What Paperwork Do I Need for my Shed Permit?

13 February

Need to Know:

  • Preparing everything for your shed permit involves gathering some paperwork, which we cover in this article.
  • You’ll need to contact a building surveyor, and there’s also a levy to pay to get the permit issued.
  • Complex sites and builds may also need an additional permit, known as a planning permit.
  • In any case, the Buffalo Built team is here to guide you through the process. 
Picture of Ross Barker
Ross Barker

Managing Director, Buffalo Built

In this Article:

When Do I Need a Permit for a Shed in Victoria?

If you’ve made the decision to have Buffalo Built project manage your shed build, we’re happy to look after the entire process for you. 

However, if you’re going down the owner builder path, you’ll need to do a little bit of legwork in order to secure your Building Permit. 

Here’s our guide to preparing to get your shed permit including the documentation you’ll need to provide.

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Preparing to Apply for a Building Permit in Victoria

Class 10a buildings – including sheds, garages and carports over 10m2 – typically need to be approved by a building surveyor before any construction can begin.

The Buffalo Built team has a wealth of experience in helping our clients through the permit process, and one of the most common questions we get asked is ‘how do I start, and what paperwork do I actually need in order to get a permit for a shed in Victoria?’

The first step is to get in contact with a registered building surveyor. Your local Council will most likely have a surveyor on staff, or you can reach out to a private surveyor if you prefer.

To apply for the permit itself, you’ll need to gather the following documentation.

Paperwork Required for Your Shed Permit

  • At least three copies of:
    • Drawings
    • Specifications
    • Allotment plans
  • The completed application form
  • Any other prescribed information
  • The levy – this is based on the cost of the building work.

You’ll need to pay the building permit levy yourself or through a person authorised to do so. The VBA needs to receive payment before they will provide a building permit number and issue the permit.

"Note that permits have an expiry date too: this varies depending on the type of building and more information can be found on the VBA site. As a guide, you'll need work to begin within 12 months of the permit being issued and complete the work within 24 months."
Ross Barker
Ross Barker

Additional Approvals – Do I need a Planning Permit too?

In some cases, your project may need an additional level of approval, known in Victoria as a Planning Permit.

Planning Permits come into play when you are looking at building over easements, in specific Council zones, or in areas subject to overlays.

In most cases, Planning Permits are more about the site than the shed design, so if you have some specific features or zones that affect your property, we can help you navigate this process.

Multi-Purpose Farm Shed
Picture of Ross Barker

Ross Barker

Managing Director, Buffalo Built

For Shed Permits in Victoria, We’re Here to Help.

The Buffalo Built team is here to support you in getting your (potentially complex) Council approvals in order.

Get in touch with our team to find out how we can make the process stress-free by taking care of permits for you – from start to finish!