Before building or extending a house

Building and renovating generally follows these steps:

1. Start with the right advice. Talk to our building certifiers and Technical Advice team. Find out the requirements for your property and what approvals you might need.
2. Have a qualified builder, building designer or architect design and draw your plans.
3. Check requirements for plumbing, siting and the Toowoomba Regional Planning Scheme.
4. Have a licensed building certifier approve any building work before you start. They’ll also make inspections at different stages during construction.
5. Engage a licensed builder to construct the work, and a licensed plumber if needed. The builder may hire subcontractors to complete specialised construction work. You may also need a geotechnical engineer to do a soil test and design your footings and slab. For more information, see Requirements for geotechnical reports.
6. Have a structural engineer design and certify structural components, depending on the size and nature of the work.
7. Lodge your application with us so we can certify the completed work. Your building certifier can lodge this for you, or you can lodge the application yourself.

For more information, call us on 131 872.

If you want to enclose a deck, verandah or covered area, you need a building approval. This applies to both part and full enclosures, with different requirements for each.

A partly enclosed deck, verandah or covered area is considered a non-habitable room. It’s still classed as a 10a structure, so it has fewer building work requirements.

A fully enclosed deck, verandah or covered area is considered a habitable room. It’s classed as a 1a structure and has more building work requirements.

When enclosing a covered area, some issues to consider include:

• light and ventilation to any adjoining rooms
• ceiling height (habitable rooms need at least 2.4m to the ceiling)
• energy efficiency, such as building fabric, lighting and glazing
• termite barriers, either physical or chemical
• structural adequacy for the enclosed area
• adequacy of the existing footing or slab for habitable purposes
• weatherproofing and vapour barrier for the covered area (depending on the construction of the verandah slab).

Before you start, call us on 131 872. 

Before you start any plumbing work for an ensuite or bathroom, talk to our duty plumbing inspector or Technical Advice team.

You may need to apply for a plumbing approval to:

• move or add water fixtures
• lodge a form for notifiable works.

For more information, contact us on 131 872.

Request copies of approved and archived building plans using our Property search form. Not all plans may be available for older properties.

You can also request a copy of your approved drainage plans for a fee, by either:

• completing the online request form
• calling us on 131 872.

See our fees and charges.

Before you start any groundworks, visit Before You Dig Australia. Check for any underground pipe and cable networks on your property.

You are responsible for any development on your property. Talk to us on 131 872 before starting any work.

The Toowoomba Regional Planning Scheme defines three main residential uses for housing:

• Dwelling House (including secondary dwellings)
• Dual Occupancy
• Multiple Dwelling.

Each of these are subject to separate requirements and approvals.

For more information, see Building in the Toowoomba Region.

Plumbing approval

All plumbing work in Queensland is regulated by Queensland Government legislation.

A licensed plumber must complete plumbing and drainage alterations under the appropriate plumbing permits.

Your plumber will likely get the plumbing approval for the work.

To find out more, see Plumbing work.

1. Go to the online customer service portal.
2. Register an account per business or person to track your application’s progress.
3. Complete the online application form: DA Form 2.
4. Complete the online Dwelling Addition Alteration checklist.
5. Provide the required documents listed on the checklist.
6. Pay the application fee in line with our fees and charges.

For more information about using the portal, see Development application process.

1. Complete the application form: DA Form 2.
2. Complete the Dwelling Addition Alteration checklist.
3. Provide the required documents listed on the checklist.
4. Send your completed application to development@tr.qld.gov.au.
5. We’ll send you a request for payment in line with our fees and charges.

1. Print and complete the application form: DA Form 2.
2. Print and complete the Dwelling Addition Alteration checklist.
3. Gather the required documents listed on the checklist.
4. Apply in person at your local Customer Service Centre.  
5. Pay the application fee in line with our fees and charges.