Building permit for a new house.
Every new house in Victoria needs a building permit before work starts, and an occupancy permit before anyone moves in. We assess the design, inspect the work at each mandatory stage and issue both permits.
What we assess
- Siting under Part 5 of the Building Regulations 2018, such as setbacks, site coverage, garden area, permeability, overshadowing and overlooking.
- The structure, from the soil report and footings to the frame and roof.
- Energy efficiency, through the house energy rating.
- Bushfire construction, if the site is in a bushfire prone area.
- Safety items such as stairs, balustrades, smoke alarms and wet area waterproofing.
Inspections
Regulation 167 sets the mandatory notification stages, when the work is inspected. For a new house they are:
- Before a footing is placed.
- Before any in situ reinforced concrete member the permit specifies is poured.
- When the frame is complete.
- Final, when all the building work is complete.
Knockdown rebuilds
Demolishing the old house needs a building permit of its own, and the council's report and consent under section 29A of the Building Act 1993. If the demolition needs a planning permit, that has to be granted first. See demolition permits.
New estates
Many estates have design guidelines. Where the title or plan of subdivision requires it, send the developer's approval with its stamped drawings.
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.