ApprovalPath Blog
Council approval guides for Australian home projects
Plain-English explainers for decks, sheds, pools, renovations, granny flats, pergolas, patios, and other residential projects. Learn what can change the approval pathway before you quote or build.
Do I Need Council Approval for My Project?
A plain-English guide to when a residential project may need council approval, a fast-track approval pathway, or no planning approval at all.
Do You Need Council Approval for a Deck in Australia?
A practical guide to the deck details that can change the council approval pathway, including height, area, setbacks, privacy, and overlays.
Planning Permit vs Building Permit in Victoria
A plain-English guide to the difference between planning permits and building permits in Victoria, and why a residential project may need one or both.
Browse by topic
Start where your approval question starts
Learn the basics, dig into project-specific guides, or read the tradie workflow pieces built around quoting and lead quality.
Basics
2 guides
Do I Need Council Approval for My Project?
A plain-English guide to when a residential project may need council approval, a fast-track approval pathway, or no planning approval at all.
Exempt Development vs Complying Development vs DA
The plain-English difference between exempt development, complying development, and a development application in NSW and similar approval pathways elsewhere.
Project guides
3 guides
Do You Need Council Approval for a Deck in Australia?
A practical guide to the deck details that can change the council approval pathway, including height, area, setbacks, privacy, and overlays.
Do You Need Council Approval for a Pergola or Patio?
Pergolas, patios, and verandahs can trigger different approval pathways depending on roof type, size, height, attachment, and site constraints.
Do You Need Council Approval for a Shed?
A practical guide to shed approval questions, including size, height, setbacks, slab, use, overlays, and whether the shed is really a garage or studio.
State guides
3 guides
Planning Permit vs Building Permit in Victoria
A plain-English guide to the difference between planning permits and building permits in Victoria, and why a residential project may need one or both.
NSW Exempt Development, CDC and DA Explained
A practical guide to NSW approval pathways for residential projects: exempt development, complying development certificates, and development applications.
Queensland Accepted, Code Assessable and Impact Assessable Development
A plain-English guide to Queensland development assessment categories and what they mean for residential projects and tradie quotes.
For tradies
2 guides
Why Council Approval Questions Kill Building Quotes
Council approval uncertainty slows residential quotes, creates unpaid admin, and makes customers hesitate. Here is how tradies can turn it into a qualification step.
What to Ask Before Quoting a Deck, Patio or Pergola
A practical pre-quote checklist for deck builders, patio builders, pergola installers, and landscapers handling council approval questions.