Building and Renovating
Renovating your home can be a daunting process if you don't know which steps to take. Before you begin, it's important to read and consider the helpful information below.
Do I need a building permit?
Most types of building works require a building permit. A building permit is provided by a private building certifier who will assess your proposed project and determine if it meets the standards. They use the current safety, health, amenity and sustainability standards in the Building Code of Australia, and any applicable legislation to do this.
As well as a building permit, you may need planning approval from Council, depending on what sort of development you are proposing. If you do require planning approval, your private building certifier may not be able to issue your building permit until you receive the approval from Council. For more information on planning approvals, access the Planning Approval page, or use the 'Search my Property' function in ePlanning to get information on your property.
What works need a building permit?
The following are examples of work that require a building permit:
- extensions or modifications to your existing building
- swimming pools and spas, and their fences
- shade sails, patios, pergolas, carports
- shipping containers (not short-term use)
- retaining walls greater than 1m in height
- sheds, including lawn lockers
- fences over 2m high
- detached signs higher than 2m or wider than 1.2m
- demolition or removal of a structure.
Construction in tropical cyclone region
Townsville City Council is in a tropical cyclone region. As a result, structures may require higher standards of construction and material quality. Some structures (including garden sheds and fences) that may be exempt from requirements in other regions will require a building permit.
Common building projects
We have identified a number of common queries for home renovation projects. We've provided some helpful information below to assist you in identifying whether your proposed dwelling or project will require planning approval. If your project is not on the list and you'd like to discuss any questions you might have, please contact Council to speak to us directly.
Building a dwelling, secondary dwelling or dual occupancy
Building a dwelling, secondary dwelling or dual occupancy will require a building permit from a private building certifier.
Most dwellings may be built in residential zones of the city without an additional planning application, subject to meeting some basic rules of the Queensland Development Code (QDC). A dwelling may also require planning approval from Council if located in one or more of the following zones and/or overlays:
- Character residential zone
- Airport environs overlay
- Coastal environment overlay
- Flood hazard overlay (high and medium hazard areas)
- Landslide hazard overlay (high and potential debris flow hazard areas or slope angle greater than 23 degrees)
- Water resource catchment overlay.
Search ePlanning to find out if your property is affected by these zones and overlays.
Extensions, raising and renovations
Before you start an extension or renovation, or if you want to raise or lower your dwelling, you should first find out key information about your property as outlined on the Planning Approval page. You should also enquire with a private building certifier if your building works will require a building permit, and ensure all works are compliant with the Queensland Development Code (QDC). Your building works may also require additional planning approval from Council if located in one or more of the following zones and/or overlays:
- Character residential zone
- Coastal environment overlay
- Cultural heritage overlay
- Flood hazard overlay (high and medium hazard areas).
Search ePlanning to find out if your property is affected by these zones and overlays.
Demolishing, removing and relocating
If you are looking at demolishing (including partial demolition) or removing an existing dwelling, you will need a building permit from a private certifier. You will also need to identify whether your property is located within a Character residential zone or the Cultural heritage overlay as works in these zones may need additional planning approval from Council.
Search ePlanning to find out if your property is affected by these zones and overlays.
Building a multiple dwelling
The Townsville City Plan defines a multiple dwelling as premises containing three or more dwellings for separate households. Examples include:
- apartments
- flats
- units
- townhouses
- row housing
- triplex.
Building a multiple dwelling will need a building permit from a private building certifier and you will most likely need to lodge a development application to Council for planning approval. Some factors that are commonly considered by Council as part of the assessment of a multiple dwelling application include the zoning of a property, applicable overlays, infrastructure requirements and existing surrounding uses. Before you lodge your application, it is important for you to obtain this information to ensure your chosen site is suitable for the development of a multiple dwelling.
Multiple dwellings can be accepted development, code assessable or impact assessable depending on the zone that your property is located within. Subject to compliance with all of the applicable codes, multiple dwellings are generally supported within the following listed zone codes:
- High density residential zone
- Medium density residential zone
- Mixed use zone
- Neighbourhood centre zone
- Local centre zone
- District centre zone
- Major centre zone
- Principal centre - CBD zone
- Specialised centre zone code (If in the James Cook University-Townsville Hospital precinct, Bayswater Road Medical precinct or Fulham Road medical precinct).
More information on zones, overlays and different levels of assessment can be found on the Planning Approval page or by identifying the zone in ePlanning and then searching for multiple dwelling in Part 5.5 Levels of Assessment - Material Change of Use in the Townsville City Plan.
Building a shed, carport or garage
Building a structure such as a shed on your property will require a building permit from a private building certifier. Generally, approval from Council is not required. However, you must consider boundary setbacks, site coverage and height requirements, and whether it may be over or in close proximity to sewerage or other infrastructure. To find out the requirements for boundary setbacks and building over/near to services, please consult the Queensland Development Code (QDC) or talk with your private building certifier directly. If your structure does not comply with the QDC, you may need to ask Council for a Referral Agency Response (also sometimes called a siting relaxation or a building over services application), prior to obtaining your building permit.
Application forms can be found in the Planning and Building section of the Forms and Permits page which is found under the ‘Referral Agency Response Application’ form.
Building a fence
Generally, building approvals are not needed to install or replace a front, side or rear boundary fence if the fence meets all of the following conditions:
- It is associated with an existing house (or other residential use).
- It is less than two metres high.
- It is not part of a swimming pool fence (swimming pool fences have their own requirements – see our page on swimming pools and spas).
- It is not part of a retaining wall.
- It would not restrict/concentrate water run-off from adjoining properties.
If your proposed fence does not meet one or more of these basic conditions, you may need to lodge a building application with a private building certifier.
For more information on the rules around fences dividing properties, go to the Queensland Government website dealing with housing and neighbours.
Note that the design and siting standards in the Queensland Development Code also contain mandatory standards for fencing.
