thisplace.com.au - Council: Plans, Searches and Approvals

Copies of Existing Plans

If your structure is less than 10 years old the Council has a copy of your approved building plans. A letter requesting a copy of the plans, and providing as much information on the site as possible, is required to order a copy of the plans. A fee may be paid at any Council Customer Service Centre. Ten working days are required to retrieve your plans from archives and forward copies.

Searches

If you are purchasing an existing house, you can find details of the Council's records on the property with Council searches.

Building Approvals

Building approval is necessary to build any house. Basic Brisbane City Council requirements for houses are

Minimum Floor area of 60m2.
Maximum site coverage of 50 percent of the land area.
At least one toilet, basin, shower, kitchen sink, laundry tub and washing machine connection.
Minimum ceiling height of 2.4 metres in all habitable areas.

Planning scheme matters affecting residential dwellings
Council's advice and/or decisions are required for approval of building work involving

Small (between 300m2 and 450m2) and narrow frontage (10 to 15m) allotments.
Houses over 8.5 metres in height from natural ground level.
Relaxation of other siting requirements for buildings.
Redevelopment, removal or disposal of heritage and character buildings.
Exemptions for swimming pool fencing.

Other matters requiring approval/advice from the Brisbane City Council include

Sites affected by VPOs (vegetation protection orders).
Building over sewers or water mains.
Stormwater connections.
Building and construction site noise.
Soil and erosion control for site works.
Material deposited on footpaths.
Vehicle crossings and driveway gradients.
Erection of signs.

Natural Ground Level

If excavation has occurred to facilitate the erection of a building or other structure, the natural ground level is as if the building or other structure had not been erected. If material has been deposited to raise the level of the land and that material remains on the land, the natural ground level is the ground level at the date of registration of the title deed for that allotment.

To check on the natural ground level, see if the property is included in a current Building Application, or refer to a private certifier. Otherwise, you can obtain the services of a Licensed Surveyor.

Private Certification

The Building Act has been amended to allow the majority of processes under the Act to be administered by private certifiers as well as Council. Private Certifiers are able to undertake certification anywhere in Queensland. If engaged, they are responsible for certifying design approval and construction.

Private Certifiers cannot undertake certain functions due to their possible impact on the wider community. These functions must remain with Council and include:

Some enforcement (legal) actions.
Relaxation of boundary clearances (except free standing carports within 6.0m of front boundary).
Exemptions to the requirements for swimming pool fencing.
Building works which impact on Council's infrastructure.
Any matter relating to Town Planning matters and policies of Council.

Your Yard

Walls and Fences

Generally, owners of adjoining land are liable to contribute equally to the cost of building or replacing a dividing fence. Discuss the type of fence, cost and how it will be built with your next door owner. Make sure the fence is build on the common boundary. A registered surveyor can be employed to define the boundary line if you are not sure of its precise location.

Check with Council if:

The fence is to be higher than others in the neighbourhood.
The fence is to form part of a retaining wall.
There could be any restriction to water runoff.
The fence is to have some other unusual feature.

If your neighbour refuses to contribute, challenges the cost of disagrees with the type of fence you wish to construct, do not go ahead and build the fence. If you and your neighbour cannot reach an agreement after one month, either party may apply for an order to fence to either a Magistrates Court or the Small Claims Tribunal.

Boundary Clearances

Boundary clearances are important for light and ventilation and to help prevent the spread of fire between houses. In some instances, carports and garages can be built to the boundary, therefore other conditions apply to limit the risk of the spread of fire.

Different classes of structures have different sitting requirements. For garden structures that do not require Building Approval it is recommended that the structure be at least 600mm away from other structures, fences etc. for low maintenance purposes (600mm is approximately the width of a lawn mower).

You will also need to take into consideration the proximity of the structure to the side boundary to the road boundary and depending on the size of the back of the property in relation to allowable height.