Building Permits, Applications and Building Regulations

A building permit is written approval from a registered building surveyor, either Council or private, certifying that your plans comply with the Building Regulations and meet minimum construction standards. 

Unless an exemption exists, you must have a building permit before commencing building works. Depending on your project, you may also need to apply for a planning permit or an asset protection permit.  

Permit process

Step 1.Understand your project

When commencing any building project, you should understand the permit requirements around your build. Most projects require a permit. Our Do I Need a Building Permit? page provides general information about permit requirements for a range of projects. Or you can check the Building Regulations 2018 for the current requirements in Victoria.

Step 2.Selecting a building surveyor

Decide whether to engage a private building surveyor or use Council as your building surveyor. Both private building surveyors and Council have the authority to issue building permits. A list of private building surveyors can be found on the Australian Institute of Building Surveyors website.

Step 3.Supplying the necessary information

When applying for a building permit, you must provide enough information for your surveyor to assess the application.  Depending on your application, this can include

  • Evidence of your builder's registration with the Building Practitioners Board 
  • Proof of your builder's appropriate insurance 
  • Three sets of professionally drawn plans
  • A current copy (no older than 60 days) of the certificate of title for the land
  • A copy of the planning permit, if required

Step 4.Permit assessment

Once all required information has been submitted, your building surveyor will review your application. Your surveyor may approve or reject your permit. If approved, construction can commence in accordance with any permit conditions. If rejected, you may have the opportunity to modify your proposal to comply with Building Regulations.

Step 5.Inspections

After your building permit has been issued, your building will undergo inspections by your surveyor at various stages. For a new home, these stages typically include:

  • Before the pouring of a slab or placement of footings
  • Upon completion of framing
  • Upon completion of all building work
  • Any other time deemed necessary by your surveyor

Your surveyor may provide written instructions to your builder following these inspections, which your builder is obliged to follow. For more information about the inspection stage, please refer to the VBA’s Building Practice Note.

Step 6.Occupancy certificates

You can request your building surveyor to issue a certificate of occupancy or a certificate of final inspection at the completion of your project.

Your building surveyor may first need to verify certificates from the tradespeople involved in your project. Certificates of occupancy grant you the legal right to occupy your building and should be kept for future reference.

Apply online

You can use our eHume system to instantly lodge and pay for your building and planning requests.

Have an existing eHume account?

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New to eHume?

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The following permits can be applied for online through eHume:

Asset Protection Permits (APPs)

  • APP01: For building works over $20,000 or vehicle entry over two tonnes.
  • APP02: To occupy a road for works.
  • APP08: To access a building site from a non-vehicle crossing point.

Building Applications and Documents

  • Copies of plans: Request building permit-related plans/documents.
  • Report and Consent: Request approval for non-regulation-compliant constructions.
  • Building Regulation 51(1): Details of permits/certificates issued in the last 10 years.
  • Building Regulation 51(2): Information on land susceptibility to termites, flooding, snowfall etc.
  • Building Regulation 51(3): Details of inspection approval dates.
  • Section 30 Lodgement: Lodge building permit documents and certificates.
  • Section 80 Notification: Notify appointment of a Building Surveyor.

Planning Applications and Documents

  • Copies of planning permits or plans: Request planning permit and/or endorsed plans.
  • Residential Property Information Request: Information on planning permit requirement for residential land use/development.
  • Commercial Property Information Request: Information on planning permit requirement for commercial land use/development.
  • Demolition Request: Confirm if planning approval is required for demolition.
  • Request for Extension of Time: Apply for extension of planning permit expiry date.

If you can't lodge using eHume, you can make requests via email, post or in person.

You can also send your planning application by email to contactus@hume.vic.gov.au.

PDF forms

Building Control Schedule of Fees(PDF, 162KB) - our schedule of fees details the application fees for most major building and asset protection permits 

Application for Building Permit Form(PDF, 165KB) - use this form when lodging an application for a building permit

Affected Owners Consent Form(PDF, 174KB) - use this form to obtain the consent of adjoining landowners where your building varies the requirements of the Building Regulations.

Application to Amend a Building Permit -(PDF, 144KB)  use this form when lodging an application to amend a Building Permit.

Application for Extension of Time to Building Permit(PDF, 116KB)  - use this form to apply for an extension to the expiry date of your Building Permit.

Application for Occupancy Permit - POPE -(PDF, 358KB) use this form to apply for an Occupancy Permit for a Place of Public Entertainment.

