Planning permits and building permits

Planning permits and building permits are not the same thing. They are controlled by different legislation and regulations.

You may need to get both a planning permit and a building permit. If your project does require both, you must have the planning permit before a building permit can be issued.

Planning permits

These are legal documents that give you permission for a land use or development. It could be for anything from demolishing or extending your house or removing a tree in your garden to running a business from home or getting a liquor licence for a bar.

Planning is about making decisions that affect the environment and everyday life. Planning decisions take into account the impact a new building or land use will have on the neighbourhood and neighbours. These decisions might be about the location of a new restaurant, the removal of trees or building a new house in an area at risk of bushfire.

Council planners are guided by the requirements of the Nillumbik Planning Scheme and the Planning and Environment Act 1987 when we make planning decisions. 

See an overview of the planning permit process.

Building permits

A building permit ensures the building is structurally safe, stable and complies with regulations.

All building work requires a building permit, unless there is an exemption for the proposed work under the regulations. This includes some minor alterations, demolitions and repair or maintenance work.

A building permit will specify that either an occupancy permit is required or a certificate of final inspection is required when the building work is completed.

Building permits are controlled by the Building Act 1993 and Building Regulations 2018.

You can find out more about building by contacting Nillumbik Building Surveyors.

See an overview of the building permit process.

More information

Victorian Building Authority