The type of documentation that needs to be attached to your building permit application will depend on the nature of the work you are doing.
Essential items
There are some things that must be attached to every building permit application:
- a completed application form
- copies of architectural drawings
- specifications (these may be included with plans or as a separate document)
- a recent copy of your Certificate of Title and Plan of Subdivision
Additional items
The additional information you need depends on your project's circumstances.
Use the table below to determine which items you need to include with your application.
| Item |
When to attach this item |
How to obtain this item |
| Planning permit with endorsed plans |
If a planning permit is required for your project. |
Apply for a planning permit.
You can apply for a planning permit and a building permit at the same time, but your building permit application will only be processed after your planning permit is approved.
|
| Owner-builder certificate |
If you're an owner-builder, and the cost of building works exceeds $16,000. |
Contact the Victorian Building Authority.
|
| Project or Home Owner's Warranty Insurance by the builder |
If you are doing domestic building works that exceed $16,000 and the work is being completed by a builder.
This does not apply to owner-builders.
|
Seek advice from the builder engaged to complete the works. |
| Structural drawings and computations with a Certificate of Compliance by a civil engineer |
Generally, if an engineer has designed any part of the building or structure. Your designer or builder can provide guidance where required. |
Consult a registered civil engineer in Victoria registered with the Victorian Building Authority. |
| Build over easement consent |
If the proposed work is near or over an easement nominated on the Certificate of Title. Find out more about building over an easement. |
Consult the relevant authority, as listed on the title. Consult the relevant Council department (Infrastructure). |
| Soil report |
Generally, if your project incorporates a building with a footing system. |
Consult a geotechnical engineer. |
| 6 Star Energy Rating report/Part J assessment |
All new building works, except works with no energy efficiency measures such as front fences, must comply with energy efficiency standards. Depending on whether your project is domestic or commercial in nature you will require one of these reports. |
Consult a thermal performance assessor accredited with the Building Designers Association of Victoria or Australian Building Sustainability Association. |
| Bushfire attack level (BAL) assessment |
If your property is located in a designated Bushfire Prone Area, you will need to have a BAL assessment and report prepared to determine the relevant BAL for your property, which will determine the construction requirements appropriate to that level. |
Apply for a bushfire attack level assessment |
| Legal point of discharge |
To ensure stormwater drainage from the proposed works is constructed to your designated legal point of discharge. Typically related to constructing a new dwelling or commercial building on a vacant allotment. |
Request infrastructure information (including the legal point of stormwater discharge) |
|
Report and consent
|
Generally, if your design does not comply with the Building Regulations of Victoria. Find out more about report and consent. |
Apply for report and consent |
In addition to the requirements listed in the general checklist, please ensure your application includes:
- Site plan showing:
- shape, outline and dimensions of the whole allotment
- location of existing dwellings
- location of proposed pool/spa with dimensions from boundaries or existing buildings
- siting and details of proposed safety barriers including materials used
- Elevation views of the safety barriers to indicate compliance with Australian Standard 1926.1 2012
- Specifications describing the materials and dimensions of the swimming pool/spa
- Any relevant engineering computations for the swimming pool/spa together with a Certificate of Compliance – Design by a registered engineer
- Details confirming the reticulation system complies with Australian Standard 1936.3 2010
In additional to the requirements listed in the general checklist, please ensure your application includes:
- Demolisher's registration numbers and details
- Copy of Demolisher’s Public Liability Insurance and work method statement on how the proposed structure will be demolished
- Site plan showing:
- all structures to be demolished clearly highlighted
- details on the type, height and location of the structure/s
- boundary setbacks
- distance to the nearest street
- Where only part of a building is to be removed, include propping plans and computations prepared by a structural engineer demonstrating how the remainder of the building will be structurally adequate.
- Section 29A consent from Council
Architectural and structural drawings for a building permit are usually prepared by an architect or draftsperson. It is important that these drawings include all the required details.
Site plan
All building permit applications must include a site plan.
The site plan has a minimum scale of 1:500.
The following elements must be included in the site plan:
- Boundary and dimensions of the allotments, including any easements and common land
- Distance to the nearest intersecting street
- Position and dimensions (set backs) of any existing and proposed building work in relationship to the allotment boundaries and any existing building(s)
- North point (consistent with the title documents)
- Stormwater drainage, including locations of downpipes, size and locations of stormwater drains and the point of connection to the lawful point of discharge
Note: connecting to the Existing Storm Water Drainage System (ESWDS) is generally accepted for extensions and alterations
- Site contours and locations of any site cut an d/or fill. Site levels of the allotment and floor levels of the building
- Indication of the permeable area of minimum 20 per cent of site
- Location and dimensions of any car parking spaces on the allotment
- Size and location and type of any external screens to be provided to prevent overlooking, including overlooking arc from habitable room windows and raised open spaces (decks, balconies, and so on) within a horizontal distance of 9m (measured at ground level) and within a 45 degree line of sight from 1.7m above the finished floor level
- Shadow diagrams for the hours of sunlight between 9.00am and 3.00pm on 22 September
- Location, dimensions and area of private open space
- Details of the buildings on the adjoining allotments which may be affected by overlooking, overshadowing or the building works. Details to be provided are:
- site area and floor areas
- front and side boundary set backs
- position of all windows, and comment relating to the windows being habitable (this includes set backs to eave and set back to wall where adjacent to a window)
- any north-facing windows (defined as a window with an axis perpendicular to its surface oriented north 20 degrees west to north 30 degrees east)
- location and area of open space, private open space and recreational private open space
- Height of walls in relation to natural ground level
- Height of building in relation to natural ground level
If there are no buildings on the allotment, indicate the vacant area.
Other required drawings
Along with the site plan, the following drawings must also be included with your building permit application:
- Elevation plan (minimum scale 1:100) showing
- Slope of the land
- Height of the structure
- Location of landings, stairs and handrail heights
- Floor plan (minimum scale 1:100) showing
- Existing conditions as well as proposed conditions
- Location of smoke detectors
- Section details (minimum scale 1:100) showing
- Type of footings proposed
- Founding depth
- Type of deck construction
(may be indicated on plans).
Specifications
Technical specifications describing materials to be used in construction must be included with your building permit application. Specifications can be shown on the plans or included as a separate document.
The specification should include structural timber sizes, spans, spacings etc, details of wall and ceiling linings, compliance with relevant BCA sections and Australian Standards and other appropriate information.
A copy of your Certificate of Title and Plan of Subdivision (along with any related documents) must be attached to your building permit application.
There may be restrictions on your property’s certificate of title that you need to be aware of. These are written as encumbrances on the title, and may include a covenant or Section 173 Agreement.
To get a copy of your certificate of title, apply online via Landata.
For guidance on how to apply for your certificate of title, watch our short video: