A Guide to Planning Permission for Mezzanine Floors
Are you considering installing mezzanine floors at your warehouse? Extending your warehouse space without investing a lot of money can be tricky, but it can be done. If you plan to install mezzanine floor Sydney-wide, experts at WSS will be glad to assist you. However, before you install these floors, you will need permission for your local council or building authority. Here's a quick guide to planning permission for Mezzanine Floors.
Do I need to get planning permission to install Mezzanine Floors?
The short answer is yes; every local council has its requirements. The local council will decide whether your structure is suitable for mezzanine floors or not. They will need information about its size and usage and will also look for any breach of public safety. If the mezzanine floors you want to install have no impact on security or fire services, you may be granted permission. Sometimes the local council will decide the installation of a mezzanine floor constitutes minor internal work, in which case you will not need planning permission.
Why do I need to get planning permission?
If not properly planned and constructed, mezzanine floors can create a threat to public safety. If the council decides the risks are too high, permission will not be granted. It is essential to seek development approval early to ensure you are not breaching any safety regulations.
Aside from safety concerns, there are a number of other possible negative impacts your proposed structure could have on the environment. For example, if your building has limited car parking space, you will probably not be allowed to install a vast mezzanine office block.
What is a building permit?
After getting permission from the local council, you need to verify whether your proposed mezzanine floor will comply with the building codes and meet minimum construction standards. This is why a building permit is required.
The first step is to get planning permission, the second step is to secure the building permit. You need to submit detailed drawings of your proposed mezzanine floor to the local council or the council of building surveyors. The relevant authority will make their decision based on the size and usage of your proposed mezzanine floor.
Can I be exempted from obtaining a building permit?
You might be exempted from needing to apply for a building permit for the following reasons:
The proposed mezzanine floor…
- …would not harm the building's structural soundness
- …does not include an increase or decrease in the total floor area
- …will not extend beyond the alignment of the street
- …will not jeopardise the safety of the general public or building occupants
- …is not a work being done on or in connection with a building on the Heritage Register, as defined by the Heritage Act 2017
- …is not related to, and will not have an unfavourable effect on, a building's fundamental safety measure.
If one or more of these apply to your proposed structure, you may not need a building permit at all.
WSS has a dedicated team that will assist you in planning permission and obtaining a building permit. To learn more, visit our website or contact us.