Frequently Asked Questions

A freestanding Class 10a building is exempt from a building permit only if it meets all of the following requirements:

1. Size
Floor area must be 10m² or less

2. Height
Maximum 3 metres high, or if located within 1 metre of a boundary, maximum 2.4 metres high

3. Location on the property
If the shed is associated with an existing building on the same property:

• It must be located behind or in line with the front wall of the main building
• It cannot be positioned closer to the street than the house

If it is the only Class 10a building on the property:

It must be set back at least:
– 9 metres from the front street boundary, and
– 2 metres from each side street boundary

4. Construction material

• Must not be constructed of masonry
• This means no brick, concrete block or similar materials
• Lightweight materials like steel, timber or metal sheeting are acceptable

Important note

Even if exempt from a building permit, you may still need:
• A planning permit, depending on zoning or overlays
• Approval if building over an easement or near services

A front fence more than 1.5m in height requires a Building Permit and may also require a Planning Permit. A Permit is required for any front fence greater than 1m in height constructed within 9m of corner street alignment boundary lines.

A Building Permit is required for any masonry front fence exceeding 1.2m in height.

A building permit is required for any fence height is more than 2 metres.

A building permit is required for a masonry/concrete fence exceeding 1.2 metres within 3 m of the street.

Providing the fence height is less than 1.5m within 3m from the street alignment and the remainder of the fence is less than 2m high, a building permit is not required. Fencing between allotments must be approved by both landowners. All enquiries should be referred to the Dispute Settlement Centre which specialise in these matters – free call 1300 372 888 .

Yes, any swimming pool that  is capable of holding more than 300mm of water requires a permit and must be fenced. Pools and spas registration.

Refer to the Building Plumbing Commission website. Pools and spas registration.

• Building permits are required for verandah additions to an existing building
• Building permits are required for a garage

A pergola is exempt from a building permit only if it meets all of the following requirements:

• It is no more than 3.6 metres high
• If attached to a house, it must be no more than 2.5 metres in front of the front wall of the house
• If attached to another building, it must be no further forward than the front wall of that building
• It has a floor area of 20m² or less

Yes, provided you understand the legal requirements and have the necessary knowledge and experience. See our Information for Owner-Builders page for more information.

Owners may request house plans subject to completing the "Request for copies of house plans and documents” form and paying the appropriate fee.

Building statistics are not available due to privacy regulations. Building registers may be viewed for information at the Building Services counter.

Yes. The $5,000 rule was removed from the Regulations in June 2005.

No, plan retrieval may only be granted subject to obtaining written consent from the property owner.

We recommend you review the Asbestos in Victoria web site. Also see Asbestos Disposal Point at Cosgrove Landfill. 

Worksafe

Asbestos in the workplace is managed and enforced by Worksafe. A workplace is defined as “any place, whether or not in a building or structure, where employees or self-employed person work”. A residential property may constitute a workplace if a person is engaged to complete domestic work.

Examples of asbestos issues managed by Worksafe include:

• Requirement to undertake an asbestos risk assessment
• Asbestos removal and air monitoring within a workplace
• Asbestos removal fro residential or building construction sites undertaken by contractors 
• Unexpected incidents within a workplace (fire, natural disasters, explosion or vandalism)
• Complaints about the presence of asbestos in a workplace
• Complaints regarding derelict industrial or commercial sites where it has been deemed to be a workplace
• Storage of asbestos

Environmental Protection Authority (EPA)

The EPA is responsible for enforcing the Environmental Protection Act 1970 and the Environment Protection (prescribed Waste) Regulations 1998. The Act aims to protect the areas of the environment from the effects of waste discharges, emissions, deposits or noise for public welfare, safety, health or aesthetic enjoyment.

The EPA has the responsibility of ensuring that asbestos-related environmental issues are generally managed including the transportation and disposal of asbestos waste.