Building Permits, Applications and Forms
Overview
A building permit is required prior to commencing construction for most structures (residential, commercial or industrial) including but not limited to new works, additions, alterations, commercial fitouts and refurbishments, changes to ground levels, swimming pools, spas and pool barriers.
There are 2 different types of building permit applications:
Uncertified
Certified
The applicant is to provide details of the person responsible for the work, ie the builder 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.
Certified Application for a Building Permit
A certified application must be accompanied by a signed Certificate of Design Compliance and can be made for any class of building and incidental structure.
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.
An independent building surveyor is appointed by the applicant to check the proposal and provide a Certificate of Design Compliance for lodgement with the permit authority along with other relevant documentation.
The permit authority has 10 business days to decide on a Certified application.
BA1 Application For Building Permit - Certified
Certified Building Application Checklist
Fee Calculators
Submit application:
Applications can be lodged by:
(Lodgement by email is the Town's preferred method)
Uncertified Application for a Building Permit
An Uncertified application is submitted to the permit authority without a Certificate of Design Compliance and can only be made for Class 1a and Class 10 buildings and incidental structures.
In the application process, the Town's contract building surveyor will assess the building plans and issue a Certificate of Design Compliance after the application is received.
The Town has 25 business days to decide on an uncertified application. If further information is required before approval, the Town will notify the applicant and the applicant will have 21 working days to provide the information.
Uncertified applications can include the following class types:
- Class 1A - house, alterations and additions
- Class 10A - shed, garage, carport, patio and pergola
- Class 10B - boundary fence, retaining wall and swimming pools
BA2 Application For Building Permit - Uncertified
Uncertified Building Application Checklist
Fee Calculators
Submit application:
Applications can be lodged by:
(Lodgement by email is the Town's preferred method)
Demolition Permit
- A demolition permit is required prior to the demolition of any major structure.
- A permit is not required for the demolition of incidental structures such as patios, pergolas and garden sheds.
- If the demolition works is likely to encroach or adversely affect adjoining land, you will be required to notify and gain consent of the adjoining land owner(s) prior to demolition permit being granted and the work commencing.
- Development approval may be required if demolition works are located in a heritage-protected place.
Please note: A demolition permit cannot be issued until a development approval has been granted (where required).
Application Requirements
To obtain a Demolition Permit, the Town requires the submission to include the following:
Demolition Permit Application Form and Fees
BA5 Application For Demolition Permit signed by all property owners and the demolition contractor.
Demolition Application Checklist
Fee Calculators
Site Plan (with existing building/s and scale)
Details of buildings to be demolished and retained (partial demolition only) are to be provided.
If partial demolition is proposed, it is required that you obtain structural engineers certification that the remaining portion of the building will not be structurally compromised.
Rat Bait Certificate
A Letter or Certificate from a Pest Inspector confirming the property has been rat baited. Rat baiting is required to be undertaken in all the main structures to be demolished.
Disconnection of services
All services are required to be disconnected prior to the issue of a Demolition Permit including Alinta Gas, Western Power, Water Corporation and Telstra.
BCITF Levy Form or BCITF receipt
The Building and Construction Industry Training Fund (BCITF) is only required to be paid for applications with a contract value that is over $20,000 (cost of development including GST). Please pay directly to BCITF and supply a receipt from BCITF as proof of the payment.
Construction Training Fund
Certificate of Title
A Certificate of Title is an official land ownership record and gives you:
- current ownership details
- volume and folio
- survey plan number and type
- document numbers for encumbrances and notifications
- whether there is a caveat against the title.
You can order a copy of the Certificate of Title from Landgate
Demolition of Buildings Containing Asbestos
Demolition of buildings containing asbestos are required to have the asbestos removed in accordance with the requirements of the Health (Asbestos) Regulations 1994. Copy of WorkSafe Asbestos Removal Licence required.
Authorities to Notify for Demolition Works
- Water Corporation 13 13 85
- Western Power 13 10 87
- Alinta Energy 13 13 58
- WorkSafe 1300 307 877
Infrastructure Bond and Verge Inspection Fee
Payment of a $5000 Infrastructure Bond is required for a Demolition Permit to be issued.
The bond is refundable upon completion of works and restoration of all Town property prior to application.
Please note the Town will undertake a site inspection prior to Council approval to refund the bond. The fee for this inspection is $78.10 and is required to be paid prior to inspection.
Submit application
Applications can be lodged by:
(Lodgement by email is the Town's preferred method)
Application Forms and Guides
Building Approval Forms
Guide To Building Approvals Process
National Construction Code (Building Code of Australia)
The National Construction Code (NCC) provides the minimum necessary requirements for safety, health, amenity and sustainability in the design and construction of new buildings (and new building work in existing buildings) throughout Australia. The Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) produces the NCC and offers supporting materials and resources that may assist you in further understanding and applying the NCC. The below link will take you direct to the NCC page on the ABCB website for more information.
