Apply for a building permit

• Carport, garage or shed
• Demolish or remove a building
• Extensions and alterations
• New dwelling and re-erection
• Swimming pool and spa safety fencing

Once a building permit is issued, work must begin within 12 months, and be completed within 24 months, from the date of issue. This time may be extended if you apply to the building surveyor before the permit expires.

Swimming pools and spas, and the required barriers, must be completed within six months of the date of issue.

Extension of time to complete works

If you are unable to complete your building work before your building permit expires, you must apply to us for an extension of time while the permit is still active.

If you lodge an extension of time letter after the permit has lapsed, you will be required to apply for a new building permit. This will entail the submission of all documentation and the payment of all fees.

The commencement and completion dates are clearly noted on each building permit.

We will only consider an application for an extension of time if you:

• submit a letter requesting an extension and a reason for why the work could not be completed on time
• pay the relevant fees

Variations to a building permit

If designs need to be changed or alternative materials used during the course of construction, you must first get permission from the building surveyor who issued your building permit.

When we issue your building permit, we will list the inspections required. Once you have reached each mandatory stage, you must book an inspection.

To book, call us on 03 5358 8700, at least 24 hours before your preferred inspection time. This ensures we can deliver a fair and efficient service to both builders and owners.

With the exception of new buildings, all works will require a certificate of final inspection. Once we have completed the final inspection, we will issue you with this certificate. 

A building permit application can be made to the Northern Grampians Shire Council Municipal Building Surveyor or a private building surveyor.

An agent can appoint a building surveyor on your behalf, but Consumer Affairs Victoria suggest you choose your own, so you can be confident of their independence. You can find a building surveyor through the Australian Institute of Building Surveyors or the Victorian Building Authority.

By choosing council’s Municipal Building Surveyor you will have easy access to a wealth of local knowledge which can ensure efficient and coordinated processing of your application.

You can only appoint one building surveyor to a building project. Once you have made an application for a building permit and the building surveyor has begun carrying out their functions for your project, that person will then be known as the relevant building surveyor for your project. This applies even if you have not signed a contract or provided written confirmation of the appointment.

Prior to issuing your building permit, your building surveyor will let you know if you need to protect an adjoining property from potential damage from your building work.

If building work is close to, or adjacent to, adjoining property boundaries, then you may be required to carry out protection work in respect of that adjoining property. Please see the Victorian Building Authority for more information.

Once the building project is complete, the building surveyor will issue an occupancy permit or a certificate of final inspection.

Occupancy permit

A building permit states whether you need an occupancy permit or a certificate of final inspection. Building work for a new home, including units or apartments, always needs an occupancy permit.

Your building surveyor issues an occupancy permit when your building is considered suitable for occupation.

Certificate of final inspection

Your building surveyor issues a certificate of final inspection for extensions or alterations to existing homes and for garages, fences and outbuildings.

Extensions and alterations do not need an occupancy permit.