Go Back   IceInSpace > Equipment > DIY Observatories

Reply
 
Thread Tools Rate Thread
  #1  
Old 17-10-2017, 09:19 AM
bojan's Avatar
bojan
amateur

bojan is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Mt Waverley, VIC
Posts: 6,932
Question Building permit for telescope dome

How did you guys do it? What are your experiences and solutions for this issue?

It seems in VIC building permit (especially in urbanized areas) is required for almost everything (decks, sheds, garages etc).

How the rotating dome residing on the observational deck is treated from builder's point of view?
Is there a difference between DIY and Sirius dome for example?

Any feedback is most welcome!
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 17-10-2017, 09:49 AM
Kunama
...

Kunama is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 3,588
In Vic you can build a Class 10a "Shed" without a permit if it is less than 10m2 in area, not made of masonry, no more than 2.4m high if within 1.2m of boundary or no more than 3m high if more than 1.2m from boundary, cost less than $10k and is not attached to another structure or forward of the normal building line. Any plumbing including gutters downpipes etc must be installed by a qualified person and if the cost of such is more than $750, it must be certified.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 17-10-2017, 09:51 AM
Atmos's Avatar
Atmos (Colin)
Ultimate Noob

Atmos is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 6,980
Sheds for farming related purposes also don’t need a permit as I understand it.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 17-10-2017, 10:11 AM
Merlin66's Avatar
Merlin66 (Ken)
Registered User

Merlin66 is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Junortoun Vic
Posts: 8,904
Bojan,
Is the observing deck you mention elevated or at ground level?
Permits are definitely required for elevated decks but don’t seem to be enforced for ground decks.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 17-10-2017, 10:15 AM
bojan's Avatar
bojan
amateur

bojan is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Mt Waverley, VIC
Posts: 6,932
It is all subject to interpretation.. and hostile neighbours could make my life difficult if error was made.

Ballarat City council (actuall VIC building regulator) says shed under 10m2 area and 2.4m high is OK, but what if shed is not on the concrete slab, but on the deck instead? how the height/distance from boundary is determined for spherical structure (geo-dome in my case), and how it is measured on sloped terrain?
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 17-10-2017, 10:17 AM
bojan's Avatar
bojan
amateur

bojan is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Mt Waverley, VIC
Posts: 6,932
It has to be elevated (50cm or so).
Is it still a deck if it only supports spherical geo-dome?

What is the definition of deck anyway?
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 17-10-2017, 10:19 AM
Imme (Jon)
Registered User

Imme is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Kyneton
Posts: 840
3 months building the dome, countless hours installing the gear, opening night is coming.....and then there's a knock on the door from a Council Officer telling you to pull it down.....I'd call the Council to discuss.
Advice from members is one thing....a Council regs are a whole other matter!

I work for a certain unnamed Council and yes, I can assure you we have access to very high resolution satellite photos that can be easily superimposed over photo's from 12 months ago......you have no idea how easy it is for planning people to identify a new 'hidden' shed in your backyard.

Call the Council....better safe than sorry
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 17-10-2017, 10:25 AM
bojan's Avatar
bojan
amateur

bojan is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Mt Waverley, VIC
Posts: 6,932
Quote:
Originally Posted by Imme View Post
3 months building the dome, countless hours installing the gear, opening night is coming.....and then there's a knock on the door from a Council Officer telling you to pull it down.....I'd call the Council to discuss.
Advice from members is one thing....a Council regs are a whole other matter!

I work for a certain unnamed Council and yes, I can assure you we have access to very high resolution satellite photos that can be easily superimposed over photo's from 12 months ago......you have no idea how easy it is for planning people to identify a new 'hidden' shed in your backyard.

Call the Council....better safe than sorry
Yes, I absolutely intend to call them and discuss the issue with them.
I already contact them via email and website, I also contact two builder surveyors.
I only wanted be prepared by knowing what were the other people experiences.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 17-10-2017, 10:27 AM
JA
.....

JA is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 2,945
Quote:
Originally Posted by bojan View Post
It is all subject to interpretation.. and hostile neighbours could make my life difficult if error was made.