National Construction Code
Construction Management Plan
A Construction Management Plan (CMP) is a document which outlines the methods to be used during the construction process.
The CMP is a document to:
- minimise the amenity impact on surrounding landowners and occupiers;
- deal with relevant environmental considerations
- ensure clear communication and effective complaints management; and
- to protect Town assets.
Where a construction management plan is required, the Town will include this as a condition of development approval.
Please see below Construction Management Plan Template to download:
Construction Management Plan - Template
Submit your Construction Management Plan
Please download and complete the construction management template and attach all relevant documents. Send in an email to admin@eastfremantle.wa.gov.au.
The CMP should be lodged a minimum of 30 days before the start of development.
The Town aims to review the information provided and will advise if any further information is required within 10 working days of lodgement.
Infrastructure Bonds
As part of the Town's commitment to public safety and maintaining the community's assets, the property owner or builder is required to pay an infrastructure bond upon lodgement of a building or demolition permit application. The bond protects the Town against damage to roads, footpaths, kerbs and drains during construction work.
The Town will undertake a site inspection of the verge infrastructure prior to works or construction commencing.
Upon completion of all works, it is the responsibility of the builder or demolition contractor to submit a Notice of Completion Form (BA07). If the completed works relate to a swimming pool / spa, the property owner will need to provide a compliant swimming pool / spa inspection report.
A further site inspection will be undertaken by the Town upon receipt of the bond refund request form. This inspection will only be conducted when all the building construction/demolition and associated works (including verge clean-up) are completed. The deposit will only be refunded if the relevant verge is returned to pre-works condition.
Please allow approximately 5 weeks for the refund to be processed if the inspection is passed.
The following bond is payable:
$1,500 bond for value of works under $20,000
$3,000 bond for value of works between $20,001 - $100,000
$5,000 bond for value of works between $100,001 - $2 million or corner lot properties
$5,000 bond for Demolition permits
Value of works over $2 million - Price based on replacement costs of adjacent Council assets, calculated by Executive Manager Technical Services
To apply for the bond refund, a Bond Refund Request Form and compliant swimming pool / spa report (if relevant) is to be completed and sent by email to admin@eastfremantle.wa.gov.au. The fee for this inspection is $78.10 (non-refundable) and is required to be paid prior to inspection. To make a payment, contact the Town of East Fremantle via phone (08) 9339 9339.
Infrastructure Bond Refund Request
BA7 Notice Of Completion
After construction
Notice of completion
Upon completion of all works, it is the responsibility of the builder or demolition contractor to submit a BA7 Notice Of Completion to the Town within 7 working days of completion of works, or the stage of work, for which the permit was granted.
This establishes the end date of the permit for compliance and record keeping purposes. The person named as builder or demolition contractor remains liable for the building or demolition complying with the Building Act until a notice of cessation or a notice of completion is issued.
A notice of completion must state the work, or stage of the work, for which the permit is granted is completed and be accompanied by a copy of a certificate for each inspection or test that applies to the permit.
Submitting a Notice of Completion
A Notice of Completion can be submitted by email to admin@eastfremantle.wa.gov.au.
Amending, extending or cancelling a building permit
It may be necessary to make changes to an approval after the permit is issued. The Town may extend the time of a permit, or reissue a permit to a new contractor within circumstance.
Amending a permit after approval
The Building Act 2011 does not provide for plans to be amended after a building permit has been issued. Where changes are proposed to the building work, those changes will need to be considered accordingly.
Minor changes such as substituting building materials, may simply be noted on amended drawings as a record but significant changes may require a new building permit with a rectified certificate of design compliance.
Amending builder's details
Guidance note amending building permits
BA19 Request To Amend The Building Permit Or Builder's Details
Extending the time of a permit
Building and demolition permits are valid for two years, unless otherwise stated on the permit, and the work must be completed within that time. It work has been substantially commenced but not completed when the permit expires, the Town may consider an application to extend the time on the permit.
Making an application does not guarantee approval.
To apply to extend a building or demolition permit, please complete a BA22 Application To Extend Time
An application fee of $110 is payable upon lodgement of the application.
Cancelling a building permit
A nominated builder or contractor can submit a BA8 Notice Of Cessation for incomplete works. A BA8 identifies at what stage the building works have ceased. The person named as the builder or demolition contractor remains liable for the building or demolition complying with the Building Act until a notice of cessation or a notice of completion is issued.
Materials on Verge Permit
The Town has the authority to allow the use of the City's road reserve for the storage of certain materials including conditions on how the verge area is used.