Application for Property Information - Building -(PDF, 224KB) use this form to request details about any building records associated with your property (including requests for copies of building permits or plans), or for land information such as whether the land is prone to termites, flooding, snowfall etc.

Application for Report and Consent -(PDF, 247KB)  this is used to request Council consultation and approval to construct a building which does not meet the requirements of the Building Regulations in regards to street, side and rear setbacks, building height, walls on boundary, fence heights and setbacks, overlooking, over shadowing, site coverage or permeability, or to build over an easement.

Building Investigation Request -(PDF, 105KB)  use this form to request Council to investigate when you believe that a building does not meet the Building Regulations.

Half Cost Fencing Application -(PDF, 144KB) use this form when making an application for Council to share the cost of boundary fencing.  Please note that this only applies where your property adjoins Council owned land (not a road).

Terms of Appointment of Building Surveyor and Application for Building Permit(PDF, 318KB) - use this form to notify Council of the appointment of a building surveyor and to make an application for Building Permit.

Building permits

A building permit ensures that:

  • Your building practitioners are registered and insured
  • Adequate documentation for your building works is prepared
  • Independent reviews of your building documentation are performed
  • Key stages of your building work are independently inspected
  • Once work is complete, your building is independently assessed as suitable for use or occupation.

Asset Protection Permit application

Find out about applying for an Asset Protection Permit.

Building and Works Code of Practice

Council's Hume City General Purpose Local Law No.1 2023(PDF, 385KB) requires builders to comply with the Building and Works Code of Practice.(PDF, 614KB)

Connect to stormwater

For a permit to connect to stormwater (legal point of discharge) see Application for LPD.

View the Building Fee Schedule 2023-2024(PDF, 162KB) to see what fees and charges are required.

Building projects like new units, demolitions, renovations, extensions or new fences may need a planning permit. Check with Council's Statutory Planning Department before starting the design of a building project to find out more about planning permits.

When you meet with your Building Surveyor they will need to see the following documents:

  1. Building permit application form
  2. Certificate of Title, plan of subdivision (allotment plans) and covenant details
  3. Three sets of site plans
  4. Three sets of fully dimensioned architectural plans.

Council does not hold Certificate of Titles. We cannot give sound advice on any restrictions that may affect your property.

For further information visit Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning.

Council's qualified Building Surveyors and Building Inspectors can also assist home and property owners with general enquiries regarding building regulations and other building related concerns in Hume.

The Victorian Building Authority (VBA) regulates the building and plumbing industries in Victoria.  The VBA is responsible for the Building Regulations and other matters relating to complaints, compliance and enforcement.

The VBA can provide information about the building process, engaging a building practitioner or becoming an owner-builder.  The VBA also manages disputes with builders or plumbers.

For more information about the information and services offered by the VBA, visit the VBA website.

You must have the correct permits and approvals in place in order to change how an existing building will be used.

Examples of changing the use of a building include, but are not limited to:

  • changing a family house into a boarding house
  • changing a garage into a hairdressing salon
  • changing a warehouse into a place of worship
  • changing a factory into a gymnasium
  • changing an office into a shop
  • changing a shop into a bar or music venue

To change the use of a building, you will need to apply for a:

Buildings with certain uses will also need to be registered with Council's Environmental Health Department. 

Such businesses include, but are not limited to:

  • rooming houses
  • food premises
  • health and beauty premises

For further information, contact a private building surveyor or Council's Environmental Health Department on 03 9205 2200 or contactus@hume.vic.gov.au

View the Changing the Use of a Building Fact Sheet(PDF, 123KB) for more information.

Application for Report and Consent(PDF, 250KB)

This is used to request Council consultation and approval to construct a building which does not meet the requirements of the Building Regulations in regards to street, side and rear setbacks, building height, walls on boundary, fence heights and setbacks, overlooking, over shadowing, site coverage or permeability, or to build over an easement.

We are currently experiencing high volumes of applications and timeframes are extended. Please note processing Report and Consent applications may take 8 to 10 weeks. 

Starting a Boarding or Rooming house, or converting an existing building to a Boarding or Rooming house, will involve engagement with multiple services within Council.

Before you can start a Boarding or Rooming house, you need to meet legal requirements associated with Council’s Planning, Building Control and Environmental Health areas. This may include obtaining a Planning Permit, Building Permit, Occupancy Permit and registering the building as prescribed accommodation.

The process generally starts with Planning, followed by Building Control and concluding with Environmental Health.

View the Boarding Houses and Rooming Houses Fact Sheet(PDF, 371KB) for more information.

 

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