Apply for, amend or extend a Building Permit

A Building Permit is a legal document. It's issued before construction begins to make sure the building work meets minimum standards for builders, occupants and the public.

Building Permits can be issued by us or by a private building surveyor.

When you apply for a Building Permit with us, you'll get the benefit of local knowledge and a full permit and inspection service.

Before you prepare your application, we recommend you talk to:

• an architect or draftsperson for building design advice
• a building surveyor for technical advice if needed.

Hire a professional to make sure your design follows building rules. It also makes it easier to get the documents you need when applying for a Building Permit.

Apply for a Building Permit

Download an application for a Building Permit form (below). Submit the completed form and supporting documents.

After you submit your application, we'll email you an invoice for:

• $138.30 lodgement fee
• the Building Permit fee, which depends on the cost of building work
• additional fees if you are an owner-builder – find out more on our Owner builders page.

Once you've paid the invoice, we'll assess your application within 10 business days to make sure it complies with:

• Building Act 1993, available on the Legislation Victoria website.
• Building Regulations 2018, available on the Legislation Victoria website.

We'll contact you if we need more information. It will take us another 10 business days to review any further information you provide.

If we approve your application, we'll send you your Building Permit and approved drawings.

Other permits you may need

We'll tell you if you need other permits for your building project. These can include a:

• Planning Permit
• Tree Protection Local Law Permit
• Vehicle Crossing Permit
• Asset Protection Permit
• Road and Footpath Occupancy Permit.

You can only start building after you have all the permits you need.

Change a Building Permit

You need to apply to change your Building Permit if the:

• designs change during building
• builder or practitioner's details change.

How to apply

Download a Building Permit variation application form (below).

Complete and submit your application. You must pay a fee to amend a Building Permit when you submit your application.

Extend a Building Permit

Your Building Permit includes dates for when work needs to start and finish.

If you can't start or finish works within these timeframes, apply for an extension before your permit expires.

How to apply

Download an application for Building Permit extension of time form (below).

Complete and submit the form. If your application is accepted, we will email you an invoice for an application fee of $373.50. 

Building inspections

Your Building Permit has information about required inspections throughout building works.

Arrange your first building inspection by calling our Building Services team on (03) 9278 4999. Your permit has instructions on when to do this.

Our building inspector will check the building site to make sure that all work is completed in line with the permit.

After the inspection we'll send you a Building Inspection Report with an approval or a 'Direction to Fix'.

When you receive a Direction to Fix, the items listed must be addressed within the required timeframe.

Mandatory inspections continue until the work is complete and complies with building legislation.

Apply for an occupancy permit

Check your Building Permit to find out if you need to apply for an occupancy permit.

This allows the building to be occupied after work is completed and approved.

Download and complete the application for an Occupancy Permit form (below).

Final inspection

After the work is complete, we’ll conduct our final inspection.

If we approve the work, our Building Services team will provide you with one of either:

• a Certificate of Final Inspection
• a Certificate of Occupancy.

Where to submit your completed forms

Send your completed forms:

• by email to [email protected]
• in person to our council offices at 8 Inglesby Road, Camberwell Victoria
• by mail to City of Boroondara, Private Bag 1, Camberwell Victoria 3124 (please provide your email address so we can contact you).

More information

• For more information or help with your application, email Building Services at [email protected] or call (03) 9278 4999.
• If you're not sure whether you need a Building Permit, visit our Do I need a permit? page.
• Find out how to pay Building Permit fees on our Pay building and planning fees page.
• Find out more about private building surveyors.
• If you are a business and need to find out what other permits you need, contact our Business Support Service using the details on our Start and grow a business page.