Building permit for a retaining wall.
A retaining wall under 1 m high is exempt from a building permit in Victoria, unless it is part of other building work or protects adjoining property. A wall 1 m or higher is outside the exemption, so it needs one.
When a lower wall still needs a permit
- It is part of other building work, such as the cut and fill for a new house or garage.
- It is associated with protecting adjoining property.
A retaining wall that forms part of a pool barrier is also covered by the barrier rules. See pools and spas.
What the permit covers
The application needs an engineer's design for the wall, its footings and the drainage behind it. We check the design against the site, including the load from any driveway, building or slope above the wall.
Walls near a neighbour
When building work could affect an adjoining property, the Building Act 1993 sets out a process for protection work, with notices to the neighbour. We work out whether it applies when we assess the application.
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
- Drawings issued for construction
- The engineer's drawings, computations and design certificate
- The planning permit and endorsed plans, if the project needs one
- 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
- A bushfire assessment, if the site is in a bushfire prone area
The full list is in our checklist for verandahs, carports, decks, sheds and garages.