Do I need a Building Permit?
The following table lists common types of building work and whether they are subject to a building permit.
As part of the Building Regulations 2006 building permit requirements are now based on the scope of building work rather than the previous $5,000 limit.
| Common types of building work | 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 | |
| Freestanding, floor area not exceeding 10m2, 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/REMOVAL | |
| Demolition or removal of part or all of a building | Yes |
| FENCES | |
| Construction of a side or boundary fence less than 2m high | No |
| Construction of a brick front fence more than 1m high | Yes |
| Construction of a timber/colourbond front fence less than 1.5m high | 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 (if attached to a building) | Yes |
| 8m above the ground (if not attached to a building) | Yes |
| PERGOLAS | |
| Construction of a pergola (unroofed) associated with a house, not exceeding 20m2 in area, 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 WALLS | |
| 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 | |
| Re-blocking or re-stumping of an existing building | Yes |
| ROOFING | |
| Replacing of corrugated iron roofing with concrete or terracotta roofing tiles | Yes |
| Replacement of corrugated iron roofing with 'Colourbond' or other pre-finished 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 6m2 in display area and more than 3m from the street allotment boundary | Yes |
| SHEDS | |
| Erection of a shed less than 10m2 in area, no more than 3m high, not constructed of masonary and located no further forward on the allotment then the associated building | No |
| Erection of a shed more than 10mē in area | Yes |
| SWIMMING POOLS/SPAS | |
| Construction of an in-ground swimming pool/spa pool greater than 300 mm in depth | Yes |
| VERANDAHS | |
| Construction of a verandah attached to any 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 |