Building permit for a shop or office fit-out.
Most commercial fit-outs need a building permit. New walls, ceilings and shopfronts are building work, and a fit-out often changes exits, fire safety systems or access.
When a fit-out needs a permit
The alterations exemption only covers work that does not adversely affect the structure, safety or an essential safety measure. A shop or office fit-out usually touches at least one of these, for example:
- New partitions or ceilings that change the exits or the paths to them.
- Moving or adding exit signs, emergency lighting, sprinklers or smoke detection.
- A new shopfront, or changes to the structure.
- A change in how the space is used. See change of use.
Where the work would adversely affect an exit or the path of travel to an exit, regulation 234 requires the building to comply with Section D of the NCC Volume One, unless the building surveyor consents to partial compliance.
Access for people with disability
When new work is done in an existing shop or office, the access requirements can extend to the path from the main entrance to the new work, such as ramps and accessible toilets.
Occupancy permit and safety measures
A fit-out often needs an occupancy permit before you trade or move in. The building permit says whether one is required.
Fire safety systems the work adds or changes become essential safety measures, which the owner must maintain and report on each year.
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:
- Existing and proposed floor plans, with ceiling plans
- Details of partitions, ceilings and any shopfront
- Fire services and mechanical drawings, where the work changes them
- A fire engineering report, if the design uses a performance solution
- The building owner's consent, if you are the tenant
- The planning permit, if the use or signage needs one