The Short Answer
In most cases, yes—you need a building permit for a pergola in Melbourne. But there are exemptions.
When You DON'T Need a Permit
Your pergola may be exempt if it meets ALL of these criteria:
- Floor area under 10 square metres
- Not attached to the dwelling
- Single storey only
- Located in the rear yard
- Doesn't affect stormwater drainage
- Complies with siting regulations
When You DEFINITELY Need a Permit
You need a building permit if your pergola:
- Exceeds 10 square metres (most do)
- Is attached to your house
- Is in the front yard
- Requires structural changes to your home
- Affects neighbours' properties
The Permit Process
Here's what happens when we apply for a permit:
1. Site assessment - We measure and photograph your property 2. Design drawings - Architectural plans showing the pergola 3. Engineering - Structural calculations for footings and frame 4. Application - Submitted to a private building surveyor 5. Approval - Usually 2-4 weeks 6. Construction - Now we can build! 7. Final inspection - Surveyor signs off on completed work
What About Heritage Overlays?
If your property has a heritage overlay, you'll also need a planning permit. This adds 4-8 weeks and requires design approval from council.
We Handle Everything
At Undercover Concepts, we manage the entire permit process. You don't need to deal with surveyors, council, or paperwork. It's all included in our service.
Contact us for a free permit assessment of your property.
