Applying for a Building Permit

Starting a new construction or home renovation project can be overwhelming. From a new house or renovation project, a front fence, shed, townhouse development or commercial warehouse and more, our team are here to assist you in obtaining your building permit.

Most proposed building work will require a building permit, however, building work that is minor in nature may be exempt. To find out if your project requires a building permit, visit the Victorian Building Authority ‘When is a building permit required’

Request a quote with Watershed if you are looking to obtain a:

New dwelling building permit
Shed or garage building permit
Swimming pool and/or safety barrier building permit
Building permit for extensions, alterations and additions to an existing home
Demolition building permit
Building permit to relocate a dwelling
Commercial warehouse building permit

Smaller projects that require a building permit and building inspections may include:

New fence building permit
Re-stumping / re-blocking building permit
Retaining wall building permit
Carports, garages, and pergola building permits
Verandah building permit
Shed building permit
Carport building permit
Removal of a load-bearing wall

The Victorian Building Authority is an excellent resource for information on building permits, including information on becoming an Owner Builder.

At Watershed Building Consultants we are here to simplify the process and help you understand each step of the building permit process.

Step 1 > Request a quote for a building permit. Include plans/working drawings, cost of works and a description of your project

Step 2 > Return your signed quote to us with your Application and Appointment Forms and supporting documentation available at Download Our Forms 

Step 3 > A Watershed team member will acknowledge your building permit application via email.

Step 4 > A Building Surveyor will send a ‘Request Further Information’ checklist to you. All of this information is required for you to obtain your building permit.

Step 5 > Once all ‘RFI items’ are received by Watershed, we can issue your building permit

Works can not commence on site until your building permit has been issued.

Once your building permit is issued, Watershed will send you the approved plans (drawings)

Works may commence on site once you have your building permit and approved plans

It is the responsibility of the owner and / or builder to book the Mandatory Inspections

Your Mandatory Inspections are listed on your building permit

Your project progresses as you pass your mandatory inspections. Once all your inspections have passed and you have provided Watershed with the relevant compliance certificates, we can issue your Occupancy Permit or Certificate of Final Inspection.

Planning permits

Depending on the project you are about to undertake, a planning permit may be required. Planning permits are a form of development approval in the Victorian planning system. Details information planning permits are available via planning.vic.gov.au

Zones and overlays

Your property may reside in particular zones or overlays. These zones and overlays can have an impact on your building permit. To obtain relevant spatial data, aerial imagery and information on which zones and overlays apply to your property, you can search your address in maps and spatial data as well as viewing the most recent map of zones and overlays.

Owner builder consent

Information on becoming an Owner Builder can be found at the Victorian Building Authority website. Your consent as an Owner Builder will form part of your building permit application for specific projects.