Renovation and Council Permit Requirements

discod on 16/03/2022 - 12:28
Last edited 16/03/2022 - 13:29

Hi All,

I am considering a renovation at my freestanding unit (in Melbourne Vic), involving the removal of an internal wall to open up the living space. I am OK with the process around my owners corp approval (basically just a notification of my intended works is sent to other residents).

I have had a registered builder inspect the property who has mentioned the wall I am looking to remove is just an internal non-load bearing wall.

I have spoken to my local council and they mentioned "any changes to the floor plan, irrespective of whether a wall is structural require a building permit".

Speaking to several builders about my plans, they mentioned I shouldn't need a permit for a non-structural wall removal and the council is just trying to charge me a fee for the sake of it.

Has anyone had to go through this as part of a renovation and can anyone confirm how to find out whether a council approval is actually required? Is there any building regulation I can consult?

Thanks

Home & Garden

Comments

  • Porker on 16/03/2022 - 12:45
    +1

    Generally non-load bearing wall removal won't require a Building Surveyor and Building Permit.

    Best speak to building surveyor as Council will be conservative in their response. Council won't come looking to see of your house has a wall or not.

    Different States have different regulations too so check your areas Building requirements

    For VIC, www.vba.vic.gov.au

  • WreckTangle on 16/03/2022 - 13:01

    I wonder this too…but i want to ADD a non load bearing internal wall (NSW)

  • Archi on 16/03/2022 - 13:04

    when you say 'UNIT' do you mean a house or apartment.?

    • jellykingdom on 16/03/2022 - 13:24
      +1

      Yes I figure the strata might need to be notified…

    • discod on 16/03/2022 - 13:28

      It is a freestanding strata unit.
      I need to notify my owners corp but that is a straightforward process I am OK with.

  • netjock on 16/03/2022 - 14:04
    +5

    The council is a bunch of comedians. Just do it.

  • Drakesy on 16/03/2022 - 14:29

    If it really is non-structural i don't see the issue,
    Agree with updating the strata though. Council really shouldn't need to be notified unless it was a significant structural change to the house or footprint (and i think the works are over $10k or something?)
    I think their jurisdiction is on the building footprint and exterior surfaces, not what goes on within it

    But the less they know the better.

  • Euphemistic on 16/03/2022 - 15:34
    +1

    Non structural work? Don’t bother with council. My place didn’t even have any plans on the council system so they wouldn’t know what was inside before I started anyway.

  • discod on 18/03/2022 - 08:17

    Thanks all.

    Doing some more research, I had a look at the Building Regulations (2018) and from my interpretation I actually believe this kind of work is exempt from a permit.
    The regulations provide an exemption for "alterations to a building that will not adversely affect the structural soundness or change an element that contributes to the support of another element of the building". To my, this would suggest the work would not require a permit if the wall is not load bearing.

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