Building
Planning, building and plumbing approval from the Launceston City Council may be required if you are planning alterations to your home or property. The Launceston municipality is governed by the Launceston Planning Scheme 1996.
Changes to your property that may require approval include the alteration or extension of a building, addition of outbuildings, change of use or nature of use, or erection of a sign or subdivision of your property.
It is very important to find out whether your proposed changes require approval before you commence work.
Preliminary information on these matters is available, as well as key contacts should you require more information on these issues.
Building Plan Request Form (PDF 267KB)
A building permit is required for all building work including new buildings, additions, internal and external alterations and fire damage repairs.
A building permit is required for all building work including new buildings, additions, internal and external alterations and fire damage repairs.
You also need a permit for all plumbing and drainage work including installation, repair and replacement. A registered plumber must lodge a start-work notice with Council.
Inspections at various stages of the work are also necessary.
If you carry out work without a permit, an illegal building notice will be issued which will either lead to demolition or a Permit to Proceed or Certificate of Substantial Compliance which includes paying a fee double the usual amount. This also encumbers the property, which means that any future potential purchaser will be advised that this work was done without a permit.
For more information view the Workplace Standards Tasmania's Owner-builder Guidelines.
To discuss your plans and the requirements, you can meet with Council's building staff without an appointment on Monday to Friday between 8.30am - 5.00pm in the Customer Service Centre, St John Street.
The approved application forms can be viewed below and are available from Council's Customer Service Centre. On return, they must be accompanied by copies of your plans, including site and drainage plans. A copy of title is also required. Refer to the application forms for further details.
Building, Plumbing and Special Plumbing Permits Application Form (PDF 53.8KB)
Owner Builder Declaration (PDF 35.4KB)
Owner Builder Kit (PDF 401KB)
Ben Lomond Water Building and Plumbing Application Exemption Form (PDF 47.3KB)
Temporary occupancy
An application fee applies and fees will be set to assess whether a site inspection is required.
Owner Builder Declaration (PDF 35.4KB)
Owner Builder Kit (PDF 401KB)
Ben Lomond Water Building and Plumbing Application Exemption Form (PDF 47.3KB)
Temporary occupancy
An application fee applies and fees will be set to assess whether a site inspection is required.
For further information please call the Council's Customer Service Centre on 03 6323 3000
To apply for a temporary occupancy permit, collect a form from the Council's Customer Service Centre or view the Application for Temporary Occupancy (PDF 75.2KB)
Walls and fences
Erecting or repairing boundary walls and fences between neighbouring properties is a common occurrence. The Council does not intervene in disputes between neighbours over boundary fences. The legislation which applies to boundary fences is the Boundary Fences Act 1908 (the Act). This Act is not administered by the Council.
The Act defines the law in Tasmania relating to constructing and repairing fences that divide adjoining land. The Act details the obligations of adjoining land owners with regard to the building or repair of boundary fences. The Act is supported by the Boundary Fences Regulations 1998.
Notice to build or repair a fence
If you want your neighbour to contribute to the cost of constructing or repairing a fence, talk to them first to reach an agreement on the standard of fence and the sharing of costs.
If an agreement cannot be reached, a last resort would be to serve on them a notice. To serve such a notice you can give it to your neighbour by handing it to him or her, or send it in the mail. If you put up a fence or repair one without serving the proper notice on your neighbour, or without any verbal or written agreement having been made between you, your neighbour cannot be made to contribute to the cost.
The forms used for giving your neighbour notice to erect a fence (Form 1) or to repair a fence (Form 2) are found in Schedule 1 of the Boundary Fences Regulations 1998.
Please note there are some exceptions concerning a neighbour's obligation to contribute to fencing. Where a boundary fence adjoins a road, Section 7 of the Boundary Fences Act applies. This section provides that Council or the road authority is not required to contribute to the cost of fencing.
View more information on the Boundary Fences Act 1908 and the Boundary Fences Regulations 1998.
For free legal advice call the Law Society on 1300 366 611.
A planning permit is required for boundary fences over 1.8 metres high. A building permit is required for boundary fences over 2.1m high or if constructed of concrete, brick or block over 1.2 metres high.