Building approval process

Applying for a building permit

When preparing to lodge a building permit application, it’s important to check that all the required forms are completed and signed.

The following documents are required for a building application:

• Form 2 – Application for Building Permit 
• Form 11A – Certificate of Likely Compliance Building Work or Form 11C Certificate of Likely Compliance Demolition Work 
• Up-to-date copy of the Certificate of Titles
• Form 35 – Certificate of Responsible Designer 
• TasWater Certification (if required)
• All Plans drawn by a suitably qualified person 

You can find all of the above forms on the Consumer, Building and Occupational Services website – under ‘Approved forms’.

Lodging your application

Your electronic application should be submitted in PDF format containing all relevant documents.

Email your application to buildingandplumbing@ccc.tas.gov.au, alternatively applications can be provided in person at council chambers (38 Bligh Street, Rosny).

Payment of fees

Once we receive the application, we will send an invoice by email that includes all fees and other levies. The official assessment process begins once the invoice has been paid.

Do council retain old house plans?

Yes, we retain house and drainage plans for the majority of properties within the city boundaries.

For a fee, council can conduct a search for your plans upon completing a request for Building and Drainage Plans.

Before request a copy you’ll need:

1. A copy of your drivers licence or passport
2. If you’re not the property owner you’ll need a completed Owner Authority Form.

Each application is assessed by multiple departments and may require additional information or may be refused. We will communicate these decisions directly with the applicant and/or agent.

The statutory timeframe for a building permit to 14-21 working days. If the works are deemed as Category 3 (notifiable works), the building surveyor may approve works to begin as soon as council fees are paid.

Building permit application approval

Once the application has been approved, you will receive your building permit and endorsed plans by email or an email acknowledgement from council, if the works are deemed as Category 3 (notifiable works) by your building surveyor.

Appealing a building permit decision

If you consider any conditions unreasonable or would like to dispute the process then you have the right to lodge an appeal with the Tasmanian Civil & Administrative Appeal Tribunal (TASCAT).

Amending a building permit

During your building works, things can change and owners, designers or builders may decide to amend the plans. When this happens, it may impact previous approvals such as planning, engineering, building or plumbing approval. Plans of the proposed change should be drawn by a suitably qualified person and given to your building surveyor to assess. The building surveyor will then determine if the proposed changes need to be referred to us.

Where plans are re-submitted to council by a building surveyor this will usually consist of an amended Form 11A Certificate of Likely Compliance Building Work and certified plans. An amendment assessment fee will apply (see the Council Fees and Charges).

Starting work

Building work must commence within 12 months of the date of the permit issue date and be completed within 24 months of the date of the permit issue unless otherwise specified. Site works and excavation that form part of proposed building works must not occur until approvals have been obtained.

Extending a building permit

Where works are not complete within 24 months, an applicant may apply for an extension of time by completing:

• Form 76A Application for Extension Duration of Building Permit
• Form 76C Application for Extension of Duration Demolition Permit (as applicable).

This application should be submitted at least five days prior to the expiry date of the permit and be supported in writing by a building surveyor and additional fees may be required.

At the completion of building work under a building permit, your building surveyor will need to issue a Form 12 Certificate of Final Inspection – Building Work, or Form 69 Certificate of Final Inspection – Demolition Work. They will provide council with a copy of this certificate.

Provided that all other associated works such as plumbing approval have also been completed, council will issue a Certificate of Completion.

Where building work has been undertaken without the required permits, there is a process to bring this into compliance. Council officers can investigate the previous approvals and plans and conduct a property inspection.

The inspection may conclude that no further action is required, or it may lead to enforcement action such as the issue of building notices and/or orders: such as a requirement to engage a building surveyor, an appropriately qualified person to design plans and provide compliant applications documents. A Building Surveyor must confirm if any additional qualified persons need to be engaged.

If you think that the property you own may have had works undertaken without approval, please contact our building team on 03 6217 9500. Getting this resolved earlier rather than later is better, so you can avoid any issues if you try to sell the property.