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Building and renovating

Building regulations in Victoria apply to most buildings and building work on private land.

Two‑storey house under construction with exposed timber framing, next to completed homes and surrounded by trees.

Here you will find information relating to permit and regulatory requirements for constructing and maintaining buildings, structures, swimming pools and spas, places of public entertainment and caravan parks.

Building related permits and consents

About to start renovating or building? Make sure you have all your permits and consents before works commence

Building information requests

You may require information from Council to assist with building permit applications, the sale and purchase of property or issuing protection works notices.

Building permits

A building permit must be issued prior to starting any building work unless the work is exempt under Part 4 and Schedule 3 of the Building Regulations 2018.

Council Consents

Your building project must meet the Building Regulations 2018. If it doesn’t, you must get 'report and consent' for the part of your project that doesn't meet the regulations. This is sometimes called a dispensation, and it means that you have gotten the approval of the relevant authorities to continue with your project. You need this report and consent before you can get a building permit. 

Swimming pools and spas

If you have a pool or spa in Victoria, you must make sure it is registered, inspected and compliant.

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Specialist topics

Places of public entertainment and temporary structures

A place of public entertainment (POPE) is a building or place used or intended to be used for conducting public entertainment or a public meeting.

Private building surveyor portal

This page is only relevant for Private Building Surveyors who will lodge all documentation on behalf of owners

Public protection and street occupation permits

When works require precautionary measures to be installed on City land, you will require a report and consent and/or a Street/Footpath Occupation Permit.

Caravan park owner information

This information is only relevant for Caravan park owners and operators, not for residents.

Common building project information

Fences and retaining walls

If you plan to build or replace a fence along a shared boundary, you should discuss the matter with your neighbour or alternatively write them a letter. 

Building safety

The Building & Plumbing Commission (BPC) provide a series of safety guides to help you learn more about how you can keep your property safe, inside and outside. 

Small second dwellings

The Victorian Government has made it easier to build a small second dwelling giving families more housing choice and boosting housing supply.

Owner Builders

An owner-builder is defined as a person who constructs or renovates a domestic building on their own land, who is not in the business of building.

Tiny Homes

Council generally considers a “Tiny Home” to be a moveable dwelling on wheels, constructed on a chassis (similar to a caravan), or a small relocatable dwelling pod, often prefabricated. 

Building permit, notice and order register

Building register

Our building permit register lists all of the permits which have approval from a surveyor for works to start within the last 10 years.

Building notice and order register

This register lists all emergency orders, building notices and building orders relevant to properties within the municipality given to Council within the last 10 years.
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