Under Victorian legislation, you need a building permit before you can start most building work. This includes demolitions, alterations and works on new buildings.
If you're unsure whether you need a building permit, visit do I need a building permit.
Note: Council does not provide building permit services outside its municipality.
How to apply
To apply, complete the building permit application form(DOC, 1MB).
You need to provide the following with your application:
- site plan (minimum scale 1:500), including a north point, allotment dimensions, nearest street/intersection, any easements, position of building(s) on site, levels and stormwater layout
- three copies of architectural and structural design documents drawn to scale. For alterations and additions, make sure you differentiate existing site conditions and new work
- building floor plans (minimum scale 1:100) where relevant (each floor level, external and sectional elevations, and details of any structural information)
- copy of the Land Title and an approved plan of subdivision (if you are subdividing land)
- evidence of suitability that a material or design meets its performance requirement or deemed-to-satisfy provision.
We will contact you if we need additional information such as a soil report, planning permit or re-establishment survey.
Make changes to an existing permit
You can apply for a variation of the building permit(DOC, 2MB) issued by the Municipal Building Surveyor. You can use the same application form to apply for an extension of time for an existing permit.
Building permit fees
All fees include GST. Private building surveyors set their own fees. Card fees apply for eftpos, credit and debit card payments.
| Building Permit/Application Type |
Fees |
| Building Permit Application |
Fee (inc GST) |
| Carports |
|
| Minimum Fee |
$2,000.00 |
| Commercial Building |
|
| Minimum fee (cost of works up to $20,000) |
$3,800.00
|
| Minimum fee (cost of works up to $100,000) |
$6,000.00 |
| Minimum fee (cost of works over $100,000) |
$7,800.00 |
Demolitions
|
|
| Minimum fee |
$2,500.00
|
| Additional storey |
$2,000.00
|
| Dwelling Additions |
|
| Minimum fee (costs of works up to $10,000) |
$1,800.00
|
| Minimum fee (costs of works $10,000 to $50,000) |
$3,800.00
|
| Minimum fee (costs of works over $50,000) |
$4,000.00
|
| Minimum fee (new dwellings) |
$6,200.00 |
Fences
|
|
| Minimum fee |
$1,600.00
|
| Occupancy Permits (includes Division 2) |
|
| Class 1 |
$1,100.00
|
| Other Classes |
$1,800.00 |
| Places of Public Entertainment (minimum) |
$3,200.00 |
| Subdivision of Existing Building Report |
$4,000.00 |
| Building Permit Lodgement |
|
| Building Permit Lodgement Fee |
$138.35 |
Lapsed Building Permit Final Inspection
|
|
| Lapsed Building Permit Final Inspection Fee |
$1,000.00
|
| Plan Search |
|
| Search fee for permit or certificate search |
$53.40 |
| Search fee for design detail (dwelling) |
$300.00 |
| Search fee for design details (apartments) |
$600.00 |
| Search fee for design detail (multi-unit/commercial) |
$800.00
|
| Designs Requiring Consent Under Part 5 |
$461.40
(per regulation) |
| Designs Requiring Consent Under Parts 6, 8 & 10 |
$328.40
(per regulation) |
| Designs Requiring Consent Under Regulation 116 |
$334.50 |
| Designs Requiring Consent Under Regulation 130 (Building Over an Easement) |
$850.00 |
| Report and Consent Advertising fees - minimum |
$250.00 |
| Plus additional (if required) |
|
|
|
$4,200.00 |
| Property Information |
|
| Flooding / Certificates - Regulation 51 |
$53.60 |
| Priority same day service fee per request |
$220.00 |
| Stormwater Point of Discharge - Regulation 133 |
$238.20 |
As per the Building Act, you must pay the levy and lodgement fee before any building permit can be issued.
Levy fees
If the cost of work exceeds $10,000, the applicant or authorised person acting on their behalf is responsible for paying the building permit levy to the Victorian Building Authority (VBA).
For more information, visit the building permit levy page on the Victorian Building Authority website.
Lodgement fees
A lodgement fee applies to all building permits.
Please note: the fee is the amount required when you apply to a relevant building surveyor. It is not the amount required when a decision is made (this may be different).
For more information, visit the building fees page on the Victorian Building Authority website.
For a specific quote from the office of the Municipal Building Surveyor, please call 03 8290 3525.