Demolish all or part of a building

Generate a Planning Property Report on the VicPlan website by entering the address of your property.

This will tell you if your property has any overlays (special conditions).

You need a Planning Permit if your property has a heritage overlay.

Does your property have a heritage overlay?

•    If yes, apply for a Planning Permit then go to the next step.
•    If no, go to the next step.

In this step, you need to know if your building is classified as a Class 10 structure.

Building regulations classify Class 10 structures as a:

• shed, private garage or carport (Class 10a structure)
• fence, mast, antenna or retaining wall (Class 10b structure)
• private bushfire shelter (Class 10c structure).

You need a Building Permit if any of these apply:

• You are demolishing a building that is not a Class 10 structure (such as a house or commercial building).
• You are demolishing a Class 10 structure that’s attached to another building (it’s not freestanding). 
• You are demolishing a Class 10 structure that is not attached to another building and any of these apply:
  • You will be demolishing masonry (for example, stone, bricks or concrete).
  • Your demolition works will endanger the public or people who occupy the building.
  • The floor area of the structure or part of the structure you want to demolish is more than 40 sq m. 
• The building or part of the building you want to demolish is on the Victorian Heritage Register. You may also need approval from Heritage Victoria for any demolition works, in addition to the Building Permit. Contact Heritage Victoria for advice.

Do you need a Building Permit?

• If yes, apply for a Building Permit then go to the next step.
• If no, go to Step 4.

You need to make a Report and Consent for demolition application if you want to do any of these:

• Demolish the whole building or structure.
• Demolish more than half the volume of the building or structure over a 3-year timeframe. (Tip: volume = length x width x height of the building or structure)
• Demolish any part of the façade of a building or structure.

A façade is an external wall that faces a street or laneway, with at least part of the façade visible from the street. It may include architectural features attached to the wall, such as a verandah or balcony.

If you’re not sure if your work needs a Report and Consent for demolition, ask your building surveyor (if you have one) or contact our Building Services team for advice.

Note: This type of application is called a Section 29a Report and Consent Application.

Do you need to apply for Report and Consent for demolition?

• If yes, apply for a Report and Consent for demolition then go to the next step.
• If no, go to the next step.

You may need other permits, depending on your situation.

If you need to:

• remove, prune or do works within 2 m of a canopy or significant tree during your works, apply for a Tree Works Permit 
• store equipment on a road, footpath or nature strip, apply for a Road or Footpath Occupancy Permit. 

If your works could impact:

• driveway access to your property, apply for a Vehicle Crossing Permit 
• public assets, such as roads, footpath or nature strip, apply for an Asset Protection Permit.

You can begin construction:

• after all your permits or permissions have been issued
• if your situation does not require any permits or permissions.