The Building Rules are used to assess development applications requiring building consent to ensure that building work is safe and compliant.
Different Building Rules apply to a development depending on its location.
Which rules apply
There are two different planning and development systems operating in South Australia, depending on location.
Urban areas are included in "Phase Three" of the planning reform implementation. These parts of South Australia will transition to the new planning and development system in late 2020.
List of Phase Three areas (PDF, 362 KB)
In urban areas, the Building Rules are set out by the Development Act 1993 which include:
- Development Regulations 2008
- Building Code
- Minister's specifications
You can learn more about these Building Rules and Regulations on SA.GOV.AU
Regulations
Regulations are made to support an Act by prescribing further detail on its operation.
Development Regulations 2008
The Development Regulations 2008 set out development assessment processes and procedures to support the Development Act 1993.
Building Code
The National Construction Code (NCC) is a uniform set of technical provisions for building work and plumbing and drainage installations in Australia. It allows for variations in climate and geological or geographic conditions.
The Building Code of Australia (BCA) is contained within the NCC. It provides the minimum requirements for health, safety, amenity and sustainability in the design and construction of new buildings and building work in existing buildings across Australia.
Minister's Specifications
Under the Development Act 1993, the Minister for Planning sets Minister's Specifications that relate to specific building issues that apply in South Australia.
Rural areas are included in "Phase Two" of the planning reform implementation. These parts of South Australia transitioned to the new planning and development system on 31 July 2020.
List of Phase Two areas (PDF, 362 KB)
In rural areas, the Building Rules are set out by the Planning, Development and Infrastructure Act 2016. This includes:
- Planning, Development and Infrastructure (General) Regulations 2017
- Planning, Development and Infrastructure (Swimming Pool Safety) Regulations 2019
- Building Code
- Ministerial building standards
- Minister's determinations
Regulations
Regulations are made to support an Act by prescribing further detail on its operation.
PDI (General) Regulations 2017
The Planning, Development and Infrastructure (General) Regulations 2017 specify processes, procedures and guidelines for planning, building and land division assessment.
PDI (Swimming Pool Safety) Regulations 2019
The set out requirements for the construction and inspection of designated safety features for swimming pools.
Building Code
The National Construction Code (NCC) is a uniform set of technical provisions for building work and plumbing and drainage installations in Australia. It allows for variations in climate and geological or geographic conditions.
The Building Code of Australia (BCA) is contained within the NCC. It provides the minimum requirements for health, safety, amenity and sustainability in the design and construction of new buildings and building work in existing buildings across Australia.
Ministerial Building Standards
Under the Planning, Development and Infrastructure Act 2016, the Minister for Planning sets Ministerial Building Standards that relate to specific building issues that apply in South Australia.
Current Ministerial Building Standards in effect are:
- MBS 001 – Upgrading health and safety in existing buildings
- MBS 002 – Maintaining the performance of essential safety provisions
- MBS 003 – Fire safety in caravan parks and residential parks
- MBS 004 – Swimming pool safety – designated safety features for pools built before 1 July 1993
- MBS 005 – Additional requirements for housing on designated Aboriginal lands
- MBS 006 – Modifications to the application of the Building Code
- MBS 008 – Additional requirements in designated bushfire prone areas
- MBS 009 – On-site stormwater retention
- MBS 010 – Construction requirements for the control of external sound
Ministerial Determinations
Under the Planning, Development and Infrastructure Act 2016, the Minister may publish a notice in the South Australian Government Gazette detailing information that must be acquired or provided to assist with the building consent assessment process.
Current Ministerial Determinations are:
Outback areas are included in "Phase One" of the planning reform implementation. These areas transitioned to the new planning system on 1 July 2019.
Outback areas are parts of South Australia where there is no local council.
In outback areas, the Building Rules are set out by the Planning, Development and Infrastructure Act 2016. This includes:
- Planning, Development and Infrastructure (General) Regulations 2017
- Planning, Development and Infrastructure (Swimming Pool Safety) Regulations 2019
- Building Code
- Ministerial building standards
- Minister's determinations
Regulations
Regulations are made to support an Act by prescribing further detail on its operation.
PDI (General) Regulations 2017
The Planning, Development and Infrastructure (General) Regulations 2017 specify processes, procedures and guidelines for planning, building and land division assessment.
PDI (Swimming Pool Safety) Regulations 2019
The set out requirements for the construction and inspection of designated safety features for swimming pools.
Building Code
The National Construction Code (NCC) is a uniform set of technical provisions for building work and plumbing and drainage installations in Australia. It allows for variations in climate and geological or geographic conditions.
The Building Code of Australia (BCA) is contained within the NCC. It provides the minimum requirements for health, safety, amenity and sustainability in the design and construction of new buildings and building work in existing buildings across Australia.
Ministerial Building Standards
Under the Planning, Development and Infrastructure Act 2016, the Minister for Planning sets Ministerial Building Standards that relate to specific building issues that apply in South Australia.
Current Ministerial Building Standards in effect are:
- MBS 001 – Upgrading health and safety in existing buildings
- MBS 002 – Maintaining the performance of essential safety provisions
- MBS 003 – Fire safety in caravan parks and residential parks
- MBS 004 – Swimming pool safety – designated safety features for pools built before 1 July 1993
- MBS 005 – Additional requirements for housing on designated Aboriginal lands
- MBS 006 – Modifications to the application of the Building Code
- MBS 008 – Additional requirements in designated bushfire prone areas
- MBS 009 – On-site stormwater retention
- MBS 010 – Construction requirements for the control of external sound
Ministerial Determinations
Under the Planning, Development and Infrastructure Act 2016, the Minister may publish a notice in the South Australian Government Gazette detailing information that must be acquired or provided to assist with the building consent assessment process.
Current Ministerial Determinations are: