Planning permits and building permits in Victoria

Planning permits are separate to building permits. Building permits ensure construction complies with building regulations and issued by Building Surveyors. Planning permits ensure that the use and development comply with the local council planning scheme and are usually issued by local councils.

If you require a building permit, you should check if a planning permit is required. If you require a planning permit and a building permit, you need to obtain the planning permit first.

Often a planning permit is required even when a building permit is not, and vice versa.

Both permits require a set of plans, which are usually separate documents. Town planning plans reflect the requirements of the planning scheme, and building plans detail the construction.

Building Permits

A building permit generally relates only to the construction aspects of a particular building or development. A registered building surveyor, your local council or the Victorian Building Authority can advise whether your home renovation or extension needs a building permit.

A building permit shows your approved plans and specifications comply with building regulations and allows building work to start. A building permit can be obtained from a registered private or local council building surveyor, and they will advise if either an occupancy permit or a certificate of final inspection is required on completion of the building work.

The Building Act 1993 (the Act) and Building Regulations 2006 (the Regulations) legislate that all building work is subject to the issuing of a building permit, unless an exemption exists for the proposed work.

A permit is not always required to use or develop land or do construction, but it is your responsibility to find out if you need either or both permits. One way you can find out is to contact your local council about whether your need a planning permit, another is to contact VSPPAS.

Note: if both are required, you need to get your planning permit first as the building permit must comply with any endorsed plans or conditions on the planning permit. A planning permit must be obtained before a building permit can be issued. Technically, this does not prevent both the planning and building applications being made at the same time.

 Derived from Using Victoria’s Planning System by the State of Victoria and Building plans and permits by Consumer Affairs Victoria