Building Permit Process

A building permit is required before the commencement of building works which includes new buildings and demolition and/or alteration to an existing building. A building permit is written approval from a registered building surveyor certifying that your plans comply with the Building Regulations.

A building permit is generally required for:

External work to your building including extensions, verandas, garages and second storeys
External work to your building that requires windows or walls to be moved or altered
Any new building
Demolition of a building
Change of use of a building eg: from warehouse to dwelling, or dwelling to rooming house
A fence
Construction of a swimming pool or spa
Minor structures eg. carports, roller doors etc.
The installation, alteration or removal of any Essential Services

You can contact Council for advice on whether a building permit is required.

Always check that a permit has been issued before any work commences. It is important to remember that it is the owner's responsibility to get the required permits.

Appoint a Building Surveyor

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.

Submit a Building Permit Application

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

Council is not able to offer this service at this time. Please engage a private Building Surveyor to assist you.

Report and Consent (Dispensation)

Issue a Decision

Inspections

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.

Occupancy Permits

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.

Building Disputes

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.

Owner-Builder Obligations

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.

Other Permits and Requirements

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 905.75KB) or Subdivision ( PDF 803.19KB)
Building Over Easement
Flood Levels

Stage 2: During Construction

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)