Is a permit required to build a garage?

Mr Inspector conducts pre-purchase building inspections Melbourne wide and is often asked by clients about what they require a building permit for.

Schedule 8 of the Building Regulations 2006 lists items where are Building Permit is not Required.

I will endeavour to summarize schedule 8 in regard to the queries I often receive in relation to Garages.

Garages

Class 10a buildings are typically Garages and sheds and are non-habitable buildings.

A permit is not required in relation to free standing Class 10a Buildings that;

a) Have a floor area not exceeding 10 square meters and

b) is no more than 3 meter high or, if situated within 1 meter of a boundary, is no more that 2.4 meters high and

c) is appurtenant to a building of another class on the same allotment, and

d) is located no further forward on the allotment than the front wall of the building to which it is appurtenant; and

e) is not constructed of masonry.

From this you can see there are some restrictions on when a permit is required for a class 10a building, e.g. a garage.

Building with bricks and you will require a permit.  Building it with a floor area greater than 10 m square and you will require a permit.

Over 3 meters high and you will require a permit. If it is within 1 meters of a boundary and greater that 2.4 meters high, you will require a permit.

Conclusion

The exemptions on requirements for obtaining a permit are found in schedule 8 of the Building Regulations 2006 which can be readily found on the internet.  These exemptions relate to fences, demolition, alterations to a building, underpinning, re-stumping, increasing floor areas, swimming pools and the list goes on.  Mr Inspector will endeavour to add more examples to his blog in the near future to assist you. If you have any queries, contact Mr Inspectors Building inspection service and we will be able to help.