Do small concrete jobs ever need a building permit?

Sometimes, yes — whether a small job needs a permit depends on the specific work and applicable exemption thresholds, not simply the physical size of the job. Structural work (a shed slab supporting a structure, for instance) is treated differently to genuinely non-structural work like a small garden path.

Some minor works fall under specific exemptions, but these are genuinely worth confirming rather than assuming — what looks like a “small job” to a homeowner can still trigger permit requirements if it’s structural or affects things like drainage or setbacks.

A properly experienced contractor or your building surveyor can quickly confirm whether your specific small project needs a permit — worth checking before starting rather than after.

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