Building permit for a house extension.
An extension, a second storey or a new living area needs a building permit in Victoria. The new work must meet today's regulations, and a large extension can bring the existing house into them too.
What we assess
- Siting under Part 5 of the Building Regulations 2018, such as setbacks, site coverage, overshadowing and overlooking.
- The structure, from the footings to the roof, and how it joins the existing house.
- Energy efficiency of the new work, shown in a house energy rating.
- Bushfire construction, if the site is in a bushfire prone area.
When the existing house has to be upgraded
Under regulation 233, if the extension, together with any other alterations completed or permitted in the previous 3 years, relates to more than half the original volume of the building, the whole building must be brought into line with the current Regulations.
The building surveyor can consent to partial compliance. For an extension, that is only possible if its floor area is no more than 25% of the existing building's floor area, or 1,000 m², whichever is less.
Siting variations
If the design does not meet a Part 5 siting rule, the council can vary it through its report and consent. We identify these when we first assess the plans, so you can apply to the council for them.
Planning permit
A planning permit may also be needed, for example under a heritage overlay or in some zones on smaller lots. It has to be in place before we can issue the building permit.
Request a quote
Request a quote online, or email what you have to info@cortekgroup.com.au, and we will quote a fixed fee for your building permit. For the permit itself we will need:
- The certificate of title and plan of subdivision, with any covenants or section 173 agreements
- The council's property information under regulation 51(2), and its legal point of stormwater discharge
- Drawings and specifications issued for construction
- A soil report, and the engineer's drawings, computations and design certificate
- A house energy rating report with the energy endorsed drawings
- The planning permit and endorsed plans, if the project needs one
- A bushfire assessment, if the site is in a bushfire prone area
- A septic permit from the council, if the site is not sewered
- If a builder is doing the work, the contract extract and, where it applies, the domestic building insurance certificate
- If you are an owner-builder, your certificate of consent from the BPC, where one is required
The full list is in our building permit documentation checklist.