Building Approvals
A building permit is required for any building work involving the development of new structures, alterations or extensions and changes in ground levels, including garages, patios, sheds, residential dwellings, granny flats, extensions, swimming pools and retaining walls.
Similarly, a demolition permit is required before any demolition works can commence. If the total value of work exceeds $20,000, a permit can only be issued to a registered builder or registered owner builder. Please refer to the Owner Builder Application for further information.
Applying for a Building Permit
Anyone can apply for a building permit: the owner, builder, designer, building surveyor or any other person. The applicant provides details of the person responsible for the work in the application form. The builder takes responsibility for ensuring the construction complies with the applicable building standards and the provisions in the building permit. Please refer to the Building Permit Application Checklist for a comprehensive list of requirements.
There are two types of building permit applications, 'certified' and 'uncertified'. Whichever one applies must be submitted with the required information and the fees payable.
If you require the Shire to perform an archive request to search for your building plans, please complete the Building Permit Archive Request Form.
Certified Application
A certified application is accompanied by a certificate of design compliance, issued by a private building surveyor, and can be made for any class of building and incidental structure. The Shire has 10 business days to decide on a certified application.
Applications for Class 1b and Class 2 to Class 9 buildings must be made as certified applications whereas this is optional for Class 1a and 10 buildings and incidental structures. Please refer to the National Construction Code Building Classifications for further information.
Uncertified Application
An uncertified application is submitted to the Shire without a certificate of design compliance and can only be made for Class 1a and Class 10 buildings and incidental structures.
The Shire Building Surveyor will check the proposal and provide a certificate of design compliance. The Shire has 25 business days to decide on an uncertified application.
Wastewater
If the proposed building works involve wastewater disposal (septic tanks and leach drains) an Application to Construct or Install an Apparatus for the Treatment of Sewage must be completed and submitted to the Shire with the Building Permit application. Please refer to the Health Department's website for further information about approved wastewater systems or contact the Shire on 9892 1111.
Development Approval
Prior to submitting a building application, you may also be required to seek planning approval from the Shire. Please refer to the Shire's Development (Planning) Application webpage for further information.
Bushfire Prone Areas
If your property is in a declared bushfire prone area, dependant on the type (class) of building, your building permit application is required to be accompanied by a Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) report. Please refer to the Landgate Map of Bushfire Prone Areas and our Bushfire Prone Areas brochure for further information.
If your property is in a declared bushfire prone area, the Shire will only accept a report issued by a Bushfire Planning and Design (BPAD) accredited assessor. A list of accredited practitioners is available on the Fire Protection Association Australia website. Scroll down to WA and sort by location.
The WA Government Building and Energy website has a comprehensive guide to the building approvals process. For further information, please contact the Shire.
Telecommunications in New Developments Policy
If you are a developer or owner-builder, you may need to comply with the Australian Government's Telecommunications in New Developments (TIND) Policy.
Quick links
Becoming an Owner Builder
Application for Building Permit - Certified
Application for Building Permit - Uncertified
Building Permits and Processes
Building Permit Application Checklist
Building Permit Archive Request Form
Construction Training Fund Levy information
Application to Construct or Install an Apparatus for the Treatment of Sewage
Infrastructure Bond Form
Guidance on Site and Soil Evaluation for On-site Sewage Management
Specifications for the Construction of a Vehicle Crossover
Building Approval Forms