Demolition Permits in Victoria: 9 Council & Approval Questions

For a demolition permit in Victoria, the answer depends on the structure, property and proposed work. NextSite helps you understand the demolition scope; council and the relevant building surveyor determine the approvals that apply. A quote is not permission to start work.

Do I need a building permit to demolish a house or shed in Victoria?

House demolition generally requires a building permit. Some limited exemptions may apply to particular structures or work, but ‘small shed’ alone is not enough to establish one.

Have a registered building surveyor confirm the position before demolition. Planning controls, asbestos duties, utility safety and local permits can still apply even where a building-permit exemption exists.

What is Section 29A report and consent, and when is it required?

Section 29A is a council report-and-consent process before a demolition building permit is issued where its triggers apply. These include demolition of any part of the facade or demolition exceeding half the building's volume, counting relevant demolition completed or permitted over the preceding three years. This is a volume test, not simply floor area.

Ask the building surveyor whether your proposal triggers it and ask council what documents are needed. It is separate from a planning permit and does not override heritage or other planning controls.

Who applies for the demolition permit: owner, builder or contractor?

Responsibilities and authority must be agreed for the project. The relevant building surveyor issues the building permit; the owner or an appropriately authorised agent can have application responsibilities. Appointing a surveyor and submitting an application are not the same task.

Ask NextSite which applications, coordination and fees are in the quote and what you must supply or authorise. Do not assume the builder's new-home approval also covers demolition.

What is an asset protection permit, and how is the council bond refunded?

Many councils require asset-protection arrangements to protect footpaths, kerbs, roads and other public assets during building or demolition work. Permit names, fees, deposits and inspection procedures differ between councils.

Check whether a pre-work condition record and final inspection are needed. Council decides refund eligibility after its requirements are met; damaged assets or outstanding conditions can affect the amount or timing.

Can I demolish a Melbourne house with a Heritage Overlay?

A Heritage Overlay commonly introduces a planning-permit requirement for demolition, and approval may be restricted or refused. A building demolition permit does not replace planning approval.

Check the planning scheme, overlay schedule and heritage status with council before committing to a knockdown-rebuild. Victorian Heritage Register properties may also need separate Heritage Victoria approval. SiteScan can flag potential mapped controls, but is not a planning decision or a guarantee of approval.

What are protection work notices, Forms 7 and 8, and when are they required?

Where the relevant building surveyor determines protection work is required, the owner follows the formal adjoining-property process. Form 7 gives notice of proposed protection work; Form 8 is the adjoining owner's response.

They are not merely courtesy neighbour letters. Engineering details, insurance and condition-survey obligations may also apply. Ask your surveyor when the process must occur and what needs resolution before the affected work begins.

What permits apply if demolition closes a footpath or road in inner Melbourne?

Use of a footpath, road reserve or public space may need council or road-authority permission, traffic-management approval and other permits for hoardings or equipment. Yarra, Merri-bek and Port Phillip have their own application procedures.

Confirm the road authority, occupation area, truck access and pedestrian arrangements early. A demolition building permit is not automatic permission to block a road or footpath.

Do I need permission to remove trees during demolition in Victoria?

Tree removal can be controlled by planning overlays, native-vegetation provisions, permit conditions or council local laws. A Vegetation Protection Overlay or Significant Landscape Overlay may matter; council-specific tree controls may also apply without those overlays.

Identify trees to retain or remove on the plans and obtain council or arborist advice before clearing. A demolition quote should not be treated as authority to remove a protected tree.

How do residential and commercial demolition approvals differ?

Both can need building and planning approvals, service isolation and safety planning. Commercial or industrial sites can introduce more complex structures, occupied premises, asbestos registers, hazardous materials and traffic or environmental controls.

The actual work—not simply the residential or commercial label—determines requirements and professional involvement. Send NextSite the plans, reports, occupancy details and proposed staging for a scope-specific assessment.