Building Permits

Building permits are controlled by the Building Act 2011 and the Building Regulations 2012. A permit is required for any building works involving the construction of structures, alterations or extensions and changes to ground levels.

Works include (but are not limited to):

Commercial buildings including fitouts and refurbishments
Residential dwellings including additions and alterations
Carports, sheds, garages and workshops
Decking, patios, verandahs, gazebos and pergolas
Swimming pools and spas
Rainwater tanks
Front fences and retaining walls.

A building permit must be obtained before commencing any building work. If you are unsure whether a building permit is required, please contact the City’s Building Services team on 9474 0777.

Certified and uncertified applications

There are two types of building permit applications, certified and uncertified.

Certified applications are submitted when the applicant has already engaged a private building surveyor to check the plans and specifications of the proposed building. They then complete a certificate of design compliance, confirming that the proposal complies with the applicable building standards. This takes place before the application for a building permit is submitted to the City to assess. The City then has 10 business days to decide on a certified application.
Uncertified applications are submitted directly to the City without a certificate of design compliance. An independent building surveyor is appointed by the City to check the proposal and provide a certificate of design compliance. The City has 25 business days to decide on an uncertified application.

Building Permit application requirements

Application for Building Permit Form, either certified or uncertified
One set of architectural and structural drawings, site plan and details (scale of 1:100 for architectural and structural; 1:200 for site plan; and 1:50 or 1:10 for details), please provide electronic copies of plans larger than A3
The architectural drawings must include a site and floor plan of every storey, with all elevations and a section that provide all dimensions, levels, height of each storey and the construction details of walls and roof. Structural details must be signed by a certified practicing structural engineer
The site plan must include all setbacks from boundaries, contour levels, floor levels, lot number, house number, street name, north point, existing and proposed buildings, sewer and stormwater lines and easements, position of street trees, light poles, crossovers and street drainage

Please note that:

All conditions of Development Approval should be cleared with the City’s Planning Services team before submitting a Building Permit application, accompanied by a clearance letter issued by the City’s Planning Services team
The building permit drawings must match those of your Development Approval stamped drawing and DA Conditions Clearance drawings
Accompanying the drawings should be the specifications, an addendum and other information such as termite treatment and energy efficiency compliance checklist.

Please take the time to check that the application is complete. An incomplete application may be returned and the fees forfeited.

Learn more about mySouthPerth

Building Application Enquiries

One of our Building Information Officers is available to attend to general building application enquiries business hours. Enquiries can be made as follows:

By phone - a message will be taken by the Customer Service Team if the Building Information Officer is unavailable
In person - by appointment at the Civic Centre. Please call to make an appointment
In person - from 9.30-10.30am or 3-4pm at the Civic Centre (no booking required)

Do I need development approval?

In many situations Development Approval is required prior to submitting a Building Permit application.

If you are uncertain whether approval is required for your development, one of our Urban Planners is available to attend to general planning enquiries during business hours. Please call 9474 0777.

Alternatively, you can complete a Written Planning Advice enquiry through the mySouthPerth portal. Please note there is a fee associated to this enquiry, refer to the related fees table.

Building Permit applications that do not meet these requirements may be refused and fees forfeited.

Where can I find more information?

For more information regarding the requirements of the Building Act 2011 and the Building Regulations 2012, please visit the Building Commission's website. Their Building Approval Process Guide will help you understand the process for obtaining approval to build and occupy a building in Western Australia.

Related Information

Retaining Walls

You are responsible for building a retaining wall if you change the level of the land on your property either by excavation or building. This ensures there is no risk of earth movement. The responsibility for maintaining the wall passes on to any person buying the property.

If the retaining wall is higher than 500 mm, you will need a Building Permit and Planning Approval. The height of the retaining wall is measured from the natural ground level to the top of the wall.

Demolition

A demolition permit is required before a structure can be demolished or removed from your property in the City of South Perth. You can apply for a demolition permit via mySouthPerth.

Prior to approving a Demolition permit, a rat baiting program must be carried out and evidence provided to the City of South Perth. Baits must be placed in the ceilings, subfloor spaces and outbuildings at least seven days prior to demolition.

Verge Licence

During building operations, a Verge Licence is required if the builder intends to store any materials on the verge. During building operations, other than for the placement of goods on the verge for immediate transportation onto the building site, a builder is required to submit an Application to Store Materials on Verge to Deposit Building Material on, or Excavate Near a Street as prescribed in the Building Regulations. You can apply to store materials on verge via mySouthPerth.

General Conditions - Application to store materials on verge

Application for Refund of Road Reserve Access Bond

On completion of building/demolition work, please complete the Application for Refund of Road Reserve Access Bond and return it to the City.

For all enquiries relating to Verge Licence or Road Reserve Access Bonds please contact the City’s Infrastructure Services.

