Building approval requirements
A Development Permit for Building work (a “Building Approval”) is required before starting construction on most types of building work in Queensland.
This is applicable whether the work is being carried out by a property owner or by a licensed builder.
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This building work includes, but is not limited to:
- New dwellings or commercial buildings;
- Alterations and additions to existing buildings;
- Building removal and relocation;
- Demolitions;
- Carports and sheds;
- Roofed patios, gazebos, pergolas and shade sails;
- Shipping containers located on a property for more than 90 days;
- Fences over 2 metres in height above the natural ground level;
- Retaining walls over 1 metre in height, or within 1.5m of a building or other retaining wall; and
- Swimming pools and spas.
From 1 July 2015, Council ceased providing a dedicated Building Certification service. Therefore from this date, a building approval will need to be obtained from a Private Building Certifier.
Some types of minor building work do not require a building approval, namely exempt development and self-assessable building work (see below).
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Exempt building work is set out in Schedule 2 of the Building Regulation 2006 and does not require building approval and does not need to comply with any particular Codes or Standards.
Examples of exempt development include:- The construction of playground and sporting equipment and garden furniture;
- Temporary market stalls; and
- Minor plant covers and the like, which are not more than 3m high above natural ground.
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Some minor work is deemed to be self-assessable, as set out in Schedule 1 of the Building Regulation 2006, and does not require building approval.
Examples of self-assessable building work include:
- A fence no higher than 2 metres above natural ground (but not including swimming pool fencing);
- Certain retaining walls which retain not more than 1 metre of cut or fill and which are no closer than 1.5 metres to a building or another retaining wall;
- Repairs, maintenance or alterations to an existing building which do not change the building’s floor area or height and which do not affect a structural component or the fire safety system of the building;
- Certain Class 10 buildings and structures (e.g. a tool shed, greenhouse, awning) that are up to 10m² in area, 2.4m in height, 2.1m in mean height, and not longer than 5m; and
- A sun hood or sun blind projecting no more than 1m from the building.
Please note that self-assessable building work must still comply with the requirements of the Building Regulation 2006 including compliance with the National Construction Code (NCC) and the Queensland Development Code (QDC), including boundary clearance provisions for the building/structure in question.
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Building Certifiers are licensed by the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) and are responsible for determining whether proposed building work complies with the Building Act 1975, as well as the BCA, associated Australian Standards and the QDC. If it does, they will issue a building approval
The building approval will list any inspections that must take place during construction. The building certifier who issued the approval is responsible for these inspections being carried out.
Please note, a building certifier cannot approve any work which conflicts with the Fraser Coast Planning Scheme.
If you require building certification services for your proposed building works, please contact a private building certifier. Details of certifiers within our region can be found in the Yellow Pages and other business search facilities.
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The following documentation may be required for an average dwelling. A requirement for more or less information is dependent upon the actual works proposed.
- Completed DA application 'Form 2’.
- QBCC builder's insurance confirmation letter to be sighted OR owner-builder number sighted.
- Portable Long Service Levy receipt for works $150,000 and over.
- Application fee.
- Three (3) copies of the following:
- site plan;
- cross section through the dwelling;
- elevations;
- floor plan for each storey, including location of smoke alarms;
- bracing, tie-down and framing design calculations for each storey, including engineer’s design certification (Form 15) for a steel frame;
- soil investigation report;
- engineers footing/slab design, complete with design certificate (Form 15);
- energy efficiency assessment; and
- potentially bushfire construction
Contact your building certifier for the exact requirements.
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The builder for a project is required to give notice to the building certifier when the building work is completed so that a final building inspection can be carried out. The final inspection is required to ensure that all works carried out comply with the building approval.
Council recommends that a final inspection be arranged as soon as practicable to ensure that a final certificate is obtained to avoid unnecessary future consequences.
An approval that has not had a satisfactory final inspection has the potential to impact on future property transactions or may affect the outcome of insurance claims.
Please note that a building approval will lapse after a certain period of time which is nominated on the building approval. If all works are not completed and inspected before the lapsing date, the building approval lapses and a new approval will be required to complete the project.
However, the building certifier must send the property owner a reminder notice between 3 and 6 months before the lapsing date, otherwise the approval does not lapse.
The building certifier may extend the currency period provided an extension is requested before it lapses.
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A Certificate of Classification is a final inspection certificate that contains information about the class of a building and any use restrictions. It is required for any building other than a detached Class 1a dwelling and a Class 10 building/structure.
Section 114 of the Building Act 1975 requires building owners to obtain a Certificate of Classification for all commercial building development approvals (including commercial and residential units) prior to the occupation or use of the building.
In addition, please note that a change of classification or use for an existing building requires an approval (under Section 111 of the Building Act 1975) from a Building Certifier prior to commencement of the new classification or use.
It is also a requirement under section 108A of the Building Act 1975 (where a certificate of classification has been given for the building on or after 1 July 1997) that building owners ensure the Certificate of Classification (for a class 1b to 9 building) is displayed as near as practicable to the main entrance of the building.
Where the premises are occupied by multiple tenants (e.g. a shopping centre), and individual tenancies have a separate Certificate this will need to be displayed in addition to the Certificate for the building itself.
Penalties are enforceable under the Building Act 1975for failing to obtain and display a Certificate of Classification.
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Please review the fact sheets below regarding Smoke Alarm requirements for existing dwellings / owner occupier, dwellings being sold, leased or lease renewals, new dwellings and renovations, locations for installation and photoelectric smoke alarms.
QFES Fact sheets below:
Smoke Alarm Legislation Maintenance and replacement Smoke Alarm installation Photoelectric Smoke alarms
For more information visit:
www.qfes.qld.gov.au/smokealarms or email SmokeAlarms@qfes.qld.gov.au.
Contact us
For further information, please contact Council's Customer Service Centre on 1300 79 49 29 or email enquiry@frasercoast.qld.gov.au