Renovate your Property
Learn about renovations within the City, if you need permits and the regulations for pools, patios and more.
Making changes to your property
Building Approval is required for most residential and commercial alterations, additions and renovations.
The only time Building Approval is not required to undertake building work is when they are considered minor in nature and are exempted from requiring approval under the Building Regulations 2012.
Do I need Planning Approval to make changes to my property?
Generally, a Planning Application to the Council will be required when:
- There is a requirement under a town planning scheme for a Planning Application to be made
- There is one or more variations to the Residential Design Codes (R-Codes).
More information can be found on Planning Advice & Information.
If you are unsure if your project is exempt, you can verify your property rules by contacting the City's Planning team.
Do I need to be an owner-builder?
Owner-builders can carry out the following types of building work on their property:
- Construct a detached dwelling, including a granny flat.
- Carry out additions and alterations to an existing dwelling.
- Construct a non-habitable building such as a private garage, carport, shed or the like.
- Construct or make additions and alterations to a small commercial building i.e. one or two-storey building with a floor space less than 500m2 that is not a detached house, a Class 10a building or farm building.
Responsibilities
As an owner-builder, you will be responsible for the building work for a minimum of six (6) years. If you sell the home within seven (7) years from the date the building permit was issued, under the Home Building Contracts Act 1991, you will need to have a home indemnity insurance policy in place to cover subsequent owners if problems with the building develop.
More information on owner-builder responsibilities and how to apply for owner-builder approval is available on the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety website.
How do I become an owner builder?
To become an owner-builder, you must apply to the Building Services Board. A copy of the Owner Builder Approval must be submitted with a Building Permit application.
Owner-builder approvals can only be issued to individuals and not to corporate bodies or trusts.
To obtain an owner-builder approval, you must:
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- Be the owner of the land; or
- Be leasing the land and have the owner's written agreement to undertake building works; or
- Have an interest as purchaser under a contract to purchase the land; and
- Intend to either reside, occupy or use the land on which the building work is to be carried out after the building work is completed.
How to obtain a Building Permit
Building permits are required for the construction of new buildings and structures, and additions or alterations to existing buildings.
If you been recently granted a Development Approval (DA) from the City or your work fits one of the following categories, it's likely you will need a permit.
You can only start your building work after a building permit has been issued to you or your nominated builder.
In most cases, when the estimated total value of work is more than $20,000, a building permit can only be issued to a registered builder or an owner-builder.
Apply for a Building Permit
Types of building work
A permit is usually required for the following:
- ancillary dwelling (including granny flat)
- carports or garage
- commercial building
- conversion to a habitable room
- earthwork
- fence (masonry over 750mm high or non-masonry over 1.8m height
- patio, pergola, or shade sail (some exemptions may apply)
- re-roofing
- residential dwelling
- retaining wall over 500mm in height
- shed (some exemptions may apply)
- solar panels on commercial buildings
- swimming pool, spa and safety barrier
- water tank (greater than 5,000 litres)
Find out which forms are required for each type of building work and how to submit an application on our building permits page.
Soak wells
Properties need a drainage system that prevents redirected rainwater from causing harm to people or damaging nearby properties.
If you need assistance calculating your soakwell needs, download our drainage calculator below or contact our Engineering team on 9273 6000 or [email protected]
City of Vincent Drainage Calculator