Related fees

Building Application - Certified
Description	Applicable to	Condition	GST	Cost
Class 1 or Class 10 (Minimum Fee)	All Applicants	Minimum Fee	Exc	As per State Government review
Class 1 or Class 10 Buildings	All Applicants	0.19% of GST inclusive value of works as determined by City but not less that $110.	Exc	As per State Government review
Class 2 - 9 Buildings	All Applicants	0.09% of GST inclusive value of works as determined by City but not less than $110	Exc	As per State Government review

Building Application - Uncertified
Description	Applicable to	Condition	GST	Cost
Class 1 or Class 10 (Minimum Fee)	All Applicants	Minimum Fee	Exc	As per State Government review
Class 1 or Class 10 Buildings	All Applicants	0.32% of GST inclusive value of works as determined by City but not less than $110	Exc	As per State Government review

Building Approval Certificates
Description	Applicable to	Condition	GST	Cost
Building Approval - Extend Effective Time	All Applicants	Per Application	Exc	As per State Government review
Occupancy Permit for Completed Building	All Applicants	Per Application	Exc	As per State Government review
Occupancy Permit for Registration of Strata Scheme	All Applicants	Per Application	Exc	As per State Government review
Occupancy Permit for Plan of Re-Subdivision	All Applicants	Per Application	Exc	As per State Government review
Modify Occupancy Permit for Temporary Additional Use of Building	If Applicable	Per Application	Exc	As per State Government review
Replacement Occupancy Permit - Existing Building	If Applicable	Per Application	Exc	As per State Government review
Replacement Occupancy Permit - Permanent Change of a Building's Classification or Use	If Applicable	Per Application	Exc	As per State Government review
Temporary Occupancy Permit - Incomplete Building	If Applicable	Per Application	Exc	As per State Government review
Occupancy Permit - Building with Unauthorised Work Having been Done	If Applicable	0.18% of GST inclusive value of works as determined by City, not less than $110	Exc	As per State Government review
Occupancy Permit - Extend Effective Time	If Applicable	Per Application	Exc	As per State Government review
Occupancy permit inspection fee (if additional inspections required)	All Applicants	Per officer attending, per inspection following initial inspection	Exc	$80.00

Retrospective Approvals
Description	Applicable to	Condition	GST	Cost
Class 1 or Class 10	All Applicants	Per Application	Exc	As per State Government review
Class 1 or Class 10 Building - Unauthorised Work	All Applicants	0.38% of GST inclusive value of works as determined by City but not less than $110	Exc	As per State Government review
Strata Unit	All Applicants	Per Application	Exc	As per State Government review
Strata Unit	All Applicants	Per Unit with 10 Unit Minimum	Exc	As per State Government review

Demolition Approval
Description	Applicable to	Condition	GST	Cost
Class 1 or Class 10	All Applicants	Per Application	Exc	As per State Government review
Class 2 - 9 Buildings	All Applicants	$110 Per Storey	Exc	As per State Government review
Demolition Bond	All Applicants	Refundable provided there is no damage to City property, infrastructure, or assets.	Exc	$1500.00
Demolition Approval - Extend Effective Time	If Applicable	Per Application	Exc	As per State Government review

Building Services Levy
Description	Applicable to	Condition	GST	Cost
Building Permit	All Applicants	Minimum $61.65 or 0.137% of value of work over $45,000	Exc	As per State Government review
Demolition Permit	All Applicants	Minimum $61.65 or 0.137% value of work over $45,000	Exc	As per State Government review
Occupancy Permit under S.46 and modification under S.48 of Building Act	All Applicants	No Levy Payable	Exc	As per State Government review
Occupancy permit or building approval certificate for approved building work under S47, 49, 50 or 52 of Building Act	All Applicants	Minimum $61.65	Exc	As per State Government review
Occupancy permit or building approval certificate for unauthorised building work under s51 of the Building Act	All Applicants	Minimum $123.30 or 0.274% of value of work over $45,000	Exc	As per State Government review

BCTIF Levy
Description	Applicable to	Condition	GST	Cost
Payable on ALL Applications	All Applicants	0.20% of GST inclusive value of works over $20,000	Exc	As per State Government review

Road Reserve Access Bonds
Description	Applicable to	Condition	GST	Cost
Single House - Minor Works less than $20,000	All applicants	Refundable provided there is no damage to City property	Exc	$530.00
Single House - Medium works equal to or greater than $20,000 but less than $30,000	All Applicants	Refundable provided there is no damage to City property.	Exc	$1,100.00
Single House - Works equal to or greater than $30,000	All Applicants	Refundable provided there is no damage to City property.	Exc	$2,500.00
Up to 3 Grouped Dwellings or Single House on Corner Lot	All Applicants	Refundable provided there is no damage to City property.	Exc	$3,500.00
More than 3 Grouped dwellings or commercial developments with a value of less than $2.0m	All Applicants	Refundable provided there is no damage to City property.	Exc	$5,000.00
Commercial Development Valued equal to or greater than $ 2.0 m.	All Applicants	Refundable provided there is no damage to City property	Exc	$15,000.00
Site Inspection Fee	All Applicants	Per Bond	Inc	$185.00