Planning permits and building permits
Planning permits are about managing the future use and development of land in an way which minimises any negative impacts on the surrounding area and improves the City of Moreland as a place to live, work and visit.
Building permits are about the safety and laws on how you build, change or demolish a building.
When you need a planning permit
You may need a planning permit to use and develop land, renovate a building, or change something on your land, like:
- build units
- subdivide your land
- put up a satellite dish
- set up a business
- run a business from home
- demolish a house
- extend a house
- put up an advertising sign
- get a liquor licence, or
- remove a tree.
When you need a building permit
By law, you may need a building permit to build:
- a new building – a house, factory, units or business
- an extension, alteration or renovation
- a retaining wall
- a swimming pool or spa
- a safety barrier for a swimming pool or spa
- a carport or garage
- a verandah
- a pergola
- a fence, and
- an outbuilding.
or to:
- restump or underpin your house, or
- demolish a building.
There are some building projects that do not need a building permit.
When you need both a planning permit and building permit
- All unit developments.
- Renovations to a house under 300 square metres in a residential zone or in a heritage overlay area or other overlay area.
- Constructing a new building or extending a building in a business zone.
Planning permit before building permit
You must always get a planning permit before a building permit can be issued.
Should I talk to a building surveyor before I submit a planning permit application?
Yes, you should always talk to your building surveyor about the plans before you lodge your planning permit application.
Sometimes when you need a planning permit for a new house or extension to a house, things like the setbacks of the side walls from the boundary or the heights of the walls cannot be assessed as part of the planning permit. This can happen if your land is:
- in a residential zone and is over 300 square metres, and
- in a heritage overlay area or other overlay area.
If building heights and setbacks cannot be checked as part of the planning permit they must be checked as part of getting a building permit.
If your building surveyor is not able to approve the building heights and setbacks approved in the planning permit you will need to re-apply to amend your planning permit resulting in more cost and delays. Speaking with your building surveyor early can avoid these situations.
You may also find out at the building permit stage that you need to provide disabled access to your building. This can completely change the design of your building. If you already have your planning permit you will need to go back and apply to amend your planning permit.
Should I talk to an Environmental Health Officer?
In the case of a restaurant or other use involving food preparation, you may also find that in applying to Council for food business registration you need to provide additional toilets or equipment like mechanical flus that can also change the design of your building and mean that you need to go back and apply to amend your planning permit.
It is important that you get these building and health registration issues looked at informally by a building surveyor or a Council Environmental Health Officer before you lodge a planning permit application.
If you don’t. you later need to change your plans and apply to amend your planning permit which will delay your development and cost more.
If I get a planning permit, will I get a building permit?
No, not necessarily.
Building Permits are issued under the Building Act. Council’s Moreland Building Services looks at different things to planning permits like a building’s structure, materials and fire ratings.
Rules on where to get your permits
If the work is for a property in the area of Moreland:
- you must get a planning permit from Moreland City Council, and
- you have a choice on where to get your building permit. Council’s Moreland Building Services issues building permits.
