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 or unroofed decks, pergolas, verandahs, patios and balconies, including gazebos and shade sails, that:
    • exceed 10m² in area
    • exceed a mean height of 2.1m; and a maximum height of 2.4m
    • exceed 5m in length on any side
    • that are 1.0m or higher above the surface level below

*Note the above structures must meet the same setbacks for dwellings if used for entertainment/ recreation purposes.

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. TheQBCC websitehas 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.

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