Building permit requirements
As part of the Building Regulations 2006 building permit requirements are now based on the scope of building work rather than the value of work, implying the need for garages, carports and pergolas to have a permit.
The following table lists common types of building work and whether they are subject to a building permit. Please consult your municipal or private building surveyor regarding the technical provisions that apply.
|
Common types of building work |
Building Permit required? |
|
ADDITIONS Additions to a dwelling or any other building |
Yes |
|
ALTERATIONS Structural alterations to a dwelling or any other building Removal of or alteration to a load bearing part of a building |
Yes Yes |
|
CARPORTS/GARAGES Construction of a garage/carport larger than 10m2 in area Demolition of freestanding garage/carport not constructed of masonry, not more than 40m2 in floor area, is not a building on the Heritage Register and the work will not adversely affect the safety of the public or occupiers of the building. |
Yes
No |
|
FENCES Construction of a side or boundary fence less than 2m high and not within 3m of a street alignment
Construction of a brick front fence not more than 1.2m high and not within 9m of a point of intersection of street alignments
Construction of a timber front fence not more than 1.5m in height and not within 9m of a point of intersection of street alignments
Construction of a side or boundary fence more than 2m high
Construction of a fence that is more than 1m high, within 9m of the point of intersection of street alignments
Construction of a chain wire tennis court fence |
No
No
No
Yes
Yes
No |
|
MASTS/ANTENNAS Height more than - 3m above the highest point of a building - Not attached to a building and height more than 8m above the ground |
Yes Yes |
|
PERGOLAS Not more than 3.6m high, 20m2 in area and located at the rear of the building to which it is appurtenant
Construction of a pergola located further forward than 2.5m forward of the front wall of the single dwelling |
No
Yes |
|
REBLOCKING Reblocking or restumping of an existing building |
Yes |
|
RETAINING WALLS Constructed on or near site boundaries (any height) Construction of a retaining wall 1m or more in height |
Yes Yes |
|
ROOFING Replacement of corrugated iron roofing with concrete or terracotta roofing tiles
Replacement of corrugated iron roofing with 'Colorbond' or other pre-finished sheeting |
Yes
No |
|
SHED ASSOCIATED WITH A SINGLE DWELLING Erection of a freestanding shed 10m² alignment or less in area, 3m or less in height, or, if situated within 1m of a boundary, is no more than 2.4m in height and located no further forward than the front wall of the single dwelling
Erection of a shed more than 10m² in area |
No
Yes |
|
SIGNS More than 1m in height and within 3m of the street alignment
More than 8m above ground level, and more than 6m² in display area |
Yes
Yes |
|
SWIMMING POOLS/SPAS Construction of an in-ground or above-ground swimming pool/spa greater than 300mm in depth |
Yes |
|
VERANDAHS Construction of a verandah attached to any building |
Yes |
|
WINDOWS Replacement of windows with the same windows, where no alteration to the opening is required
Installation of "bay" or "corner" type windows where structural alterations are required |
No
Yes |
|
WOOD HEATER Installation of a wood heater (solid fuel burning appliance) |
No |
