Approval and Inspection Requirements - Class 2-9

What Are Class 2 to 9 Buildings?

These are building classifications under the National Construction Code (NCC) and refer to everything other than houses or townhouses (Class 1).

  • Class 2 – Apartments or multi-unit dwellings
  • Class 3 – Hotels, motels, boarding houses
  • Class 4 – A sole residence inside a commercial building
  • Class 5 – Office buildings
  • Class 6 – Shops, cafés, restaurants
  • Class 7 – Warehouses, storage facilities
  • Class 8 – Laboratories, factories
  • Class 9 – Public buildings such as hospitals, schools, and assembly spaces

These classes cover commercial, industrial, and larger residential buildings, all of which have specific plumbing and drainage approval requirements.

Do I need a plumbing permit?

Yes. A permit is required before any licensed plumbing or drainage work begins on Class 2–9 buildings (e.g., commercial or multi-residential properties).

Important: Council does not process fast-track plumbing applications under Section 39 of the Plumbing and Drainage Regulation 2019.

Lodging your application

To apply for a plumbing permit, submit the following to plumbing.crm@frasercoast.qld.gov.au

Required Forms and Fees

Site and Building Plans
  • Site Plan including:
    • Proposed and existing buildings
    • Sewer mains, manholes, and connection points
    • Property boundaries and drainage invert levels
  • Building Floor Plan showing all plumbing fixtures
  • Elevation Plan of the proposed building

Sanitary Drainage Plan

  • All proposed fixtures
  • Sanitary drain layout and connection points
  • Overflow gullies, vents, reflux valves, inspection points, and articulation control devices if required

Hydraulic Plans

  • Copy of water and drainage hydraulics
  • Must be signed by a Licensed Hydraulic Designer

Additional Requirements (if applicable):

  • Sanitary Drainage: A site classification report must be provided in accordance with AS 2870-2011. For sites classified as H, E, or P, an articulation design must be prepared by a Registered Professional Engineer of Queensland (RPEQ) or hydraulic consultant and submitted with the application.
  • Water Supply: Fixture locations, supply pipes, meters, backflow prevention

Greywater Facility

  • Treatment plant and land application area design
  • Plant approval and soil evaluation (if land application area)
  • Design statement

On-site Sewerage Facility:

  • Copy of the proposed wastewater treatment system
  • Treatment plant approval
  • Site and soil evaluation report including percolation report
  • Design statement

Plan standards

All plans must be:

  • Legible, to scale, and clearly marked with:
    • Designer’s name/contact details
    • Fixtures legend
    • Owner’s name, site address, correct lot/plan number
  • Minimum size: A4 for general plans and A3 for hydraulic plans

Note: Hand-drawn or whiteout-marked plans will not be accepted.

Please forward all relevant documentation to plumbing.crm@frasercoast.qld.gov.au

Permit documentation

  • Council will assess the application within 10 business days.
  • If further information is required, an information request will be issued.
  • Once all documentation is received and fees paid, Council will issue a plumbing permit within 10 business days.
  • The permit will include a copy of stamped approved plans.

How to extend or amend an approved permit

  • Submit Form 2 (Application to amend a permit, including an extension of time)
  • Provide a copy of any amended plans
  • Provide any other relevant supporting documentation
  • Make payment of the applicable amendment fees

Send all documentation to plumbing.crm@frasercoast.qld.gov.au

Inspection requirements

  • Before booking any inspection, a Form 7 (Notice of Responsible Person) for all aspects of the work must be submitted and received by the plumbing administration team.
  • Plumbing inspections must be booked in advance for all relevant stages of work (e.g., sub-drain, house drain, water rough-in, elevated, on-site sewage installation, final, or other relevant stages).
  • Any changes to the plumbing or drainage installation from the approved plans must be clearly marked on the stamped approved hydraulic site plans prior to the booked time, ready for verification by the plumbing inspector.

Before you book your final inspection

  • All stages of work must be inspected and passed (FCRC will not accept Form 3)
  • Plumbing systems must be fully installed, operational, and compliant
  • Hot water systems and TMVs must be correctly set

Documents to Submit Before Booking a Final Inspection

  • As Constructed Plans – Marked “AS CONSTRUCTED” and in the same format as the approved plans (hand-drawn mark-ups will not be accepted)
  • Site Plans – A copy of the marked-up and signed site plans
  • Form 7 – Notification of Responsible Person (required for all work)
  • Form 9 – Backflow device test report (if applicable)
  • Form 71 – Fire test report (if applicable)
  • TMV Commissioning Report (if applicable)
  • Form 2 – Permit amendment form (if plans have changed)

Reminder: Under Section 63(5) of the Plumbing and Drainage Regulation 2019, a Form 7 must be submitted before any inspection can be scheduled.

Additional Documents for Greywater or On-site Sewerage Systems

  • Signed Commissioning Certificate
  • As Constructed Drawings showing the final layout

Incomplete documentation can delay or result in the cancellation of your inspection and may incur re-inspection fees.

Booking a plumbing inspection

Who can book

The person responsible for the work.

How to book

  1. Request access to the Plumbing Calendar from Council
  2. Log in to the online system
  3. Ensure a Form 7 has been submitted prior to the first inspection (no Form 7 = no attendance)
  4. Book a time slot for each inspection on each dwelling/unit (allow 48 hours for processing)
    Note: Booking ahead is essential
  5. Receive email acknowledgment of your request (not confirmation)
  6. Wait for confirmation email from Council’s Business Support Team

Cut-off time: No next-day bookings after 4 pm. Same-day and phone bookings are not accepted.

Inspection duration and large projects

  • All commercial inspections must be booked using the commercial option only
  • All commercial inspections are 45 minutes
  • It is the responsibility of the person making the booking to ensure sufficient time is allowed to complete the inspection
  • Incorrect booking options may result in cancellation and require re-booking
  • If 45 minutes is insufficient, additional inspections will be required
  • If time runs out, the inspector may end the inspection, and additional inspections will be required

Not sure how many slots to book? Contact the Plumbing Department for guidance.  

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