Building control areas

Introduction

Certain areas within the Northern Territory are declared building control areas.

To construct in a building control area, you must have a building permit and meet the standards for building in the National Construction Code and Building Regulations.

For more information, contact Building Advisory Services.

Check if you are in a building control area

To check if your land is in a building control area, go to the Building Control Areas system.

For a list of building control areas and maps of the areas, read requirements in building control areas.


Requirements in building control areas

This page has information for property owners about working in building control areas of the Northern Territory (NT).

Properties may also be outside of a building control area.

Check if you are in a building control area

To check if your land is in a building control area, go to the Building Control Areas system.

The two-tier system

Building control areas in the NT are divided into two tiers, with maps showing control boundaries for areas in each tier below.

Tier 1

Tier 2

The two-tier system removes some requirements in remote NT areas, minimising the time and cost of building or renovating.

Fewer permits and paperwork are needed for building work in Tier 2 areas - outside of the Darwin, Lake Bennett and Alice Springs regions.

Certification requirements in a Tier 1 area

Full certification requirements, including requirements to get occupancy certification at the end of the construction process, apply for all building work.

Read more about certification requirements including engaging a building certifier, construction, inspections and occupancy on building and renovating: permits and processes.

Certification requirements in a Tier 2 area

In Tier 2 building control areas the National Construction Code and technical requirements apply to all building work.

You must engage an NT registered building certifier if you need a building permit. You must still meet legal requirements for building contracts, registered building contractors and fidelity fund insurance for your work.

Full certification requirements apply to most building works.

Part certification only applies to some prescribed residential building work.

Part certification

Part certification applies to the following buildings in Tier 2 areas:

  • class 1a buildings such as a single dwelling or detached house, but it does not apply to class 1a(ii) buildings such as attached townhouses or duplexes which need full certification
  • class 10 buildings such as a garage, carport or shed, attached to and built at the same time as a class 1a building
  • retaining walls - whenever built - unattached to a class 1a or class 2 building but on which the integrity of such a building depends.

For part certification, you must still get a building permit before starting construction.

During construction, your building certifier does not need to conduct inspections.

At completion of work, your building certifier does not need to issue an occupancy permit but your builder does still need to give you a builder's declaration.

Talk to your building certifier to find out if you need any prescribed certification documents for plumbing, glazing, electrical, termite treatment, prefabricated roof trusses, wet area sealing products, prefabricated window and door frames, and fire safety products or installations.

If a builder’s declaration is not available

If you are not able to obtain a builder’s declaration for prescribed residential building work in a Tier 2 area you must contact your building certifier to find out how you can get approval to occupy the building.

Extra assessments or documentation will be required for a certificate of substantial compliance or certificate of existence to be granted for the work.

An occupancy permit is not available for prescribed residential building work in a Tier 2 building control area.

Read more about the building certification process and engaging a building certifier.


Building outside of building control areas

You don't need a building permit or a fidelity fund certificate to build outside a declared building control area.

Areas outside building control areas may include:

  • freehold land
  • most Indigenous communities
  • pastoral properties
  • some mining towns
  • mining sites
  • resorts in remote locations.

Building contracts and documentation

You don't need to engage a registered building contractor outside of a building control area, but you can still engage one for your work.

Read about choosing a builder or contractor and signing a residential building contract.

Building to the requirements of the National Construction Code may be a condition of your funds, grants, loans or land leases.

You should always check that these requirements are included in your building contract.

Keep your documents safe

Keep copies of your inspection records, any building work documents and contracts in case you need to refer to them.

These documents are not retained by the Director of Building Control.

The documents can help confirm that building work has been completed properly if you sell the property.

They can also help if you have a dispute with the builder or if a building defect becomes apparent.

Other permits and approvals

If your land is outside of a building control area, even if you do not need a building permit, you may still need to apply for a development permit, also known as a planning permit.

To apply for a development permit, contact a planner from Development Assessment Services.