The lodgement process involves the following steps:

1. Complete a building application form
2. Provide all documents and plans that relate to your project – use the relevant checklist to make sure you don’t miss anything
3. Lodge your application together with all your plans and documents to email: [email protected]

You will receive an invoice based on the scope of your project, your application will not progress until payment is received.

Make sure you respond to any requests for further information so as to not hold up the assessment process.

Building permit / inspection fees are calculated on your proposed scope of works. 

An invoice will be provided for you to make payment online. This must be paid before any work is done on your application.

Prior to applying you can obtain a quote.  To do this please provide the following to [email protected]:

• a full scope of what you intend to do
• location
• working drawings
• engineering information
• title

A quote does not commit you to using the City as your Building Surveyor, once you have submitted an application form and paid the provided invoice you will then have appointed the City as your Building Surveyor

The Victorian Government Building Levy is a charge on all Building Permits where the value of works exceeds $10,000.

The money generated is used to fund the Building Control, the Domestic Dispute Resolution System, and cladding rectification works in Victoria.  The Building Act 1993 imposes a building permit levy.      

The levy amount is based on the cost of the building work, the location of the building and the BCA class.  The levy must be paid to the Building and Plumbing Commission by the applicant before a building permit can be issued.

The Building and Plumbing Commission have an online Building permit levy calculator which can provide you with an estimate.

For minor changes to your approved building design complete an amendment to a building permit form 

• Lodge your application by email to [email protected]
• Receive your invoice with the applicable fee and pay this online
• Respond to any requests for further information

Where building permits have been issued by a private building surveyor then you must seek to extend your permit with that private building surveyor.

We may allow an extension of time to commence or complete works covered by a building permit but only when requests are received before the due lapsed date.

Complete an extension of time to commence or complete building permit form including your reasons why you are seeking an extension

• Lodge your application by email to [email protected]
• Receive your invoice with the applicable fee and pay this online
• Respond to any requests for further information

Where building permits have been issued by a private building surveyor then you must seek to extend your permit with that private building surveyor.

In circumstances where building work is proposed over two or more contiguous allotments or an allotment on adjoining land can be treated as one allotment for the purposes of the building regulations.

if this is relevant to you, you will be asked to complete a combined allotment statement application form

• Lodge your application by email to [email protected]
• Receive your invoice with the applicable fee and pay this online
• Respond to any requests for further information

Where building permits have been issued by a private building surveyor then you must seek to extend your permit with that private building surveyor.

The National Construction Code is Australia's primary set of technical design and construction provisions for buildings.

Where a building design does not meet the provisions of the National Construction Code - Building Code of Australia an alternative building solution can be formulated by the designer and presented to the building surveyor for consideration.

Performance solutions are unique to each individual situation. These solutions are often flexible in achieving the outcomes and encouraging innovative design and technology use.

Further information can be found on the National Construction Code at the Australian Building Codes Board.

If this is relevant to you, you will be asked to complete a National Construction Code Performance Solution Assessment application form

• Lodge your application by email to [email protected]
• Receive your invoice with the applicable fee and pay this online
• Respond to any requests for further information

Where building permits have been issued by a private building surveyor then you must seek to extend your permit with that private building surveyor.

You will need to provide evidence to the City that your building design complies with energy efficiency regulations when applying for your building permit. Your builder will have the knowledge or will know who to contact to assess your design.

The Building & Plumbing Commission has a Energy efficiency requirements page that provides relevant links and information on the current requirements.

Building work to alter an existing building must comply with the Building Regulations 2018.  

In circumstances where the existing building constraints will not permit full compliance with the regulations an application for partial compliance can be considered by the City.

If this is relevant to you, you will be asked to complete a Partial compliance or exemption to building regulations request form

• Lodge your application by email to [email protected]
• Receive your invoice with the applicable fee and pay this online
• Respond to any requests for further information

Where building permits have been issued by a private building surveyor then you must seek to extend your permit with that private building surveyor.