Do I need a building permit?

It is important to always check before you start building works to ensure you have the necessary permits.

The Building Regulations 2006 specify 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.
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Do I need a building permit?
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
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
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
Pergolas
Not more than 3.6m high, 20m2 in area and located at the rear of the building to which it is associated
 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 wall
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 prefinished 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 are Yes
Swimming pool or spa
Construction of an in-ground pool or spa greater than 300mm in depth Yes
Verandahs
Construction of a verandah attached to any other 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
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