Building and renovating: permits and processes
Work that requires permits
This page has information about building work in the Northern Territory (NT) that by law requires both a building permit before work starts, and for work to be certified or approved at the end of construction before occupancy.
Your project may also need a development permit and other permits and approvals to comply with the Building Act.
Work that needs a building permit
Building permits are only required in building control areas of the NT. Read about building control areas.
A building permit sets conditions on the construction, demolition or alteration of a building. It details your building work and states that your plans are lawful before construction begins.
Check the table below to see if you need a building permit for your project.
For a residential building or associated structure you may also need a building contract and fidelity fund certificate. You may have to use a registered builder. Read about building or renovating a home.
Building work | Building permit | Other requirements |
|---|---|---|
New house | Required | Read about building or renovating a home |
| New units, townhouses or apartments | Required | |
Shop or office fit-out | Required | |
Warehouse | Required | |
Relocating an existing house to a new location | Required | Read about building or renovating a home |
Renovating a bathroom in a house - changing walls, fixtures or plumbing | Required | Read about renovating and refurbishing wet areas and building or renovating a home |
Renovating a bathroom in a house - no change to walls, fixtures or plumbing | Not required | Read about renovating and refurbishing wet areas and building or renovating a home |
Alterations or extensions to an existing house - increase to floor area | Required | Read about building or renovating a home |
Alterations or extensions to an existing house - no increase in floor area | Required | Read about building or renovating a home |
Existing house - changing windows, reroofing or replacing sheeting | Required | Read about building or renovating a home |
Additions to an existing house - skylight, roof vents or satellite dish | Required - some exemptions apply | Read about exemptions for satellite dishes, skylights and roof ventilators |
Solar hot-water system | Required | Go to the Building Advisory Committee website to read about solar hot-water systems |
Solar photovoltaic installation | Required | Read about solar photovoltaic installations and solar voltaic installations - non cyclonic regions. |
Carport or verandah addition to an existing house | Required - some exemptions apply | Read about exemptions for building a garden shed, carport, fence or shade structure and building or renovating a home |
Garden shed or workshop | Required - some exemptions apply | Read about exemptions for building a garden shed, carport, fence or shade structure and building or renovating a home |
Pergola or shade structure | Required - some exemptions apply | Read about exemptions for building a garden shed, carport, fence or shade structure and building or renovating a home |
New fence or renovating an existing fence | Required - some exemptions apply | Read about exemptions for building a garden shed, carport, fence or shade structure |
New retaining wall - supporting building work | Required | |
New retaining wall - not supporting building work | Required if over 600mm in height | |
Swimming pools | Not required | Read more about swimming pools and spas |
Development permit
You must have a development permit, also known as a planning permit, if your project is either of the following:
- a building type or land use that requires consent under the NT Planning Scheme
- or permitted by the NT Planning Scheme but does not meet the scheme requirements.
If you need a development permit, you must have it before applying for a building permit.
A development permit does not remove the need for a building permit.
Before applying for a development permit, you can make a free appointment with a planner.
Check the title for your property to see if there are any easements, covenants or encumbrances affecting the property. You must comply with the requirements for each of those features.
Other permits and approvals
Depending on the type of building or development you are proposing, you may need other permits and approvals such as:
- local council permits or approvals
- stormwater drainage
- environmental assessments
- approvals for connections to services like roads, power, water or sewerage.
Discuss your project with a building professional such as a building certifier, builder, architect, designer or engineer.
For more advice about the permits and approvals you need for your project, contact:
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