Do I need a building permit?
If you plan to build or renovate, you may need a building permit before commencing work.
A building permit is different to a planning permit. In some cases, you need both a building and planning permit. You must obtain a planning permit before you can apply for a building permit. Visit our planning permits page for more information.
Most building work in Victoria requires a building permit. This may include:
- the construction of a new building such as a dwelling, shed or garage
- alterations or additions to an existing building
- demolition of an existing building
- change of use to a building
- other works including decks, balconies, verandas, pergolas, fences and swimming pools.
Not all building projects require a building permit. Below you will find a list of common building works that may or may not require a building permit. This should be used as a guide only.
For more information on whether you need a permit, see:
Common types of building work
|
Building permit required?
|
| Additions |
| Additions to a dwelling or any other building |
Yes |
| Alterations |
| Structural alteration to a dwelling or any other building |
Yes |
| Removal or alteration to a load bearing part of a building |
Yes |
| Carport or garage |
| Freestanding with floor area not exceeding 10sqm, no more than 3m high, not constructed of masonry and located no further forward on the allotment than the associated building |
No |
| Attached to another building |
Yes |
| Setback less than the associated building |
Yes |
| Demolition or removal |
| Demolition or removal or 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 |
Yes |
| Fences |
| Construction of a side or boundary fence less than 2m high |
No |
| Construction of a brick fence more than 1.2m high |
Yes |
| Construction of a timber or colorbond front fence more than 1.5m high |
Yes |
| Construction of a fence more than 1m high, within 9m of the point of intersection of street alignment |
Yes |
| Construction of a chain wire tennis court fence |
No |
| Construction of a corner fence more than 1m high within a 9m boundary of the point of intersection, more than 1.5m high on the front boundary or more than 2m high on the side boundary |
Yes |
| Construction of a dividing or common boundary fence that also acts as part of an enclosure to a spa or swimming pool |
Yes |
| Fire hydrant |
| Installation and deletion of, and/or alternations to fire hydrants within property boundaries |
Yes |
| Mast or antenna |
| Height more than 3m above the highest point of a building (if attached to a building) |
Yes |
| Height more than 8m above the ground (if not attached to a building) |
Yes |
| Pergola |
| Construction of a pergola (unroofed) associated with a house, not exceeding 20sqm, not more than 3m high and located no further forward on the allotment than the dwelling |
No |
| Construction of a pergola (unroofed) associated with any other building |
Yes |
| Retaining wall |
| Constructed on or near site boundaries (any height) in order to maintain the stability of the adjoining property |
Yes |
| Construction of a retaining wall 1m or more in height |
Yes |
| Reblocking |
| Reblocking or restumping of an existing building |
Yes |
| Roofing |
| Replacement of corrugated iron roofing with concrete or terracotta roofing tiles |
Yes |
| Replacement of corrugated iron roofing with colorbond or other prefinished sheeting |
No |
| Signs |
| More than 1m above ground level within 3m of the street alignment |
Yes |
| More than 8m above ground level, and more than 6sqm in a display area and more than 3m from the street alignment boundary |
Yes |
| Shed |
| Erection of a shed less than 10sqm in area, no more than 3m high, not constructed of masonry and located no further forward on the allotment than the associated building |
No |
| Erection of a shed more than 10sqm in area |
Yes |
| Swimming pool or spa |
| Construction of an in-ground pool or spa greater than 300mm in depth. All swimming pool/spa safety barriers require a building permit. |
Yes |
| Verandah |
| Construction of a verandah attached to any other building |
Yes |
| Water tank |
| Water tank associated with new construction of, or additions to a building |
Yes |
| Windows |
| Replacement of windows with similar type windows, where no structural alterations are required |
No |
| Installation of bay or corner type windows where structural alterations are required |
Yes |
| Wood heater |
| Installation of a wood heater (solid fuel burning appliance) |
No |
If you require a building permit, you will need to appoint a building surveyor. This can either be a private building surveyor or a surveyor at Council.
Visit our building permit process page to get started.