A clearer picture of planning permissions

It’s easy to feel confused about the council approval process for home extensions or renovations. The rules vary around Australia and even between the different councils. Read on to learn the basics about planning permissions.

The difference between planning permission and building permission

Planning permissions, more commonly known as a DA (Development Approval),  is basically a request to have your building plan approved and a prerequisite to getting a building permit. This process ensures the structure you plan to build suits the surrounding environment. For example, a large factory is unlikely to get a DA in a residential area.

When you do have planning permission, you still need to satisfy the council that your building will be constructed to minimum standards or better and comply with building codes at the local, state, and federal levels. This is when the building permission comes into play.

It’s not only building projects that require a planning permit. Demolition work, tree removal, subdivision of land and other projects that have an impact on the vicinity also need planning permission. Some small structures, such as a pergola, could be exempt, and some standard home designs are also good to go with just a certificate of compliance.

The planning permission process

A good first step is to contact your local council to get some advice. Let them know what you are planning and a rough estimate of the cost.  This helps eliminate the risk of missing important steps in the approvals process. If anything goes wrong, you might be fined a significant amount or, worse, be forced to demolish the building project.

Professionals such as architects or building designers are a wise investment if you are contemplating the costly process of seeking planning permission and a building permit.  They can submit your preliminary plans for a DA to the council and then follow up once you have approval by creating the final plans you need to get permission to build. Some are also specialists in ‘fuzzy’ aspects of planning permissions that your local council can’t provide a clear answer to.

The bottom line is that any major alterations require planning permission, and it’s best to check with your local council or a qualified development assessments officer if you are unsure.