Difference between planning and building approval

Planning and building approvals deal with different sets of issues. Planning determines what types of activities go where, as well as controlling and minimising the potential impacts on the surrounding properties. Building controls the safety of the structure.

Before construction or activity can start, a  proposed development may require either:

• planning approval (a development approval)
• or building approval
• sometimes both

For example:

• converting a shop to a restaurant may only require planning approval as no substantial building work is necessary
• a small extension to a house may only require building approval as there is no change to the use
• building townhouses on a site that previously only contained a house would require planning approval for the change as well as building approval for the construction of the buildings
• demolishing a house and subdividing the lot into smaller ones needs planning approval for the subdivision and building approval for the demolition. You may also need planning approval for the demolition when in a Demolition Control Precinct

Planning approvals

Planning approvals require assessment against the City Plan (Development Assessment) and are concerned with issues such as:

• whether the proposed activity is appropriate for the area and what impacts it might have on the function of the local area
• how the development will impact on neighbouring properties in terms of:
• • access to daylight
  • noise
  • privacy and overlooking of private spaces
  • whether the building will be physically overbearing
  • how the development affects the local streetscape and visual character
  • whether there is enough on site car parking space provided
  • whether access to the site is safe and whether the amount of traffic generated by the use is within the capacity of surrounding roads
  • whether there is enough open space allowed for recreation and landscaping

Building approvals

Building approvals require assessment against the Building Code of Australia and Queensland’s Building and Plumbing Regulations and are mainly concerned with issues such as:

• whether the building is soundly designed and constructed and will be safe
• that the building has an appropriate degree of fire safety
• whether the building is adequately protected from pests
• whether the building is adequately sewered and drained
• that the building meets the minimum energy and water efficiency standards

While planning approvals are usually only issued once, building approvals may require various technical inspections at different stages of the building process.