Demolishing, building and plumbing applications

A development approval is required before you start building and/or plumbing and drainage work on your property. This includes renovations, alterations and additions, and before constructing retaining walls, carports and swimming pools.

  • A Licensed Building Certifier can inspect and approve your building construction project in line with state laws and regulations; and
  • A Council Plumbing Inspector can inspect and approve your plumbing construction project in line with state laws and regulations.

Building applications

Preliminary removals

Building siting variations

Request an extension of time for a building permit

Plumbing and drainage applications

Request an extension of time for a plumbing permit

As constructed plans (drainage, site and house plans)

Search requests (building and plumbing inspection records)

Residential services building compliance notice

Building applications

Council's building section can assist with preliminary removal applications, siting variations and requests for extension of time. All other building applications including commercial, should be referred to a licensed building certifier.  A licensed building certifier must lodge all documentation with Council which keeps Council's property information up to date. 

Refer below for further information and the following link for all Fact Sheets and Application Forms. 

Preliminary removals

If you are looking to demolish, remove or relocate a structure within, to or from your property, you should determine whether this project will require a planning approval. Contact Council and ask to speak with the Development Assessment and Engineering team before lodging any applications.

A removal dwelling is a structure that can be moved from one property to another or moved to another location on the same property within Scenic Rim Regional Council. A building permit for a removal/demolition has a currency period of 12 months after which time the application will lapse.

Building approval for removal/relocating a structure

If bringing a structure into the Scenic Rim region, you will be required to submit an application for a Preliminary Removal.

If the structure is coming from another Council area, you may be required to seek approval from that local government agency to remove the structure.

Removal bond payment

Once the preliminary removal application has been assessed and approved, a removal bond will be set and payable before further approvals can be issued.

Building approval for demolition of a structure

If you are demolishing a structure on your property, you are required to submit a building application. Please contact a licensed building certifier.

Other permits/approvals that you will need

You will be required to submit additional applications such as:

  • Building application (contact a licensed building certifier);
  • Plumbing application;
  • Road bond and permit to move on roads.

Removal bond refund request

Through the rebuilding process a request can be made to release the security bond at stages of construction. To request a refund of the security bond, the stage of construction must be approved, and necessary certificates issued. Lodge a completed request form ensuring that the applicants name is the name that appears on the receipt issued for the security bond.

Removal bond request refund form

Building siting variation

A building boundary variation can also be called a siting variation. It is a prescribed area of a land parcel that cannot be built on unless dispensation is given by Council. You will need to apply for a relaxation if you wish to build outside the setback requirements for the property. Setbacks are generally in accordance with the Queensland Development Code:

  • Front boundary - 6 metres
  • Side/rear boundary - 1.5 metres for single storey
  • Side/rear boundary - 2 metres for double storey

Building siting variation checklist

The Planning Scheme can also prescribe set back distances for certain areas of Scenic Rim Council area which may or may not include building envelopes.

Refer to Council's Development Application and Property (DAP) online service

If there is a building envelope on the property, you must build within the envelope or apply to build outside the building envelop - contact Council's Development Assessment and Engineering department to discuss further.

Requesting an extension of time for a building permit

Under the Planning Act 2016 - section 86, a customer may apply for an extension of time on a current building permit currency period. An application must be submitted on Council's approved form together with the appropriate payment and supporting documentation before the lapsing period on the permit.

Plumbing and drainage applications

Construction involving plumbing and drainage work is regulated within the requirements of the Plumbing and Drainage Act 2018, Plumbing and Drainage Regulation 2019, codes and standards.

From 1 July 2019, permit application are divided into two streams - Fast Track and Standard applications which significantly reduces the timeframes for assessment by Local Government.

All permit work requires Council approval and in each case, an application must be lodged within Council together with required documents and fees.

Further information and information packs on how to lodge a plumbing applications can be located on the following links:

Requesting an extension of time and amendment for a plumbing permit

Commencing 1 July 2019, a plumbing permit takes effect the day of issue and ends two (2) years from this date.  Under Section 43 of the Plumbing & Drainage Regulation 2019, an eligible person may apply to extend the term of the permit or apply for an amendment to the permit for no more than two (2) years.

An application must be submitted on the approved Form 2 together with the appropriate payment and any supporting documentation at least ten (10) business days before the permit ends.

As constructed plans (drainage, site and house)

Drainage plans (dwelling houses) and as-constructed hydraulic plans (commercial or multi-dwellings) show the in-ground private sanitary drainage within a property that connects plumbing fixtures within the building to a sewer connection or on-site sewerage facility. Drainage plans do not show water supply or stormwater drainage.

Sewer connects - to check if your property has a sewer connection contact Urban Utilities on 13 26 57.

Please check with Council before applying as plans may not be available for older homes:

As constructed template

Council has developed a template for plumbers to use when drawing drainage plans.

Search requests (building and plumbing inspection records)

You can check if a property that you own or want to buy has all necessary building approvals by requesting a building search. Council building searches can also include current or outstanding notices that have been issued under the Register of Notices.

Council's building searches do not include any building plans or documentation other than the certificate issued.

Residential services building compliance notice (kitchen and common area only)

Application form for a building compliance notice, issued by the Local Government, stating that the premises comply with the prescribed building requirements for a residential service. 

Gaining or renewing accreditation as a residential services building includes demonstrating that the premises in which the residential service is offered complies with the mandatory building requirements in MP 5.7 - Residential Services Building Standard of the Queensland Development Code and new buildings meet the requirements of the Building Code of Australia.

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