Building Approval (BA)
A BA is a Building Application/Approval also known as a Building Permit. The Building Application consists of the paperwork you submit to your private certifier with the intention of receiving a Building Approval. This usually consists of an IDAS Form 1, IDAS Form 2, a Notice of Engagement, Form 15 from an engineer, engineer stamped plans and any additional items required for your class of building work. In Queensland, all building work requires a building approval unless it is considered self-assessable or exempt.
Building approvals require assessment against the Building Code of Australia (forming Volumes 1 and 2 of the National Construction Code) and Queensland’s building and plumbing regulations. These codes and regulations address issues such as whether the building:
- is designed and constructed soundly and will be safe
- has an appropriate degree of fire safety
- has adequate protection from pests
- is adequately sewered and drained
- meets the minimum energy and water efficiency standards.
While building approvals are usually only issued once for a specific structure or building, building legislation may require various technical inspections at different stages of the building process, including completion.
Accredited private building certifiers issue building approvals. However, Brisbane City Council can also provide building certification services upon request. It is in your best interest to obtain quotes from multiple certifiers before choosing a building certifier.
The Planning Act 2016 and the Building Act 1975 require a private certifier to lodge building work documentation with Council.
Building certifiers are responsible for lodging building approvals and certification information with Council.
There are some development functions that a building certifier cannot handle. You must arrange these approvals through Council.
Examples include:
- any town planning matters that are not accepted development, subject to requirements under Brisbane City Plan 2014
- houses more than 9.5 metres high from the natural ground level in the majority of residential zones
- redevelopment or removal of heritage and character buildings.
The following activities require a decision or engagement with Council:
- building work on sites with vegetation protected by the Natural Assets Local Law 2003
- building work that impacts on stormwater infrastructure or sewer infrastructure may require a request to build over infrastructure application. You must lodge for Council or Urban Utilities approval. A building certifier or Registered Professional Engineers of Queensland (RPEQ) engineer can assess minor building work. Stormwater must connect to a legal point of discharge from your property.
- depositing material on footpaths. This requires an application/notice to work on Council property
- vehicle crossings and driveway gradients. This requires an application/notice to work on Council property
- erecting signs
- soil and erosion control for site works
- relaxation of boundary clearances, known as a siting variation.
What are the costs?
Each application carries a variable fee as it is dependant on the type of Building approval being applied for.
How long does a building approval take?
On average they take approximately 5 weeks but the building approval process can take anywhere between two weeks and four months, depending on the complexity of the application.
How long does building approvals last?
Most building approvals are good for two-years from the date of issue. Swimming pools must be checked within six months from the date of issue. Demolition approvals are good for one-year.
Note:
You need to get a Development Approval (DA) before a Building Approval (BA) can be issued, to lean more about DA approvals view our blog post “What is a DA Approval” here, or by following this link : https://exclusivesteelhomes.com.au/blog/post.php?permalink=do-i-need-da-approval-for-my-development