It is an offence to place anything in the verge area without the Town's approval. To obtain approval to use the verge during building, demolition or development works, please complete an Application To Place Materials On Verge Permit
Please note, sheds and toilets will not be permitted.
A minimum fee of $100 will be charged for a verge permit and is valid for 3 months from the date of approval.
Please note that a verge permit will only be issued where there is limited space due to the size of the lot or the nature of the building design.
The Application to Place Materials on the Verge can be submitted by email to admin@eastfremantle.wa.gov.au.
Occupancy Permit
What is an Occupancy Permit?
An occupancy permit grants approval for a building to be occupied or used. Details of the Occupancy Permit or a copy must be displayed at or near the main entrance to the building, clearly visible to occupiers and visitors to the building.
It is an offence under the Building Act 2011 (the Act) to occupy a building without a valid Occupancy Permit. Substantial penalties apply under the Act and Building Regulations 2012 for non-compliance with this requirement.
When do I need to obtain an Occupancy Permit?
Before a Class 2 to Class 9 building can be occupied, an Occupancy Permit must be obtained from the Town. The following circumstances will require an Occupancy Permit:
- To occupy a completed new building or a new part of an existing building
- To occupy an incomplete building or part of a building on a temporary basis
- To modify a current Occupancy Permit for additional use of a building on a temporary basis
- To occupy a building or part of a building that has undergone a permanent change of use or classification
- To authorise and occupy an unauthorised building or an unauthorised part of a building
- To authorise a building with an existing approval with a new or replacement occupancy permit.
Occupancy Permits for new buildings
To apply for an Occupancy Permit for new completed buildings, the following must be submitted:
- BA9 - Application for occupancy permit
- A Certificate of Construction Compliance (Form BA17) signed by a registered private building surveyor
- Evidence of approval from various authorities under written law as relevant to the building or incidental structure
- Prescribed fees, refer to schedule of fees
Occupancy Permits for existing authorised occupied buildings
Before an Occupancy Permit can be issued for an existing authorised building, the following information must be submitted:
- BA9 - Application for occupancy permit
- A Certificate of Building Compliance (Form BA18) signed by a registered private building surveyor confirming that the existing building has been inspected and it complies with all applicable building standards it was approved under
- Prescribed fees, refer to schedule of fees
Occupancy Permits for existing unauthorised buildings
To enable the Town to issue a retrospective Occupancy Permit for an existing unauthorised building and/or change of use, the following information must be submitted:
- BA9 - Application for occupancy permit
- A Certificate of Building Compliance (Form BA18) signed by a registered private building surveyor confirming that the building has been inspected and it complies with all current applicable building standards
- Prescribed fees, refer to schedule of fees
Submit an Occupancy Permit application
A building must be completed with all services (i.e. electrical, mechanical, fire and hydraulic services) installed and operational before an Occupancy Permit application is submitted to the Town. Please note that technical certificates from specialists and trades may be required to be lodged with your application. Please consult with your registered private building surveyor.
BA9 Application For Occupancy Permit
The Occupancy Permit Application can be submitted by email to admin@eastfremantle.wa.gov.au.
Timeframe
The Town has 10 business days to make a decision on an Occupancy Permit application. In some instances, a further information request letter will be sent to the nominated builder or applicant if the Town determines that additional information is required. The builder/applicant has 21 calendar days to provide the requested information. The Occupancy Permit application would be put on hold pending the submission of the requested information. If the additional information is not received within the 21 day time frame, the Town has the right to refuse the application and retain the application fee.
Fee Calculators
Sea Container Placement Permit
If you wish to temporarily place a sea container on a Town verge, you will need to obtain a Sea Container Placement Permit.
The permit fee is $54.80.
Sea Container Placement Permit Form
Permits are valid for 7 days.
Please ensure this is completed and submitted prior to a Sea Container being delivered on site.
The Sea Container Placement Permit form can be submitted by email to admin@eastfremantle.wa.gov.au.
Skip Bin Permit
If you require a Skip Bin on site at any time not just during building construction you can apply for a permit. The permit fee is $54.80.
A standard permit will be issued for a maximum of 4 weeks.
An application form must be submitted to Ranger Services no later than 7 days prior to the placement of the skip bin on public property.
An extension may be requested and a new fee of $13.80 will be charged for a Skip Bin Permit Extension. The extension will be conditional after an inspection of the area.
Extensions of 14 days maximum will only be considered if the application is received prior to the expiry of the existing permit.
Skip Bin Permit Application Form
Skip Bin Extension Application Form
Please ensure this is completed and submitted prior to a Skip Bin being delivered on site, allowing up to four business days for your application to be processed.
The Skip Bin Permit Application can be submitted by email to admin@eastfremantle.wa.gov.au.