Do I need a council permit for scaffolding?
Updated 2 November 2026
Scaffolding that stays entirely on your own property usually doesn’t need a council permit. Once any part of it sits on, or hangs over, public land, you’ll almost always need council approval before it goes up. Public land includes the footpath, the nature strip, a laneway or the road.
When a permit is usually needed
- Scaffolding, hoarding or a gantry on or over a footpath, nature strip or road.
- Closing a footpath, or using parking spaces or road space while the scaffold goes up or comes down. Some councils treat this as a separate permit.
- Protection over the street, such as a gantry to keep falling debris off pedestrians. In Victoria this can need a separate “report and consent” from the council’s building surveyor first.
In NSW, works on a public road or footpath need consent under section 138 of the Roads Act, usually from the council. On classified state roads, Transport for NSW may also need to approve. Other states have their own versions, so check with your council.
Who applies
Your scaffolder will often apply for you, because they know the forms and can supply the plans and insurance details councils ask for. Agree who is applying, and who pays the fee, before you accept a quote.
What councils usually ask for
- A site plan showing where the scaffold goes and how pedestrians get past.
- A traffic or pedestrian management plan for busy streets.
- A certificate of public liability insurance. Several capital city councils ask for $10 million to $20 million cover.
- The dates the scaffold will be up.
How long to allow
Lead times vary a lot. For example:
- City of Melbourne and City of Perth ask for at least 10 business days.
- Brisbane City Council suggests allowing 20 days.
- Some regional councils ask for four weeks or more.
Fees also vary and change each year, so check the council’s current fees.
Council permit pages by city
Each city page on Scaffold Finder has a short note on its main council’s permit, with a link to the council page. For example:
If your suburb is outside a city centre, it may be in a different council area. Search your council’s website for “hoarding” or “scaffolding permit”.
Sources
- NSW Planning Portal: Section 138 approvals (works on public roads and footpaths)
- Victorian Government: Guide to public protection permits (November 2025)
- Australian Business Licence and Information Service (ABLIS): council permits for hoardings, gantries and scaffolding
This guide is general information, not legal or safety advice. Rules change, so check with your council and your state's work health and safety regulator.