When you need a building permit

You need a permit for:

• additions to a dwelling or any other building.

You need a permit for:

• structural alterations to a dwelling or any other building
• removal of, or alteration to, a load-bearing part of a building
• alteration to a building that involves work to an essential safety measure within the meaning of the Act and Regulations. This includes exit and emergency lighting, hose reels and sprinklers
• installation of solar panels. Learn more about installation and permits for solar panels in our solar guide.

Download solar guide(PDF, 129KB)

You need a permit for works:

• attached to another building
• where the setback is less than the associated building
• involving the erection of a shed more than 10 m² in area.

You don't need a permit for works where:

• it is freestanding, with a floor area up to 10 m²  and no more than 3 m in height (if 1m off the boundary), or 2.4 m in height (if within 1 m of the boundary)
• the planned building is not constructed of brick
• the planned building is no further forward on the allotment than the associated building.

Please note that the consent of a service authority may be required to construct a building of this nature over an easement.

If your project involves the demolition or removal of a building or any part of its facade, you may need a building permit.

Find out what you need to consider before you demolish or remove a building. 

You need a permit :

• if you intend to build over an easement. Before applying for a building permit you must first obtain consent from any service authorities who have rights to your easement. Find out more about building over easements.

You need a permit for:

• a side or rear boundary fence more than 2m high
• a fence or screen more than 1m high and within 9m of the point of intersection of street alignment
• a brick, timber or Colorbond fence within 9m of the point of intersection of street alignment.

Depending on your plans, you may need a permit to build a front, side, back, or corner fence on your property. 

Find out more about fences.

You need a permit for masts or antennas that are:

• more than 3 m above the highest point of a building (if attached to a building)
• more than 8 m above ground level (if not attached to a building).

You need a permit for:

• an unroofed pergola associated with any other building.

You don't need a permit for an unroofed pergola associated with a house if it is:

• up to 20 m² in area
• up to 3.6 m high
• no further forward on the allotment than the associated building.

If the pergola has a roof, please see section below on Verandas.

You need a permit for retaining walls:

• on or near site boundaries (any height) in order to maintain the stability of the adjoining property
• 1 m or more in height.

You need a permit for:

• re-blocking, underpinning or re-stumping of an existing building.

You need a permit for:

• replacement of corrugated iron roofing with concrete or terracotta roofing tiles.

You don't need a permit for:

• replacement of corrugated iron roofing with Colorbond or other pre-finished sheeting.

You need a permit for signs that are more than:

• 8 m above ground level
• 6 m² in display area
• 3 m from the street allotment boundary.

You don't need a permit for signs that are:

• less than 1 m above ground level
• within 3 m of the street alignment.

You need a permit for:

• construction and/or installation of a swimming pool or spa pool that can contain water more than 300 mm deep.

Find out more about building and installing swimming pools and spas.

You need a permit for construction of:

• a veranda
• a deck
• decking.

You need a permit to install:

• bay or corner type windows where structural alterations are required.

You don't need a permit to:

• replace windows with similar type windows, where no structural alterations are required.

You don't need a permit for:

• installation of a wood heater (solid fuel burning appliance). Must be installed by a licensed plumber.

Building Permits and other exemptions - Practice Note(PDF, 234KB)