Domestic building approvals are residential construction in classes 1a and 10.
These structures include:
- Retaining Walls
- Townhouses / New houses / Granny Flats
- Alteration / Additions
- Decks / Patios / Pergolas
- Retaining Walls / Fences
- Pools and Spas
- Garages / Carports and Sheds
Building Approvals are required for all commercial buildings (Classes 2 – 9)
Pool Fencing needs to comply to AS 1926.1-1993. and QDC Part 3.4. To see if your pool fence complies, you can complete a checklist from the Queensland Government pool fencing website.
A new Pool/Spa will require approval for the pool/spa and the pool fence.
To complete this approval we will require:
- IDAS Forms 1 and 2
- Site Plan
- Pool/Spa construction details (engineering details) + Form 15
- Property Information (Council Services such as Sewer, Stormwater and Water Supply)
Carports, Garages and Sheds under 10 sq m do not require a Building Approval.
Generally a ‘Relaxation’ will be required if the proposed structure is to be placed within the front 6m of your property.
Required information to complete an Approval includes:
- IDAS Forms 1 and 2
- Site Plan & Elevation Plan
- Construction details / Engineering Details + Form 15
- Property Information (Council Services such as Sewer, Stormwater and Water Supply)
- QBSA Insurance or Owner Builder Permit (if applicable)
- Note that for a kit structure, much of this information is provided from the supplier or manufacturer.
A deck which is under 10 sqm and less than a meter off the ground or attached to a dwelling is not required to have a Building Approval.
A Patio is defined as being fixed to the dwelling and having impervious roof materials. Patios and Decks are required to have Footing and Final Inspections.
Pergola’s (without a roof) are only required to have a Final Inspection and can have a 0mm side boundary clearance.
‘Relaxations’ are usually required if the proposed pergola, patio or deck structure falls within the front 6 m of the property boundary (or thereabouts as this differs in some area) and is within 1.5 m from the side boundary.
To complete this approval we require:
- IDAS Forms 1 and 2
- Site Plan & Elevation Plan + Floor Plans
- Construction details / Engineering Details + Form 15
- Property Information (Council Services such as Sewer, Stormwater and Water Supply)
- QBSA Insurance or Owner Builder Permit (if applicable)
All New Dwellings are required to have Building Approval. All new dwellings are required to meet Energy Efficiency measures in accordance to QDC Part 4.1 and Water Saving Target in accordance with QDC Part 4.2.
A ‘Relaxation’ will be required if any part of the proposed dwelling is within (generally) 6m of the front boundary or 1.5 from the side and rear boundaries. There may be exemptions if the proposed dwelling is being built within a building envelope or the property has Covenant Approval.
Building height restrictions exist and differ by Council – ABA can provide specific information for you.
New Dwellings require the following information:
- IDAS Forms 1 and 2
- Full set of Plans
- Construction details / Engineering Details + Form 15
- Soil Report (if applicable)
- QBCC Insurance or Owner Builder Permit (if applicable)
- Q Leave if value of works is over $150,000
- Energy Efficiency Report (we can arrange this for you)
- Plumbing (if required) (we can arrange this for you)
- Title Search (or copy of current rates notice)
- RP Plan (available from the Department of Natural Resources)
- Local Government Council Infrastructure (i.e. Location of Sewer, Stormwater and Water Supply (Contact your local council)
- Covenant approval (if applicable)
All Alterations and Additions require Building Approval, including bathrooms and kitchens and any work involving the replacement or relocation of roofs, walls, floors or foundations.
Alterations / Additions require the following information:
- IDAS Forms 1 and 2
- Full set of Plans
- Construction details / Engineering Details + Form 15
- Soil Report (if applicable)
- QBSA Insurance or Owner Builder Permit (if applicable)
- Q Leave if value of works is over $150,000 and over including GST
- Energy Efficiency Report (we can arrange this for you)
- Plumbing (if required) (we can arrange this for you)
- Title Search (or copy of current rates notice)
- RP Plan (available from the Department of Natural Resources)
- Local Government Council Infrastructure (i.e. Location of Sewer, Stormwater and Water Supply (Contact your local council)
We require the following information for a demolition approval:
- IDAS Forms 1 and 2
- Site Plan
A development permit is not required for retaining walls less than 1m in height from natural ground level and no closer than 1.5m to an existing building or structure and clear of sewer manholes and easements.
Retaining walls greater than 1m in height require a 1m height safety barrier.
Retaining walls located on boundary lines greater than 2m in height above natural ground level, require a ‘Variation’ from the local authority, this includes fences.
To complete this approval we require:
- IDAS Forms 1 and 2
- Site Plan & Elevation Plan + Floor Plans
- Construction details / Engineering Details + Form 15
- Soil report (if applicable)
ABA offers support for the full end to end building certification process, providing advice and guidance along the way, and managing this process for you. However in order to do this, our administration team will start by requesting information from you, specific to the type of approval you require, including the required IDAS application forms (you can download them from this website) and architectural plans. Once our team have obtained all information, the Certifier will make an assessment against relevant legislations and planning schemes and provide an Assessment Report that may involve a request for additional information or changes needed. A Building Approval is issued once the design complies with all legislative and planning requirements.
Once construction begins, our Certifiers can be on hand for advice, but importantly will complete inspections of the construction at various required stages including at practical completion. Final Certificates (Form 21 if Class 1a or 10, or Form 11 if Class 2-9) are issued by ABA once all inspections are satisfactorily completed, contractor and installation certificates are provided and all Legislation and Town Planning Conditions have been met.
The sections below provide an indication of what information is typically required to get started.
