Temporary event buildings and structures

Under the Building Act 1975, certain buildings and structures require a Development Permit for Building Work (building approval) before they can be erected on the site.

If you require a Development Permit for Building Work please contact a private building certifier for further information on application requirements.

Note: you will need to allow sufficient time for your permit to be assessed prior to your event.

Below is a list of different structure types and a guide to whether they need a building permit.

Note: Temporary buildings and structures that don’t need a building permit must still comply with the Building Code of Australia, Australia Standards, manufacturer’s requirements and industry standards.

Type of structure

Criteria

Building permit required
Toilet blocks, sheds, huts or the like (attached to or required to be attached to the ground)
  • Structure has a plan
  • Area more than 10m²
  • More than 2.4m above the ground level
  • Has an average height of more than 2.1m above the ground level or
  • Has any side longer than 5m
 Yes
Signs
  • Detached from a building
  • Higher than 2m; and
  • Wider than 1.2m
 Yes
Stages or grandstand Attached to the ground or required to be attached to the ground Yes
Mobile stages (stage on trailer or truck) – Excluding grandstands on a trailer or truck/mobile stage Not attached to the ground or required to be attached for structural purposes No, but:
  • a form 15 must be completed by a Registered Professional Engineer of Queensland
  • a form 16 must be provided to the Event Assessment Officer after the stage has been installed
Art work structures, sculpture If the height of the structure is greater than 3m above the ground surface Yes
Tents If the floor area of the tent is greater than 500m² Yes
Tents If the plan area of the tent is more than 100m² and less than 500m² No, but must comply with Queensland Development Code MP3.2 – Tents
Tents With a floor area less than 100m² No
Fences Not higher than 2m above the ground level and not used for swimming pool fences No
Scaffolding (light towers, viewing platforms) More than 3m above the ground surface Yes
Light poles More than 3m above the ground surface Yes
Caravans – No

 

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