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Building safety and compliance guidelines

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Stay safe and compliant with building and safety guidelines. Learn about bushfire-prone areas, smoke alarm requirements, shipping container permits, asbestos risks, and rainwater tank regulations.

Building and renovation projects must follow strict safety and compliance rules to protect people, properties, and the environment. 

Whether you're building in a bushfire-prone area, installing smoke alarms, placing a shipping container, dealing with asbestos, or setting up a rainwater tank, it’s essential to understand the regulations. 

This guide provides key information on requirements, building permits, and safety measures to help you build responsibly.

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Building in bushfire-prone areas

Bushfire-prone areas have special building requirements to reduce ember attacks and improve fire protection.

Check if Your Property is in a Bushfire-Prone Area

Use VicPlan to create a property report that shows:

  • Property details
  • Bushfire-prone status
  • A map of the area

Building Requirements

If you are building or renovating in a bushfire-prone area, you must use special construction methods. Before getting a building permit, you must show that your project meets bushfire safety standards. These standards do not guarantee protection from a fire front.

Key considerations

  • Choose a suitable site
  • Use bushfire-resistant materials
  • Ensure access to water
  • Manage vegetation around buildings

Important Areas to Protect

  • Floors, walls, windows, and doors
  • Roofs, vents, and gutters
  • Verandahs, decks, and service pipes
  • Emergency vehicle access and water supply

Bushfire Attack Level (BAL)

A BAL assessment measures your home’s exposure to bushfire risks, such as:

  • Ember attack
  • Radiant heat
  • Direct flame contact

When building in a Bushfire-Prone area, your property must comply with Australian Standard 3959.

Bushfire Management Overlay (BMO)

The BMO applies to land that may be significantly affected by extreme bushfires. 

If you are in the BMO, the BPA also applies. If your property is in a BMO, you may need planning approval if you want to build or develop your land. 

If your development requires a planning permit your planning permit application will need to address the bushfire hazard.

More information

For more information on building in bushfire-prone areas, visit Planning Victoria:

Smoke alarm requirements

All homes must have working smoke alarms. This applies to:

  • Houses, flats, hotels, motels, hostels, and boarding houses
  • Serviced apartments and single-room accommodation

Responsibilities

  • Homeowners must maintain alarms
  • Landlords must ensure alarms work in rental properties

Smoke alarm rules

  • New homes and renovations: Alarms must be hardwired with a backup battery and interconnected if there is more than one.
  • Homes built before 1 August 1997: Battery-powered alarms are allowed.
  • Alarms must meet Australian Standard AS 3786.

Installation and maintenance

  • Install on or near ceilings on every storey
  • Place between bedrooms and living areas
  • Test alarms regularly and replace batteries yearly

More information

For more information on smoke alarms, visit:

Shipping containers

A permit is required to place a shipping container on residential or commercial property.

Residential Use

A building permit is needed for medium- or long-term use, including:

  • Sheds
  • Storage
  • Habitable spaces

Short-term use (e.g., moving house) does not require a permit, but informing neighbours is recommended.

Rules

  • Empty containers cannot be stored on residential land
  • When a building permit is required, shipping containers must follow Building Regulations and the National Construction Code

Commercial and industrial use

A permit is required unless:

  • The container is used short-term for shipping
  • It is placed in a designated storage facility

For permanent placement a building permit is required.

More information

For more information on shipping containers, visit:

Rainwater tanks

Rainwater tanks help reduce stormwater runoff and water bills.

Installation & Regulations

  • No permit is needed for most installations
  • A permit is required if the tank is on a support structure or underground
  • A registered plumber must install all drainage and provide a Plumbing Certificate

Placement restrictions

Tanks cannot be placed:

  • Over easements (unless approved by authorities)
  • Over pit covers in easements
  • In front of your home
  • Within 500mm of a boundary

More information

For information on installing rainwater tanks on your property, visit:

Protecting neighbouring properties

Any building work on your property can impact your neighbour’s property. As a property owner, you must take steps to prevent damage from construction.

This is a legal requirement under the Building Act 1993.

Before construction

If your building work is near or next to a neighbouring property, you may need to complete protection work before getting a building permit.

Before a building permit can be issued, you must provide adjoining property owners with:

  • a list of all proposed protection works
  • construction plans
  • engineering plans

Your building surveyor will tell you if protection work is needed and provide the necessary forms.

Before a permit is issued, your neighbours must agree to the protection work. If they don’t, the building surveyor will decide what’s required.

Types of building protection works

Common types of protection work are:

  • retaining walls - to prevent soil movement
  • overhead barriers - to stop falling debris
  • propping of walls - to support structures
  • underpinning footings - to strengthen foundations

Requesting adjoining owner information

If you need information about a neighbouring property for your building permit, you can submit an Adjoining Owners Information Request Form.

More information

For more information on protecting neighbouring properties, visit:

Asbestos safety

Asbestos was widely used in buildings from the 1940s to 1980s. It is now banned due to serious health risks.

Where Asbestos is Found

  • Roof tiles, insulation, and wall panels
  • Pipes, water tanks, and vinyl flooring backing

Risks

Asbestos is dangerous when disturbed, as its fibres can cause:

  • Asbestosis
  • Lung cancer
  • Mesothelioma

Safe removal

The safest way to remove asbestos is to hire a licensed removalist. Contact WorkSafe at 1800 136 089 for a list of professionals.

Testing & Complaints

To check for asbestos, test a sample in an accredited lab. If you suspect unsafe asbestos removal, report it to WorkSafe.

More information

For more information on asbestos safety, visit:

Need help?

Contact Building Services and we will get back to you.

Or, call or Building Team on 9298 8125.

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