You may need a building permit for a deck if you don’t meet certain requirements. A licensed building certifier or building consultant can provide advice regarding what works require building approval.
Deck
Find out if you need planning and building approvals to build a deck. Submit your building certification documents.
What do I need to know before getting started?
Before you start your deck project, you should:
- confirm key facts about your property, including zones and overlays, by using City Plan online
- understand the development application process.
What types of approval do I need?
Planning approval
You may need planning approval if:
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your property is located within a relevant overlay such as the Traditional building character overlay
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your property is located within a neighbourhood plan area and does not meet specific requirements
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adding the deck doesn’t involve minor demolition or minor building work.
If planning approval is required, you’ll need to lodge a development application.
Follow our step-by-step guide to prepare and lodge a development application.
Building approval
You don’t need building approval for a deck if:
- the plan area of the deck is no more than 10 metres square
- the deck has a height of no more than one m above its natural ground surface
- the deck is not roofed
- any side of the deck is no longer than 5 m
- it will not affect the structural integrity of existing buildings, retaining walls or other structures on property or the adjoining property
- it will not alter an existing pool enclosure or pool fence.
If your project doesn’t meet all the requirements, you’ll need building approval.
Even if you don't need building approval, you'll need to ensure your work complies with all relevant building codes and standards outlined in the National Construction Code.
Contact a licensed licensed building certifier to arrange building approval for your proposed carport or garage.
Your building certifier can also seek alternative provisions, such as the setback from the front, side or rear boundary, by lodging a request for a referral response.
What happens after I lodge my development application?
Once we’ve received your development application, we‘ll check it:
- complies with properly made requirements
- includes all the relevant documents.
A fee quote will then be issued for payment. Council uses a points system to calculate development application fees, which can vary depending on your project.
Application assessment
Properly made applications proceed through an assessment process in set stages.
If your application is not properly made, you’ll receive an action notice and have 20 days to comply.
You must let Council know that the action notice has been complied with. We’ll consider whether the action notice has been fulfilled and issue a Confirmation Notice if satisfied that the application is properly made.
If you’re unsure, request information and advice.
Keep track of your development application
You can check the status of your development application on our development and search tracking tool, Development.i.
Look up your development application by number or location and select 'Details'. The status is under 'Progress'.
Information for building certifiers
Under the Planning Act 2016, Council must hold records of building construction approvals and certification information. These documents will be kept for a specified period of time and made available for inspection.
A detailed list of required lodgement materials is outlined in Planning Regulation 2017 and s86 of the Building Act 1975.
You can lodge building certification documents online for a fee of $72.30.
Sign in to the Services Brisbane for Business portal to lodge your building certification documents.
You can also lodge building documents at any Customer Centre. Phone Council’s Business Hotline on 133 BNE (133 263) to ask about the fees for lodging building documents in person.