Do I need a building permit?

It is important to always check before you start building works to ensure you have the necessary permits. There are many types of renovation, alteration and building works that require a permit so check the table below or call Moyne Shire Council's Building Unit if you are unsure. The Building Regulations 2006 specity that the need for a building permit is based on the scope of building work rather than the value of work, which means structures such as garages, carports and pergolas need a building permit.

The table below lists common types of building work and whether you need to obtain a building permit from Council. This list is not exhaustive so please check with Council before you build.

Phone Moyne Shire Council's Building Unit on (03) 5568 0555 or 1300 656 564 for the cost of a local call.

Type 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   Yes     Removal of or alteration to a load bearing part of a building   Yes     Carports/garages        Construction of a garage/carport larger than 10m2 in area   Yes     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   No     Fences        Construction of a side or boundary fence less than 2m high and not within 3m of a street alignment   No     Construction of a brick front fence not more than 1.2m high and not within 9m of a point of intersection of street alignments   No     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   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 alignments   Yes     Construction of a chain wire tennis court fence   No     Masts/antennas        Height more than:        3m above the highest point of a building   Yes     not attached to a building and height more than 8m above the ground   Yes     Pergolas        Not more than 3.6m high, 20m2 in area and located at the rear of the building to which it is appurtenant   No     Construction of a pergola located further forward than 2.5m forward of the front wall of the single dwelling   Yes     Reblocking        Reblocking or restumping of an existing building   Yes     Retaining walls        Constructed on or near site boundaries (any height)   Yes     Construction of a retaining wall 1m or more in height   Yes     Roofing        Replacement of corrugated iron roofing with concrete or terracotta roofing tiles   Yes     Replacement of corrugated iron roofing with "Colorbond" or other pre-finished sheeting   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   No     Erection of a shed more than 10m2 in area   Yes     Signs        More than 1m in height and within 3m of the street alignment   Yes     More than 8m above ground level and more than 6m2 in display area   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   No     Installation of "bay" or "corner" type windows where structural alterations are required   Yes     Wood heaters        Installation of a wood heater (solid fuel burning appliance)   No