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How do I get building consent?

Report and consent is the process to seek approval for building or construction works that may affect community assets, infrastructure or amenity. This could be because your building design does not meet a requirement of the Building Regulations 2018 or involves specific types of work like hoarding, demolition and building over an easement. You must get our consent before a building permit can be issued. Learn about the key steps in the approval process.

The video below outlines the key steps in the report and consent process, what to expect and who is involved.

The report and consent process video transcript (DOCX, 19.93KB)

What do I need report and consent for?

Siting requirements

This is where single dwellings on a block (that do not need or already have a planning permit) do not comply with siting requirements in the building regulations such as:

  • setbacks
  • building heights
  • site coverage
  • overlooking
  • overshadowing
  • open space.

Non-siting requirements

This is where works require:

  • demolition
  • hoarding
  • building in a flood-prone area
  • building over an easement, or
  • projections beyond the street alignment.

The Victorian Building Authority has a practice note on report and consent that provides further information.

If consent is required, a building surveyor cannot issue a building permit until it has been granted.

Where can I find the siting requirements for my house?

The Building Regulations 2018 set out the standard siting requirements for a single dwelling on a block over 500m2 (division 2, part 4). In Bayside, four of the standard siting requirements have been varied through the Bayside Planning Scheme to tailor them to the local area. These include:

  • minimum street setbacks (regulation 409)
  • site coverage (regulation 411)
  • side and rear setbacks (regulation 414)
  • front fence height (regulation 424)

The complete set of siting requirements that apply are outlined in this siting requirements for one dwelling information sheet.

Siting requirements for one dwelling information sheet (PDF, 317.55KB)

What are the key steps to the report and consent process?

1. Review the applicable Minister’s guideline 

If you are applying for report and consent for siting matters, determine whether your application meets all the decision guidelines in the Minister for Planning’s siting and design of single dwellings guideline. If it doesn’t, we are legally obliged to refuse your application.

If you aren’t sure, talk to your building surveyor or architect or contact us on (03) 9599 4660.

2. Submit a report and consent application

Complete the relevant application form, provide all supporting documents and pay the fee as outlined on the form.

Siting requirements

Report and consent application for siting matters form (PDF, 608.14KB)

Demolition

Apply for a report and consent for a proposed demolition online

Hoarding

Report and consent application for non-siting matters - reg 604 (PDF, 822.41KB) (OUTDATED?!?!?)

Building over an easement

Apply for a build over easement permit online

Other non-siting requirements

Report and consent application for non-siting matters (PDF, 963.75KB)

3. We will review your application

This may involve a site inspection and seeking feedback from relevant third parties, such as VicRoads or South East Water if required.

4. Your application may be advertised

If we think your neighbours may be impacted by your proposed building we will send them a letter inviting them to comment. Generally, we allow up to 2 weeks for them to review the proposal.

If you are invited to provide feedback on a neighbours report and consent application please review our guideline document:

Guidelines for adjoining owner comments (PDF, 411.95KB)

before you complete the owner comment form:

Adjoining owner comment form for report and consent application (PDF, 572.81KB)

If required, we mediate between the applicant and neighbours to achieve an acceptable outcome.

5. A decision is made about your application

Your application is assessed against the Minister’s guidelines. Neighbour and third-party feedback are also considered, and a decision is made.

If the application is approved you can apply for a building permit. If it is refused you can:

  • change the design to comply with the building regulations, or
  • appeal the decision (see point 6).

6. You can appeal to the Building Appeals Board 

Applicants can appeal a refused report and consent application to the Building Appeals Board, however, neighbours do not have appeal rights when an application has been approved.

What if I want to change my building design?

You can change your report and consent application any time up until a final decision is made. After that, you must apply for a variation.

To request a variation, complete the amendment to council report and consent form and submit it with the required supporting documents.

Amendment to council report and consent form (PDF, 473.90KB)

If you change the designs after neighbours have commented, the new design will need to be provided to neighbours for further feedback.