Do I Need a Building Permit?

Building permits are required for the construction of new buildings and structures including additions and alterations to existing buildings.

Did you recently receive a Development Approval (DA) for a structure or building? You will now be required to submit a Building Permit Application BEFORE you commence construction of any buildings or structures listed below. When the building permit has been issued to you, only then are you free to construct as per the approved plans and technical documents.

General building work that will require a building permit includes:

Swimming pools and spas
Swimming pool security/safety barriers
Fences (not masonry) over 1.8m in height
Fences (masonry) over 750mm in height
Sheds, garages, lean-to and workshops (some exemptions apply)
Patios, verandahs, gazebos, shade sails and pergolas (some exemptions apply)
Retaining walls in excess of 500mm in height
Residential dwellings
"Tiny" homes
Earthworks and sand pads
Sea Containers (for permanent storage use and will be on the property for greater than one calendar month)
Additions and alterations to residential dwellings, including granny flats and ancillary dwellings.
Commercial buildings, including fit-outs and refurbishments
Industrial buildings
Water tanks with a capacity greater than 5000 litres

In most cases where the total value of the work exceeds $20,000, a permit can only be issued to a registered builder or in some circumstances an owner builder. More information is available at the Building Commission website.

Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety – Building Commission

If submitting a Certified Building Application, you are required to obtain a Certificate of Design Compliance from a Registered Building Surveyor. A list of registered building surveyors in Western Australia can be found here. If submitting an Uncertified Building Application or BA2, the Shire will issue this Certificate of Design Compliance with the building permit. At this point in time, the Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale will only issue these Certificates of Design Compliance for buildings classed 1a, 10a, 10b and 10c.

Will any other approvals be required?

Fun Fact: Did you know 80-90% of Building Permits are applied for and held up and sometimes refused without proper consideration for the Shire’s planning and health requirements?

It is important to speak to our planning and health teams about your project before finalising and submitting your building application. This will ensure a smoother and more efficient building approval experience.

Request for Building Plans

To request building plans for your property held by the Shire, please complete the below form and email to info@sjshire.wa.gov.au for processing.

If you would like to know what plans are available before completing the form, please contact the Shire on 9526 1111.

Request for Building Plans form

Residential Applications

Building permit applications may be lodged with the Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale as either a certified application or an uncertified application. Certified applications will require a Certificate of Design Compliance from a registered independent Building Surveyor contractor. The Shire’s Building Surveyors will be responsible for issuing Certificates of Design Compliance for uncertified applications. The Shire is the authority for issuing Building Permits for proposed building works within its jurisdiction.

Application Form - Uncertified Building Permit (BA2)

Application Form - Certified Building Permit (BA1)

Commercial and Industrial Applications

All commercial and industrial applications will need to lodge a certified application and will require a Certificate of Design Compliance from a West Australian Registered Independent Building Surveyor contractor.

Application Form - Certified Building Permit Application for Commercial and Industrial Buildings (BA1)

Application Form - Occupancy Permit (BA9)

Processing Applications

Uncertified Applications

It can take up to 25 business days from the date of lodgement to determine an uncertified application and issue a permit.

During the assessment period, if the Shire determines that further information is required the applicant will be contacted and requested to provide the outstanding information. Where it is determined that a Development Approval is required an applicant may request that their building application is placed on hold pending the outcome of the Development Application. Building Permits cannot be issued if Development Approval is required.

Certified Applications

It can take up to 10 business days from the date of lodgement to determine a certified application.

Notices of Completion and Occupancy Permits

Upon the completion of all works for which a building permit has been issued the nominated builder(s) are required to provide the Shire a Notice of Completion within 7 days of construction finishing.

All builders responsible for the construction of commercial works are required to provide the Shire with a Notice of Completion and a Certificate of Construction Compliance before any commercial or industrial building can be occupied.

Single dwellings and incidental structures (Classes 1a, 10a, 10b and 10c) do not require occupancy permits.

Request for Bond Refund Form

Notice of Completion

Stormwater and Easement Requirements

Stormwater is surface water that originates during rains.

Property owners have a statutory obligation under common law precedents and a section in the Local Government Act 1995 to confine stormwater within their boundaries.

This can be achieved by collecting stormwater in rainwater tanks, by delivering it to soakwells within your property or where available by making a connection to piped stormwater infrastructure.

For more information on stormwater and drainage, click here.