The Building Permit

These notes apply for Victoria and are more applicable for owner builders. Please check on details if you use the notes in another state.

After you have obtained your planning permit, you will need to obtain a building permit. This will show that the design complies with the conditions of the planning permit and with all current regulations and standards. First of all engage a building surveyor, who will check that requirements have been met. This can be your municipal surveyor who works for the local council, another local council or a private building surveyor. They will also inspect the work at various stages, and issue a 'final certificate" (certificate of occupancy)

Much of the following information can be obtained by your building designer.

The documentation required is:

1/ Geotechnical report (soil test) to determine the load bearing capabilities & reactivity.

2/ If you do not have mains sewerage, a land capability assessment may also be required. This can generally be undertaken by the consultant who does your geotechnical report. The information will be needed to complete the septic tank installation permit.

3/ A septic tank installation permit. This can be obtained by filling in a form obtainable from the local council. It will need to be partially filled in by your plumber who may have copies. A substantial fee is involved.

4/ If the structural design is outside the scope of current guidelines (eg AS 1684 ), a structural engineer's report maybe required. For example a large span beam may require engineer's computations.

5/ If you are in a cyclonic area or an earthquake area, a structural engineer's report may be required anyway.

6/ Three or four sets of plans. These will need to contain a site plan, all elevations, floor plans, section and specifications. The plans will need to take account of the wind loading, also whether the dwelling is in a termite zone & the site is given a bushfire hazard level rating by the local authority. (If the building is in a Wildfire Management Overlay area there will be conditions on the planning permit which also need to be addressed.)

7/ Request for building information. Your building designer or surveyor will need to obtain this information from the local authority

8/ Application form- obtainable from your building surveyor or local council.

9/ An energy rating certificate This proves that the design complies with current energy conservation regulations.-Look under energy raters or energy consultants in the phone book. Your building designer can obtain this document at your request

10/ If you are an owner builder then a certificate of consent must be obtained from the Building Commission (see useful links page)

If you are preparing a budget for your project, Make sure you cost all these items, as the total cost is considerable.

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