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 etc. 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 read through the owner builder application for more information.

Is Planning Approval required first?

Prior to submitting a building application and before commencing your development you may also be required to seek planning approval from the Shire to comply with the Shire of Broomehill-Tambellup Local Planning Schemes. Development approval is required for a range of development and use within the Shire. For more information please contact the Shire office on 9825 3555 or email mail@shirebt.wa.gov.au

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, 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. Please refer to the Building Permit Application Checklist for a comprehensive list of requirements.

Certified Application or Uncertified Application

A certified application is accompanied by a Certificate of Design Compliance (CDC), issued by a private Building Certifier that certifies the design of the proposed building is in compliance to the Australian Standards, Building Code of Australia, the National Construction Codes and all other associated legislation 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. Information about building classes can be viewed here.

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 Building Surveyor at the Shire will check the proposal and provide a certificate of design compliance. The Shire has 25 business days to decide on an uncertified application.

Please note that whatever type of application is made, building work must NOT commence until a building permit has been issued.

Building Permit Information

Becoming an Owner Builder

Application for Building Permit - Certified

Application for Building Permit - Uncertified

Building Permit Application Checklist

Construction Training Fund Information & Levy Payment

Application to Construct or Install an Apparatus for the Treatment of Sewage

Guidance on Site and Soil Evaluation for On-site Sewage Management

Building Permit Approvals

Building Permits for Private Swimming Pools and Pool Fencing

Unauthorised Building Work

Unauthorised works are building works that have been commenced or completed without a Building Permit. A "Building Approval Certificate" is used to retrospectively approve unauthorised building work relating to residential Class 1 and 10 Structures. 

What can I do about an unauthorised structure?

Building work must not commence without a Building Permit where one is required. The Building Act 2011 allows a person to make an application to approve unauthorised building work in relation to a building or incidental structure. This process should not be used to circumvent the need for a Building Permit.

The retrospective approval process may assist those who are buying or selling a property that has an unauthorised structure. If you have commenced building work without approval, or purchased a property with unauthorised structure/s, you are able to submit an application to obtain retrospective approval from the Shire.

In most cases, the Shire is able to grant retrospective approval for unauthorised structures. In certain circumstances, if the unauthorised building/structure does not comply with the Building Code of Australia (BCA) or relevant standards, the property owner may be requested to complete building work to achieve compliance with the relevant standards or remove the structure.

In cases where the Building Act 2011 has been breached, the Shire may consider legal action which could include the issuance of a building order for the removal of the structure/s.

How do I obtain retrospective approval?

Obtaining retrospective approval is a two-stage process, comprising firstly of obtaining a Certificate of Building Compliance (CBC) from a private building surveyor.

Once a CBC has been issued, a Building Approval Certificate should be applied for. If you would like to submit an application for unauthorised work, you will need to include the following information in your application:

1. A complete BA13 Building Approval Certificate or a BA9 Occupancy Permit application form

  • Including all owner's details, construction materials and costings

  • Signed by all owners

  • Including applicant's contact details and signed applicant statement

BA13 application forms are available here or from the front counter of the Shire's Administration Office.

2. A Certificate of Design Compliance.

This must be issued by a registered Building Surveying Practitioner and include all documentation as referenced on the Certificate of Design Compliance

3. Site plan drawn to scale, showing:

  • Location of the unauthorised structure

  • Location of all existing structures on the property

  • Measurement from the boundaries to the unauthorised structure

  • Location of any septic tanks and leach drains (if applicable)

4. Construction details drawn to scale, showing:

  • Detailed floor plan and elevations

  • Cross-section details

    5. Structural Engineer's certification

    6. Specifications

    7. Plumbing Certification (if applicable)

    8. Electrical Certification (if applicable)

    9. Energy Efficiency Certification (if applicable)

    10. Planning Residential Design Codes approval (if applicable)

    11. Construction Training Fund (CTF) levy payment receipt 

    Required in full and signed for works over $20,000

    12. Payment of fees

    Refer to the Shires Fees and Charges for full fee details

    Waste Water

    If the proposed building works involve waste water disposal (septic tanks and leach drains) an "Application to Construct or Install an Apparatus for the Treatment of Sewage" form must be completed and submitted to the Shire with your Building Permit application for a dwelling. Please click here for more information. Please also refer to the Health Departments website for more information on approved waste water systems.

    Bushfire Prone Areas

    If your property is in a declared bushfire prone area, dependant on type (class) of building, your building permit application is required to be accompanied by a Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) report. You may use the Landgate Map of Bushfire Prone Areas website link to see if that will be required or not. For more information please click here or visit the Building Commission website.

    If your property is in a declared bushfire prone area the Shire will only accept a report issued by a BPAD accredited assessor. For a list of accredited practitioners visit the Fire Protection Association Australia website,  scroll down to WA and sort by location.

    For more information please contact the Shire's administration office on 9825 3555.