Ballarat City council (actuall VIC building regulator) says shed under 10m2 area and 2.4m high is OK, but what if shed is not on the concrete slab, but on the deck instead? how the height/distance from boundary is determined for spherical structure (geo-dome in my case), and how it is measured on sloped terrain?
Hello Bojan,

Of course it will be best when confirmed by the relevant authority, but I feel it is reasonable to conclude that:
  1. The applicable area would be at its maximum horizontal diameter
  2. The distance to the boundary will be from the closest point of your structure (i.e: at the max horizontal diameter)
  3. The maximum height is based on natural ground level

You could possibly also move further from the boundary and increase to 3m (as per Matt's post [Hello Matt]), subject to approval. Consult with the authority and do everything you can to keep the design and position such that it does not require further approval or certification.

Best
JA
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 17-10-2017, 10:57 AM
bojan's Avatar
bojan
amateur

bojan is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Mt Waverley, VIC
Posts: 6,932
It's most probably Nearmap.com, not satellites.. they are using drones and planes to obtain high resolution photographs.

I was using this site before they started to charge even for a short peak....

Last edited by bojan; 17-10-2017 at 11:14 AM.
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 17-10-2017, 10:59 AM
Imme (Jon)
Registered User

Imme is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Kyneton
Posts: 840
Nearmap it is Bojan....brain fart by saying satellites.....I meant aerial photo
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 17-10-2017, 11:19 AM
bojan's Avatar
bojan
amateur

bojan is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Mt Waverley, VIC
Posts: 6,932
Jon,
As you work for council... could you advise would it be the better approach to contact council first or to talk with Building Surveyors (I am guessing they are businesses... so it may cost just to talk to them) ?

(Actually you already said "talk to council")
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 17-10-2017, 11:23 AM
Imme (Jon)
Registered User

Imme is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Kyneton
Posts: 840
Definitely go to Council first (I would)
....at least that way you can get a clear direction on what is required, if anything.
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 17-10-2017, 11:27 AM
bojan's Avatar
bojan
amateur

bojan is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Mt Waverley, VIC
Posts: 6,932
Excellent, thank you
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 17-10-2017, 02:23 PM
doppler's Avatar
doppler (Rick)
Registered User

doppler is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Mackay
Posts: 1,656
I am curious on what building code a homemade moving dome would come under, I couldn't find any building specs/standards for a roll of roof structure.
Reply With Quote
  #16  
Old 17-10-2017, 02:28 PM
bojan's Avatar
bojan
amateur

bojan is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Mt Waverley, VIC
Posts: 6,932
Quote:
Originally Posted by doppler View Post
I am curious on what building code a homemade moving dome would come under, I couldn't find any building specs/standards for a roll of roof structure.
Shed?
Reply With Quote
  #17  
Old 17-10-2017, 02:42 PM
Merlin66's Avatar
Merlin66 (Ken)
Registered User

Merlin66 is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Junortoun Vic
Posts: 8,904
Yes, an unoccupied Shed is the nearest structure type.
That’s what was used for an observatory- rotating Octodome in Bundoora.
Reply With Quote
  #18  
Old 17-10-2017, 02:50 PM
Imme (Jon)
Registered User

Imme is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Kyneton
Posts: 840
Quote:
Originally Posted by bojan View Post
Shed?
This one was Council approved as a "Shed"

https://youtu.be/IfTshNIecfI

......and there were plenty of engineers involved!
Reply With Quote
  #19  
Old 17-10-2017, 05:21 PM
doppler's Avatar
doppler (Rick)
Registered User

doppler is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Mackay
Posts: 1,656
You would think that it would be quite a task trying to get a cyclone rating on a roll of roof structure in northern Australia if you had to have council approval. I guess you could get the shed approved then modify the movable roof part after.

Last edited by doppler; 17-10-2017 at 07:17 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #20  
Old 19-10-2017, 12:52 PM
bojan's Avatar
bojan
amateur

bojan is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Mt Waverley, VIC
Posts: 6,932
According to Ballarat Building Permits website, permit is required for:

  • All decks and landings
  • All garages, sheds and carports


However, no permit is required for:


Garden Sheds
  • Construction of a steel or timber garden shed at the backyard of a dwelling, which has a floor area less than 10m² and is less than 3m in height, or less than 2.4m in height when within 1m of a boundary.
So, theoretically, if my 3m-diameter geo-dome (placed on 3.3 x 3.3m deck, 0.5m high) is declared as single building - garden shed, permit is not required.


However, if it is regarded as 3.3x3.3m deck with removable dome over it, then permit is required (for deck at least, and dome may be a problem because it is not a standard building).



I am very keen to find out what council will say...
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT +10. The time is now 05:16 AM.

Powered by vBulletin Version 3.8.7 | Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Advertisement
Testar
Advertisement
Bintel
Advertisement