What needs building approval

A development building work permit is required for:

• new construction
• alterations and additions to existing buildings
• erection of temporary buildings and structures
• attachment of any sign to a building or structure, including awnings, regardless of size of height
• underpinning of any building or structure
• re-roofing of a building or structure
• re-stumping of an existing building or structure if it involves the replacement of more than 20% of the total number of stumps
• replacement of, or alteration to, any cladding forming part of, attached to or applied to, an external wall or another external part of a building
• repair, maintenance or alteration of heating devices that are integral parts of the building including free standing pot belly stoves or other combustion heaters located less than 1.2 m from adjoining walls
• installation of, or alterations to, any handrail or balustrade that protects a fall of 1.0m or more above the surface level below
• installation of, or alterations to, any stair that involves a change in levels of three risers, or 1.0m or more or is part of path of travel to a required exit
• removal and/or relocation of an existing building, including re-siting of existing buildings on same allotment
• demolition of a building or structure, including part demolition and the decommissioning of a swimming pool or spa

A development building work permit is required for:

• alterations and additions to existing commercial and industrial buildings including:
  •  changes to internal layout
  • construction of mezzanine levels, caretakers residences, and
  • replacement of windows and glazed doors
• tenancy fit outs for:
  • new commercial and industrial buildings;
  • existing commercial and industrial buildings including retail shops, offices and
  • replacement or renewal of shop fronts

A development building work permit is required for:

• alterations and additions to existing dwellings, apartments and units including:
  • internal alterations,
  • bathroom renovations,
  • replacement of windows and glazed doors;
• converting existing garages, sheds or storage spaces into habitable areas like bedrooms or rumpus rooms

A development building work permit is required for:

• construction of new garages, carports and sheds, including garden sheds that exceed 10m² in area or 2.4m in height;
• alterations and additions to existing garages, carports and sheds, including adding roller-doors, or enclosing walls to a carport;
• converting existing garages, sheds or storage spaces into habitable areas like bedrooms or rumpus rooms.

A development building work permit is required for:

• erection of temporary buildings and structures including stages, grand stands, stadium seating and tents (only applicable to tents that exceed 500m²);
• construction of, or alteration or addition to:
  •  roofed decks, roofed verandahs, roofed patios, roofed balconies including gazebos and shade sails regardless of size or height above ground
  • unroofed pergolas that exceed 10m² in area, 2.4m in height or 5m in length
  • unroofed decks, unroofed verandahs, unroofed patios and unroofed balconies that are 1.0m or more above the surface level below or that exceed 10m² in area or 5m in length
  • unroofed pergolas, unroofed decks, garden sheds in tropical cyclone areas, regardless of height above ground or floor area

A development building work permit is required for construction of, or alteration or addition to:

• fences over 2m in height above the natural ground level
• retaining walls over 1m in height, or within 1.5m of a building or other retaining wall
• fences which act as a swimming pool safety barrier

A development building work permit is required for:

• construction of, or alteration or addition to, a swimming pool or spa pool
• construction of, or alteration to, a swimming pool safety barrier
  • unless under the direction of a Swimming Pool Safety inspector for the purpose of obtaining a swimming pool safety certificate or,
  • if for the alteration or replacement of an existing barrier, it involves no more than a total of 5m of barrier and no more than 6 posts
• demolition of a swimming pool or spa, including part demolition and decommissioning

A development building work permit is required for installation of, or alterations to:

• any handrail or balustrade that protects a fall of 1.0m or more above the surface level below
• any stair that involves:
  •  a change in levels of three risers, or
  • 1.0m or more or
  • is part of path of travel to a required exit

A development building work permit is required for installation of, or alterations to:

• fire hydrants systems,
• fire sprinkler systems,
• smoke and heat detection systems,
• fire rated walls, smoke walls and smoke doors,
• fire rated doors including entry doors to units and apartments

A development building work permit is required for example, for changing from car dealership showroom to a restaurant.  The QBCC website has a list of building class types.

A development building work permit is required for equipment exceeding 3.0m in height.

Free standing signage

A development building work permit is required for signage higher than 2.0m in height or greater than 1.2m in width.

Signs attached to buildings or structures

A development building work permit is required for attachment of any a sign to a building or structure, including awnings, regardless of size of height.

It is important to follow plumbing and building standards when installing the rainwater tank. This includes connecting to household fixtures and the stormwater system.

If your rainwater tank is part of construction of a new house or building, it is assessed with the building and plumbing applications.

Before connecting a rainwater tank to internal plumbing, you need approval from council. If you are also on town water, you must install a backflow prevention device.

Tank overflow should be properly managed to prevent possible flooding and damage downstream.

Pursuant to Building Regulation 2021, a building approval is not required where a rainwater tank is:

• less than 10m² in area
• less than 3.6m in diameter
• less than 2.4m in height
• less than 5.0m long and
• is structurally suitable for its intended water volume and pressure.

You need a building permit from a private certifier if your rainwater tank does not meet these criteria.

Read more about rainwater tank maintenance, and keeping your private water supply safe and healthy.

A development building work permit is required when a shipping container is:

• used as a building of any type
• used as a structure eg; pool, platform
• used for long term storage
• fixed to the ground or connected to plumbing or electricity
• altered with building work
• not permitted under a current local law permit

Some electric vehicle (EV) charging and on-site battery storage systems (including vehicle batteries) may be considered a special hazard under Building Code of Australia (BCA). Where installed within or close to buildings, the BCA may require additional fire safety measures to address the special hazards relating to firefighting and smoke hazard management.

You should contact a private building certifier and licensed electrician before installation.

In certain circumstances, private building certifiers may require a BCA Performance Solution by a RPEQ fire engineer to assess building fire risks associated with:

• EV charging stations
• battery storage systems
• multiple EVs parked within or close to a building
• associated lithium batteries in vehicles connected to the charger