Building permits

What are building permits?

Building permits are the documents that signify that a building surveyor has approved building work prior to its commencement.  The Building Act 1993 and Building Regulations 2006 legislate that most building work is subject to the issuing of a building permit.  This includes most alterations, demolitions and removals. 

Why are building permits issued?

Undertaking building work without obtaining the necessary building permit is a serious offence and can result in severe penalties.

The Building Act prescribes a penalty of $10,000 for any persons who carry out work without a permit.  

However, compliance with the Act and Regulations should not be the key motivator for people when they are arranging a building permit.

The Act and Regulations provide benefits to consumers. They are a system of control on construction of building work. They establish, maintain and improve standards for the construction and maintenance of buildings, enhance the amenity of buildings and protect the safety and health of people using them. 

Why obtain a building permit? Building permits are designed to protect your building and, more importantly you.  There are many other good reasons for having a building permit.  The building permit ensures:

• The required building practitioners are registered and carry insurance
• Adequate documentation is prepared to construct your building
• Independent review of building documentation occurs
• Key stages of the work are independently inspected
• Your building is independently assessed as suitable for occupation.

Other benefits include the certainty of compliance with building legislation prior to building work commencing for owners and building insurers, which can ease the preparation of compliance reports, which may be required when selling your property.

Are there exemptions?

The building regulations recognize that some building work does not require a building permit.  Examples of exemptions include pergolas associated with houses less than 20m2 in area; garden sheds with a floor area less than 10m2 and repair work done for maintenance purposes such as replacing rotted weatherboards.  For more information regarding exemptions, you should consult your municipal or private building surveyor.