Do you need to get a building approval?

Before you can start building, you need to check if you need a building approval. You will need approval for most types of domestic or commercial building work.

You will not need a building approval if your work is minor and is considered to be accepted development under the Planning Act 2016. Examples of some accepted development include:

• a small shed, stable or similar structure up to 10 square metres in area, with a maximum height of 2.4 metres
• a fence of not more than  2 metres high (excluding swimming pool fencing)
• a retaining wall of not more than 1 metre high (providing there is no load above it like a building or driveway).

Accepted development still needs to meet any applicable standards, the Logan Planning Scheme 2015 and the Queensland Development Code.

To find out if you need a building approval check our building approvals fact sheet (PDF 718 KB) or contact a private building certifier.

Is a planning approval needed?

Some building projects need a planning approval as well as a building approval. A private building certifier can tell you if you need a planning approval.

Some common building projects that need a planning approval include:

• a building that is too close to the property boundary or over the minimum boundary setbacks
• a building that is bigger than a particular size or height
• a building on land affected by an overlay in the Logan Planning Scheme 2015 (e.g. a steep slope or flood-affected land).

A planning approval for these building projects is needed before a private building certifier can give a building approval. Private building certifiers can help you lodge an application for a planning approval.

To check if you need to lodge an application for planning approval with us, see our development in Logan pages or contact our team. 

Building approvals issued by private building certifiers

Private building certifiers have been responsible for issuing building approvals in Logan since April 1998.

If a building approval was issued by a private building certifier it will need to be finalised by them.

If the inspections were not finished, the original certifier (or another certifier) can tell you how to meet the requirements.

If an approval has lapsed or the certifier is not contactable you will need to find a new private building certifier. They will need to start the process for a new building approval.

Private building certifiers must lodge approval documents, plans and inspection details with us for record keeping. Approved building plans lodged with us from July 2018 are freely available through the Development Enquiry Tool. For more information or to ask questions about online building plans, please email us at council@logan.qld.gov.au or contact our team.

If you are unsure about the status of a building approval you can ask us to search our records. For more information about a building approval status, please see Property search.

Building approvals issued by Council

Before the introduction of private certification in April 1998, councils granted building approvals.

We can finalise any building approvals issued between 1983 and April 1998. To finalise the approval, a Council building certifier will inspect the building and make sure it meets approval requirements.

If plumbing and drainage is a part of the works, a qualified Council plumbing inspector will also carry out a visual inspection.

If we are satisfied that the building meets the requirements of the approval, we will:

• issue a certificate of final inspection for a residential (class 1 and 10) building, or
• issue a certificate of occupancy (formerly certificate of classification) for a commercial (class 2 to 9) building.

Before we inspect the property we will need written authority from the current property owner.

Finalising a building approval

To finalise a building approval fill in a finalisation of building and plumbing approvals form (PDF 124 KB) and return it us.

The following terms apply when a building approval is finalised:

• the application fee must be paid before we can inspect the works
• we will inspect the works within 10 business days of the request
• the approval may depend on a final inspection or further action
• paying the fee does not guarantee a successful final inspection
• we will make every effort to issue a successful final certificate
• an officer will contact you to tell you the outcome of the inspection.

To learn more about how to finalise a building approval, download our Finalisation of a building approval (residential) fact sheet (PDF 1.26 MB)

Plumbing and drainage approvals

We finalise plumbing and drainage approvals or work that is able to be finalised.

To finalise approval, a Council plumbing inspector will inspect the building and make sure it meets approval requirements.

If we are satisfied that the building meets approval requirements, we will:

• issue a compliance certificate if a compliance permit was issued and staged inspections were carried out (excluding the final inspection), or
• issue a visual compliance certificate  if the works meet the relevant legislation but no evidence (or partial evidence) shows that staged inspections were carried out or no approval was given.

The plumbing and drainage approval involves a visual inspection only. It is limited to areas of the property or building where reasonable access is available at the time of inspection.

Finalising a plumbing and drainage approval

To finalise a plumbing and drainage approval fill in a finalisation of building and plumbing approvals form (PDF 124 KB) and return it us.

The following terms apply when a plumbing and drainage approval is finalised:

• the application fee must be paid before we inspect the works
• we will inspect the works within 10 business days of the request
• the approval may depend on a final inspection or further action
• paying the fee does not guarantee a successful final inspection
• we will make every effort to issue a successful final certificate
• an officer will contact you to tell you of the outcome of the inspection.

Residential services accreditation

The Queensland government asks all new residential accommodation services for a building compliance notice. We assess these facilities against the Queensland Development Code and make sure that they have suitable standards of health and safety. This involves an inspection of the premises by our building compliance officers.

A residential accommodation service includes:

• private boarding houses
• supported accommodation hostels
• aged rental accommodation.

Find out more about residential services accreditation on the Queensland Government website.

To apply for accreditation fill in a residential services building accreditation application (PDF 70 KB).

Building compliance

As a local authority, we are responsible for investigating matters relating to legislative compliance for building in Logan.

If we investigate building compliance and reasonably believe a breach has occurred, we may issue the following:

• show cause notice (PDF 99 KB). This outlines our understanding of an alleged offence and gives an opportunity for a response before more action is taken
• enforcement notice (PDF 40 KB). This is a statutory notice for specific action to be taken to fix an offence.