Stages of a building project
- Apply for a planning permit from Council (if needed).
- Council issues a planning permit (if needed).
- Choose your building surveyor.
- Apply for a building permit.
- A building permit is issued.
- Building work begins.
- Inspections happen at different stages of work.
- Building work finishes.
- Building surveyor issues an Occupancy Permit or a Certificate of Final Inspection.
Planning permit
A building project may also need a planning permit, for example, new units, building demolition, renovations and extensions. Sometimes, even a fence needs a planning permit. Check if you need a planning permit and confirm with Council's urban planners. This is a free service.
Building permit
Victorian law states that all building work needs a building permit unless it is exempt.
Building surveyors and building permits
A building surveyor must issue a building permit.
So, before you apply for a building permit, choose a building surveyor. The building surveyor will:
- accept your application
- issue a building permit, and
- do inspections at different stages of work.
Confirm your choice of surveyor in writing - a phone call or a verbal agreement is not enough.
Where to get a building surveyor and building permit
You have a choice on where to get a building permit, regardless of the location of your building project.
Moreland City Council’s Moreland Building Services offers a competitive building permit and inspection service. It issues building permits and does inspections for residential and commercial building projects in Moreland.
Permit tips
Your architect or builder can apply for a building permit on your behalf, but it is the owner’s responsibility to get the correct permits. You should:
- in writing, authorise an architect or builder to do the building permit application
- not sign a blank form authorising your builder or architect to get all permits for you, and
- always check that a permit has been issued before any work begins.
Occupancy permit
A building permit states whether you need an occupancy permit or a certificate of final inspection. Your building surveyor issues an occupancy permit when your building is considered suitable for occupation. Building work for a new home including units or apartments always needs an occupancy permit.
Certificate of final inspection
Your building surveyor issues a certificate of final inspection for extensions or alterations to existing homes and for garages, fences and outbuildings. Extensions and alterations do not need an occupancy permit.
Alternative solutions
Most building permit assessments use the “deemed to satisfy” provision but a building surveyor may also use the “alternative solution” process.
Council helps building permit applicants prepare submissions for alternative solutions that satisfy the Building Code of Australia and can tell you if you need an alternative solution. The Building Appeals Board considers submissions for alternative solutions.
