Your step-by-step guide to permits, planning, and paperwork before building in Tasmania — including timelines, contracts, and consumer protections.
1. Why You Can’t Skip the Approvals Process
Building in Tasmania isn’t just a matter of having a great idea and a good builder. Whether it’s a dream home, an extension, or a renovation, you need to navigate permits, planning rules, and building regulations to ensure your project is legal, safe, and insurable.
2. The Key Players in Your Project
- You, the Owner – ultimately responsible for ensuring work is approved
- Licensed Building Designer or Architect – prepares compliant plans
- Licensed Builder – constructs your project in line with approved documentation
- Licensed Building Surveyor – checks designs, inspects work, and issues approvals
- Local Council – assesses planning applications and records permits
3. Understanding the Tasmanian Approval Types
Planning Permit
Needed if your proposal affects zoning, land use, or overlays.
Building Permit
Issued by a Private Building Surveyor for structural works.
Plumbing Permit
For works involving water, drainage, or wastewater systems.
Notifiable Work
Medium-risk work (like standard kit homes, larger sheds, decks) that still requires a building surveyor but not full council assessment.
Low-Risk Work
Small sheds (≤18m²), low decks, and fences that may be built without a permit, provided they meet NCC and legislation.
4. Site Considerations That Affect Approvals
Before you design, check whether your land is in:
- Bushfire-prone area – requires a BAL assessment
- Landslip hazard area – may require a geotechnical report
- Heritage precinct – additional design constraints apply
- Coastal erosion/inundation zone – special engineering required
- Scenic landscape or biodiversity protection area – additional restrictions
Check zoning and overlays here: LISTmap Planning Layers
5. The Step-by-Step Process
- Site & Feasibility Review – assess zoning, overlays, constraints
- Concept Design – prepare drawings aligned with planning rules and NCC
- Consultants – engage surveyors, engineers, bushfire assessors early
- Planning Permit Application (if required) – 4–8 weeks for approval
- Detailed Documentation – prepare working drawings, engineering, and reports
- Building Permit Application – 2–4 weeks via your building surveyor
- Construction & Inspections – surveyor checks key stages for compliance
- Practical Completion & Certificate of Occupancy – legal approval to move in
6. Contracts, Warranties & Consumer Protections
If your residential building contract is worth $20,000+, you must:
- Have a written, signed contract including plans, price breakdown, timelines, and statutory warranties
- Be given the Residential Building Consumer Guide before signing
- Understand your cooling-off rights (5 days after receiving the contract & guide)
- Limit deposits to 10% for $20k–$50k projects or 5% for $50k+
- Ensure variations are agreed in writing before work starts
- Know that statutory warranties last 6 years and transfer to new owners
7. How Long Does It Take?
- Straightforward projects: 3–4 months to permits
- Complex/discretionary: 6–12 months or more
Tip: Start 12–18 months before your desired construction date to avoid bottlenecks.
8. Tips to Avoid Delays & Disputes
- Engage licensed, experienced professionals
- Check overlays and permit triggers before designing
- Get all variations in writing
- Keep communication open with your builder and building surveyor
- Use CBOS mediation early if issues arise
9. Useful Resources
10. How Modulos Design Can Help
At Modulos Design, we manage the process from concept to council approval so your build is smooth, compliant, and ready to construct.
📞 Contact us today to book your Design Discovery Session.
