Short term accommodation

Short term accommodation may be approved if you are wanting to occupy a caravan on private property.

Approval can be considered with the following conditions;

  • Accommodation is for a period of up to three months
  • Toilet, shower and laundry must be available and connected to an approved effluent disposal system. Short term accommodation will not be considered until facilities are inspected by an Environmental Health Officer.
  • Application is accompanied by a supporting letter stating the reason why temporary accommodation is required and for what period. This should also include the number of residents, details of the size of the existing dwelling and of the existing effluent disposal system.
  • The only form of temporary accommodation to be approved will be within a caravan.

To obtain approval, please complete contact the Shire's Environmental Health team. 

 

Temporary accommodation while building 

Temporary accommodation may be approved if you are wanting to occupy a caravan during the construction of a permanent dwelling.

Approval can only be considered with the following conditions;

  • The land is one hectare or over
  • A Building Licence application has been submitted for the construction of a permanent dwelling.
  • Application includes Statutory declaration acknowledging that:
    • the request for temporary accommodation approval will not exceed 12 months (if you do require a further extension of this time, please see information below).
    • the accommodation to be vacated if Council’s permission to occupy the caravan is withdrawn.
  • A Schedule of Works for the construction of the permanent dwelling is submitted with the application. If any changes to the schedule occur you must notify the Shire’s Environmental Health Officers.
  • You supply a letter from your lending institution confirming that finance is available for the construction of the dwelling.
  • Toilet, shower and laundry must be available (connected to an approved effluent disposal system). Use of the temporary accommodation will not be commenced until facilities are inspected by an Environmental Health Officer and a Permit to Use has been issued.

 To obtain approval, please complete the Application for Temporary Accommodation and attach all supporting documents.

 

Temporary accommodation will be assessed by the Shire for the initial 6 months. If you require a further 6 months, you will be required to submit another application and fee. If you require a further extension of time (ie 12+ months), an application must be made to the Shire, which will then be forwarded onto the Minister for Local Government for assessment.

Camping on private land

The WA caravan parks and camping grounds legislation specifies the length of time a person can camp on land which they own or are legally permitted to camp on.

The legislation states a person may camp for no longer than three consecutive days in any 28-day period.

The rationale behind this is to effectively manage public health concerns such as potable water supply and liquid and solid waste disposal as well as the need to provide a minimum habitable standard.

 

For further information, please contact Health Services on 9526 1111 or by email info@sjshire.wa.gov.au