Dwellings, Additions and Improvements

Under the Building Code of Australia the following buildings come under Class 1a – habitable building:

• Dwellings
• Dwelling units
• Dwelling additions/improvements
• Similar building works

A building permit is needed for these types of buildings and building works under the Building Regulations 2018.

Some of the things considered when assessing a building permit application for these types of buildings and works include, but not limited to:

• Location and site of the buildings on the allotment
• Architectural and structural design
• Energy efficiency, such as 6 Star Energy Rating Assessments.
• Availability and location of services (e.g. sewer, water, storm water, effluent disposal)
• Development restrictions such as
  • needing a planning permit (where applicable)
  • construction in flood prone areas and designated bushfire prone areas
• Providing Registered Builder’s Warranty Insurance (for works exceeding $16,000)
  OR Owner Builder Certificate of Consent (for works exceeding $16,000)

Please get advice from one of our Building Department staff before you start any building work.

Application

Checklist

Fees and charges

Building permit fees are to be paid upon lodgement of your building permit application.

• Building fees and charges

Bushfire construction requirements

Proposed dwellings with associated buildings, multi-residential unit developments and/or accommodation (e.g. a motel) in a designated Bushfire Prone Area must undergo a fully documented site assessment. This will determine the level of protection required by the Australian Standard AS3959 – 2009 Construction of Buildings in Bushfire Prone Areas.

This assessment and documentation is compulsory.

A guide from the Victorian Building Authority will help you with this process.

The information in the guide provides a summary to determine the BAL (Bushfire Attack Level) using an easy six-step approach.

Under Regulation 157 of the Building Regulations 2018, you must still construct your building to a Bushfire Attack Level of 12.5 (ember attack) standard if:

• Your site is in a Bushfire Prone Area, and
• Your Bushfire Attack Level assessment is BAL – LOW

The standards are set out in Section 5 of AS 3959 – 2009 Construction of Buildings in Bushfire Prone Areas.

This residential building standard aims to improve buildings to withstand attack from bushfires including ember attack. This provides better protection for the occupants and the building itself while the fire front passes.

Termite management in buildings

Our municipality is a designated termite prone area under Regulation 150 of the Building Regulations 2018.

To prevent infestation, anyone undertaking building works within the municipality must use construction methods that:

• Meet the Building Code of Australia, and the
• Australian Standard AS3660.1 – 2014 – Termite Management New Building Work

Building inspections

Inspections are an important and mandatory part of the permit process.

The following compulsory inspections are required for all new building work:

• Before placing footing (foundation excavations, stump holes, slab steel reinforcement)
• Before pouring an in-situ reinforced concrete member
• Completion of framework (sub-floor frame through to roof structure)
• During the carrying out of building work specified required by Regulation172 (fire & smoke resisting building elements)
• Final inspection on completion of all building work (before occupation and/or use of the building)