Before applying for a building permit, you need to appoint a building surveyor.

Local councils and private building surveyors can issue building permits, undertake inspections and issue occupancy permits/certificates of final inspections. 

For more information, phone the Building Unit on 9262 6303. Alternatively, look for a private building surveyor using eToolbox or by visiting the Australian Institute of Building Surveyors website.

To obtain a building permit, you or your agent can complete an application form and submit this to your appointed building surveyor with the relevant documentation.

Providing the Correct Information

Your building surveyor will advise you which documents to submit which may include, though not limited to:

• Evidence that your builder is registered with the Building Practitioners Board if your project is worth more than $10,000. If the work is worth more than $16,000, you will also need to show evidence that your builder has the correct insurance. You can check if your building practitioner is registered by searching on the Victorian Building Authority website.
• Three sets of plans drawn to professional standard.
• A copy of the current certificate of title for the land (a certificate of title can be downloaded from Landata issued within the last 3 months. Information to assist in this process is available at Request a Copy of Title.
• A copy of the planning permit, if required.

Lodge to Council as your Building Surveyor

If you would like to appoint a Municipal Building Surveyor to assess and issue your Building Permit please follow the steps below.

• Download the Building Permit checklist ( PDF 162.07KB) for a list of all documents required for your application.
• Download the Application for Building Permit form ( PDF 718.49KB) 
• Send documents to customer.service@whitehorse.vic.gov.au or post to Whitehorse City Council, Building Department, Locked Bag 2, Nunawading 3101.
• Council will contact the applicant to advise if documents are sufficient for assessment and for formal lodgement.
• Once documents are sufficient, you will be invoiced and can pay online.  Alternatively, you can download the Credit Card form ( PDF 636.51KB) and email or post to us to complete your lodgement.

If your building project does not meet a siting requirement of the Building Regulations 2018, your building surveyor will inform you to obtain a report and consent from Council before a building permit can be issued. 

If all the information you provide is accurate and complete the building surveyor will either approve or refuse the building permit. If your permit application is refused, you can either change the design to comply with Building Legislation. 

Inspections are an integral part of the building permit process and occur at key points during the construction and development project. With new homes, for example, a Building Surveyor will inspect your property:

• Prior to the placement of footings
• When the frame is up
• Other times deemed necessary
• When your building is ready to be occupied

It is vital that you ensure that your builder arranges for these inspections to occur. If they have not taken place, you may not be authorised to occupy your building once the work is completed.

Sometimes your building surveyor will issue instructions to your builder as a result of one of these inspections. Any direction from your building surveyor should be in writing and your builder must follow that advice.

If you are an owner-builder, you will need to contact your building surveyor and organise these inspections yourself.

Once a building project is complete, following a written application from the agent or owner, the appointed Building Surveyor will undertake the final inspection and depending on the nature of the project issue either:

• an occupancy permit or
• a certificate of final inspection.

In order to get this certificate or permit, your building surveyor may require certificates from tradesmen on the project, such as:

• A plumbing certificate
• A glazing certificate
• An electrical certificate 
• An insulation certificate
• A termite certificate, if in a termite area

It is essential you obtain a copy of either the occupancy permit or the certificate of final inspection, as this signifies that you can legally occupy the building. You should retain this certificate in case you are ever asked for it. 

During a building project, a dispute may arise between the builder and home owner(s). If you become involved in such a dispute, you should attempt to resolve the issue directly with the other party before taking any further action.

If you are a homeowner, please view information on how to address a building dispute on the Building disputes, defects and delays page on the Consumer Affairs Victoria website.

If you are a builder, please view the dispute resolution information on the Builders and tradespeople page on the Consumer Affairs Victoria website.

If the issue remains unresolved after you attempted to resolve it on your own, you can visit the Domestic Building Dispute Resolution Victoria (DBDRV) website to lodge an online application for dispute resolution. DBDRV provide building dispute resolution without the cost and time often associated with courts and tribunals, and has the power to issue legally binding dispute resolution orders and certificates.

An owner-builder is someone who takes responsibility for domestic building work carried out on their own land. An owner-builder is responsible for:

• obtaining building permits,
• supervising or undertaking the building work, and
• ensuring the work meets building regulations and standards.

Some of the obligations of an owner-builder last for six and a half years after completion of the building work.

If the value of the domestic building work to be undertaken is more than $16,000 you must have a certificate of consent from the VBA to be an owner-builder.

Refer to the VBA for further information about owner-builder obligations.

Once you have planning approval you may also need to apply for permits if your proposed work is likely to affect Council assets such as drains, roads, footpaths, or streetscape features.

Developments may need some or all of the following permits, depending on the project.

Stage 1: Before Construction

• Apply for Stormwater (Point of Discharge) Report
• Approval of Civil Plans (where appropriate): Drainage ( PDF 979.93KB) or Subdivision ( PDF 806.14KB)
• Building Over Easement
• Flood Levels

Stage 2: During Construction

• Asset Protection Permit ( PDF 351.13KB)
• Vehicle Crossing Permit
• Drainage Permit
• Utility Connections and Works by Authorities

Stage 3: After Construction Works Are Complete

• Final Inspection and Refund of Bonds (contact Engineering Administration on 9262 6177)
• Drainage Policy No. 1 Applications ( PDF 80.62KB) (where applicable)