated iron roofing (this can affect the wind up lift on the roof structure) |
Yes |
| Replacing corrugated iron roofing with similar corrugated iron sheeting ("Colourbond") and no replacement of structural battens |
No |
| Replacing corrugated iron roofing with another pre-finished metal sheeting which requires the installation of structural battens. |
No |
| Works |
Building permit required? |
| Building a freestanding shed, 10m2 or less in area, 3m less in height, setback 1m or more from the boundary and located no further forward than the front wall of the single dwelling |
No |
| Building a shed more than 10m2 in area |
Yes |
| Works |
Building permit required? |
|
Shipping container used for:
- personal/domestic storage
- farm or machinery storage
- commercial purposes
- habitable purposes
|
Yes |
Use of the shipping container for storage or as a building
- There must be a dwelling on your property. A shipping container cannot be kept on vacant land.
- A shipping container used for storage or as a building such as a studio or rumpus room will be classified as a shed or outbuilding under the Planning Scheme.
- A planning permit for building and works to site a shipping container on your property may be required and will depend on your property's planning zones and overlays.
- Shipping containers used for storage or as an outbuilding will require a building permit and must comply with the requirements of the building regulations and all the relevant parts of the National Construction Code.
| Works |
Building permit required? |
| More than 1m in height and within 3m of the street alignment |
Yes |
| More than 8m above ground level and 6m2 in display area |
Yes |
| Works |
Building permit required? |
| Building a swimming pool or spa greater than 300mm in depth |
Yes |
| Swimming pool fencing |
Yes |
| Works |
Building permit required? |
| Building a verandah |
Yes |
| Works |
Building permit required? |
| Replacing windows with similar type windows, where no structural alterations are required |
No |
| Installing 'bay' or 'corner' type windows, where structural alterations are required |
Yes |
| Works |
Building permit required? |
| Installing a wood heater (solid fuel burning appliances) |
No |