10 December 2021
IN BRIEF
Getting a Commercial Structure Permit in Victoria
You’ve got your land. You’ve got a great building design. And you’re ready to take the first step to make your commercial structure a reality. Here’s where some of our customers can come unstuck, as the council permit process in Victoria can be intimidating for anyone new to the game.
In this article, Steelcorp’s Shane Barker has put together a basic step-by-step outline of the permits required for construction and the different types of approvals that you need to help guide you through the building process.
Firstly: You’ll Most Likely Need Two Approvals, Not One
Getting approval to build your structure involves two levels of approvals:
Let’s take a look at these in more detail.
What is a Planning Permit?
Level 1 planning approvals are also known as a PP or a planning permit.
“In Victoria, all commercial buildings require a planning permit, which is a high-level approval focused on how your structure fits into its environment,” explains Shane.
“It doesn’t look at an extreme level of detail: this level of approval is purely to ensure that your proposed development complies with your local council’s future planning regime, local zonings, and appearance rules. It ensures that traffic flows and car park requirements are met, and puts in place the requirements for drainage and retention to ensure council assets aren’t affected too much by the extra drainage required for the development.”
You’ll need your level 1 planning permit before you can advance to level 2 and obtain your building permit.
How to Get a Planning Permit in Victoria
The first step is to contact your local council. Different councils have slightly different procedures, but in general, you’ll need to have the following documents ready:
A site plan showing the proposed location, existing buildings, distance from the boundaries, car parking, loading bays and traffic flow
Elevation drawings of your structure showing each view with dimensions
Title documents and plan of subdivision
Details of any covenants on your property
And finally, the permit application form itself.
“There also may be other reports required, particularly if your site has a specific overlay, such as a landscape significance overlay or an Aboriginal culture heritage overlay,” cautions Shane.
Overlays can mean that your site is subject to extra rules and requirements, so check with your council to see whether your land has any specific features that need to be taken into account.
Shane says that when your structure has planning approval, you’re ready to delve deeper into the details of the actual construction.
“This stage is much more detailed, and you’ll need to engage with professionals to get some of the paperwork ready. The planning permit will note some specific conditions that have to be met before you can move forward, such as drainage and fire service requirements.”
How is a Building Permit Different from a Planning Permit?
The underlying requirement for this permit is to ensure that all works will comply with the Building Code. This includes site works, drainage engineering, structural engineering, fire safety compliance and disability access regulations.
It differs from the initial planning permit as it looks at each aspect of the project in much more detail, specifically from a construction point of view.
Firstly, you need to apply for your building permit through a building surveyor, who then issues you with the permit if your application satisfies all the criteria.
Successfully getting a permit involves supplying the following information (usually 3 copies of each) for review, and paying a levy based on the cost of the building work.
“Once you have your permit you can engage with your commercial builder and get the ball rolling,” adds Shane.
“Also, note that permits have an expiry date, so it’s wise to start talking to builders whilst your permit is still under review so that you can get any early planning squared away such as engaging your contractors. This will help streamline the building process.”
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