Building searches

There are two types of building searches available on Council's 'Building, Plumbing and Development Search Application Form.

1. Building records search

A building records search provides a list of building approval records, including: 

• approval numbers, final inspection dates and status, 
• any statutory notices still outstanding on a property, and, 
• property notations.  

This search covers Council’s building records only and is sent as a list to the recipient via email. 

2. Request for a Certificate of occupancy (where available):

A certificate of occupancy is sometimes known as a final certificate or a certificate of classification. If there are multiple certificates on the property, our searches team will contact you for confirmation.

A copy of the certificate of occupancy is sent via email. 

Please note: 

• Allow at least 10 working days from receipt of application.
• No plans are provided within either of these searches. To get a copy of building plans that Council may hold, you need to complete a file retrieval form.
• Do not request on vacant land, the fee is non-refundable. 
• Information provided for building, plumbing and development is subject to availability of Council’s records. No refund is available if records are not available. 
• Building approval records available from 1961 onwards for properties in the former Maroochy Shire and from July 1985 onwards for the former Caloundra Shire.
• Building inspection records available from 1992 onwards for properties in the former Maroochy Shire and from July 1985 onwards for the former Caloundra Shire.

How to request a search

Council offers two ways to request a search for building records:

• lodge and pay online through MyCouncil (you will need to register to use this service)
• visit one of our offices and submit the building, plumbing and development search application form and pay the applicable fee.

Note: Search applications will not be accepted without payment. To comply with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard, the use of credit cards is only available online through MyCouncil, or in person.

For help with MyCouncil:

• refer to our MyCouncil FAQs
• read step by step instructions and find out what search options are available.

Other types of searches

For building plans, complete a file retrieval form.

For plumbing information, see our plumbing searches page.

Council can perform a variety of property searches. Refer to certificates and searches for property information for more details.

You can contact Council's development services for more information.