Planning & Building Permits in Tasmania - Documents Required

What Papers Do You Need for Permits to Plan & Build in Tasmania?

So, you're thinking about building a house, adding on, or even just a shed? Get ready for some paperwork. It's not the fun part, but it's a must. No permit, no project – even if your design is awesome.

In Tassie, you usually need to jump through two hoops with the local council:

Planning permits (or proof you don't need one), and

Building permits (maybe plumbing permits too).

Sounds simple, right? Not always. It can feel like a maze. So, let's take a look.

Step 1: Planning Permits

Planning permits – sometimes called development applications – are about making sure your idea works with the Tasmanian Planning Scheme and local rules. Not every job needs one. If yours doesn't, still get it in writing that you’re no permit required (NPR). Otherwise, you're guessing, and that's risky.

There are four types:

• Permitted – Council has to say yes, but they might add rules.
• Discretionary – Council can say yes or no. Your neighbors get to comment for 14 days.
• Prohibited – Forget about it. Like, no factories in a neighborhood.
• No Permit Required (NPR) – Just what it sounds like.

What papers do you really need?
At the least, you’ll need:

• A filled-out form with your info
• The land title
• Drawings: site plan, floor plans, views
• A plan for how to handle soil and water

That's the basics. Where you’re building matters. You might also need reports from experts – like for fires, shadows, traffic, plants/animals, or soil. It can seem like a lot, but you just need the right reports for your spot.

Step 2: Certificate of Likely Compliance (CLC)

Before you get a building permit, a building surveyor needs to give you a Certificate of Likely Compliance. Think of it as a professional yes that your design should meet the National Construction Code (NCC).

You need it for most building – even tearing stuff down.

Step 3: Building Permits

Got your CLC? Good. Now you can ask the council for a building permit.

A couple things to know:

You have to start within a year of getting the permit. You have to finish in two years, or ask for more time. If you started building already without a permit, it's not the end of the world – but it makes things harder. You might need to get papers after the fact, and maybe redo some work to make it right. Not fun.

Step 4: Plumbing Permits

Doing new plumbing or changing old stuff? You need a plumbing permit. That means another form, more plans, and waiting for the OK before you start.

Checks Along the Way

Even after you get permits, the council will want to check things out at different points while you build. These OKs let you move to the next step. It can feel slow, but it's how they make sure things are done right.

How Modulos Design Can Help

I'll say it, this is a lot. Forms, land titles, reports – it's easy to get lost. That's where we can help.

At Modulos Design, we:

• Get all the papers together
• Talk to the council for you
• Work with engineers and other experts
• Keep things moving.

Getting permits in Tasmania isn't fun, but you have to do it. With the right papers, you can build with confidence. Without them, even a great design can get stuck.

Not sure where to start? Don't want to deal with papers? We can help.

📞 Call Modulos Design today. Let us help you.