Building search

Building search provides information that Council has record of in the form of a letter about approved building applications.

Building search does not include copies of any building plans or documents or certificates, other than certificate of occupancy if applicable. Find out about applying for copies of building plans or documents.

For information about building approvals, visit building approvals.

For information about pool fencing, visit pool fencing and safety regulations.

Related transactions

Lodge a building search online

Building search options

Options	Details of search
Option 1 Property improved by a single detached class 1a dwelling being a standalone house used for residential purposes This includes any associated class 10 structures but does not include an attached class 1a dwelling being a duplex, townhouse, row house or the like.	A comprehensive building search consists of three search types as listed below. Building search fees and charges are applied for each search type. Building search will provide information in the form of a letter identifying: Building Records Search - List of building approvals dating back to 1946 Building Inspections Search - List of building inspection dates for each listed building approval Building Property Notice Search - List of any outstanding building property notices issued in accordance with the Building Act 1975 and Planning Act 2016.
Option 2 Property improved by a building/structure OTHER THAN a single detached class 1a dwelling	A comprehensive building search consists of three search types as listed below. Building search fees and charges are applied for each search type. Building search will provide the information in the form of a letter identifying: Building Records Search - List of building approvals dating back to 1946 Certificate of Occupancy Search - List of certificates of occupancy including a copy of certificate if available. All buildings built after 1 April 1976 require a certificate of occupancy (formerly referred to as a certificate of classification) unless the building is a single detached class 1a building or a class 10 building or structure. Building Property Notice Search - List of any outstanding building property notices issued in accordance with the Building Act 1975 and Planning Act 2016.

Options

Details of search

Option 1

Property improved by a single detached class 1a dwelling being a standalone house used for residential purposes
This includes any associated class 10 structures but does not include an attached class 1a dwelling being a duplex, townhouse, row house or the like.

A comprehensive building search consists of three search types as listed below. Building search fees and charges are applied for each search type.

Building search will provide information in the form of a letter identifying:

Building Records Search - List of building approvals dating back to 1946
Building Inspections Search - List of building inspection dates for each listed building approval
Building Property Notice Search - List of any outstanding building property notices issued in accordance with the Building Act 1975 and Planning Act 2016.

Option 2

Property improved by a building/structure OTHER THAN a single detached class 1a dwelling

A comprehensive building search consists of three search types as listed below. Building search fees and charges are applied for each search type.

Building search will provide the information in the form of a letter identifying:

Building Records Search - List of building approvals dating back to 1946
Certificate of Occupancy Search - List of certificates of occupancy including a copy of certificate if available. All buildings built after 1 April 1976 require a certificate of occupancy (formerly referred to as a certificate of classification) unless the building is a single detached class 1a building or a class 10 building or structure.
Building Property Notice Search - List of any outstanding building property notices issued in accordance with the Building Act 1975 and Planning Act 2016.

Fees and time to process

Council provides two levels of processing for building search - standard and fast track. Different fees apply for each search.

Building search applications are processed within the following timeframes:

standard - 10 business days after the date of lodgement
fast track - three business days after the date of lodgement.

How to lodge a building search

You can lodge a building search online and pay by credit card.

Alternatively, download the building search application (PDF - 92kb). To lodge the application form you can:

visit Council and make payment in person
mail the application with a cheque to:
Brisbane City Council
GPO Box 1434
Brisbane Qld 4001.

Unapproved structures

A property may have an extension or alteration that does not appear on a building search. If you are proposing to buy the property, ask your solicitor to discuss the unapproved structure with the vendor. You solicitor may require the extension or alteration to be approved as part of the sale conditions. In this case, the property owner will need to organise approval via a building certifier.

Last updated: 21 July 2022