Building projects that do not need a building permit

All building projects need a building permit except for the list of projects below.

Contact Council to confirm if you need a building permit. 

This is a free service.

You do not need a building permit for:

• A freestanding shed:

  • with a floor area not more than 10 m²
  • not more than 3 m in height or, if located within 1 m of a boundary is not more than 2.4 m in height
  • located no further forward on the allotment than the front wall of the main building on the property
  • not constructed of masonry (stone, concrete, brick, etc), or
  • does not involve construction over an easement vested in Council or other service authority specified in regulation 310 of the Building Regulations 2006.

• Repair, renewal or maintenance of an existing building, if the building work:

  • is not structural works or underpinning or replacement of footings
  • does not affect the safety of the public
  • is not an essential safety measure
  • does not increase or decrease the floor area or height of the building
  • is not being carried out on, or in connection with, a building included on the Heritage register established under the Heritage Act 1995
  • is not removal or alteration of any element of the building that is contributing to the support of any other element of the building, or
  • uses materials commonly used for the same purpose as the material being replaced.

• A swimming pool or spa with a depth of less than 300 mm.
• A masonry fence within 3 m of a street alignment not more than 1.2 m in height.
• A non-masonry fence within 3 m of a street alignment not more than 1.5 m in height.
• A fence not more than 1 m in height when built within 9 m of a point of intersection of street alignments.
• A chain mesh fence surrounding a tennis court.
• A fence, screen or structure similar to a fence not more than 2 m in height and not within 3 m of a street alignment.
• An advertising sign:

• less than 3 m from a street alignment that is not more than 1 m in height
• more than 3 m from a street alignment that is not more than 8 m in height, or
• not more than 6 m² in display area.

• A mast, pole, antenna or aerial:

• when attached to a building, is not higher than 3 m above the highest point of the building to which it is attached, or
• if freestanding, is not more than 8 m above ground level.

• A retaining wall less than 1 m in height that is not associated with other building work or with protection of adjoining properties.
• A pergola to a domestic residence:

• less than 20 m² in floor area
• not more than 3.6 m in height, or
• is located no further forward on the allotment than 2.5 m forward of the front wall of the house, and 
• has no roof covering.

• A relocatable swimming pool that is erected temporarily and enclosed by barriers complying with Australian Standared 1926.1 – 1993 Swimming Pool Safety Part 1. Note, the barriers around the pool will need a permit.