Frequently Asked Questions

It is the applicant’s responsibility to make sure that if required, development approval is granted prior to any building permit applications being submitted and to make sure that the building drawings match those of your development approval.

If development approval is not required, the Single House Verification Certificate and Assessment Sheet must be submitted with your building permit application.

Applying for development approval and a building permit are two separate processes, both controlled under different legislation.

A development approval grants permission for a development or land use. It ensures that the development complies with the local planning scheme, Residential Design Codes (R-Codes) and other relevant legislation and policies.

A building permit ensures that the building is structurally safe and complies with the relevant legislation.

Depending on the proposed development and land use, both development and building approval may be required.

A building permit is required for any works of a structural nature. Development approval and building permits are two separate development application processes required before a development can commence.

In most cases, both development and building approval will be required, however there are instances when only one is required. For more information on gaining a building permit, please see Building Permits.

The City accepts building permit applications where all conditions of development approval have been met. In case of certain developments, where approval is not required, Building Services should be able to accept the application subject to relevant documentation being submitted.

For more information on gaining a building permit, please see Building Permits.

Development approval applications requiring neighbour consultation should generally be determined within 90 days from the date of lodgement. If consultation is not required, they should be determined within 60 days. Applications that are required to be referred to a Council Meeting may take 90 days or more depending upon receipt of all relevant information from the applicant.

As part of our commitment to transparency, residents can view and track the progress of development applications within the City online.

Where a development has the potential to affect surrounding properties, the City will undergo a consultation process. Comments received through that process are taken into account when making a decision on the development.

The City’s Planning Policy P301 Community Engagement in Planning Proposals provides guidance on the geographic extent, method and duration of the required consultation for various kinds of planning proposals. The Policy also provides advice to submitters on the extent to which their comments may contribute to the City’s decision-making process.

Visit the Advertised DA page of this website for details of where you can view DAs.

For more information regarding the requirements of the Building Act 2011 and the Building Regulations 2012, please visit the Building Commission's website. Their Building Approval Process Guide will help you understand the process for obtaining approval to build and occupy a building in Australia.