Services » Building Services
Building Services
The Shire’s Building Services team is responsible for ensuring all building works undertaken within the Shire complies with relevant regulations and policies.
NEW BUILDING ACT
The commencement of the Building Act 2011 on 2 April 2012 introduces a new building approval process for Western Australia. The Building Act and the Building Regulations 2012 replace the Building Regulations 1989 and much of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1960, and amends a range of associated acts.
Under the Building Act 2012 a building permit is required before commencement of most building work. In many cases the builder obtains the permit.
Formal approval (a building permit) is required for any building work involving the development of new structures, alterations or extensions and changes in ground levels. These include:
- Swimming Pools and Spas
- Sheds/Garages/Workshops
- Patios/Verandahs/Gazebos/Pergolas
- Retaining Walls
- Residential Dwellings/Granny Flats/Additions & Alterations
- Commercial Buildings including fit-outs and refurbishments
- Industrial Buildings
If 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. Please refer to the Building Commission website for additional information.
How do I get a building permit?
The commencement of the Building Act 2011 on 2 April 2012 introduces significant changes and options to the way in which you can obtain a Building Permit from a Permit Authority.
One of the more significant changes of the Act is that you will now be required to obtain a "Certificate of Design Compliance" from a Registered Building Surveyor before you can obtain a Building Permit. A Registered Building Surveyor can be a person who works for a Permit Authority, (such as Local Government) or who is privately employed. A permit authority is obligated to provide a service to issue a Certificate of Design Compliance for Residential (Class 1 and 10) buildings but is not required to provide this service for Class 2-9 Buildings.
The Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale, (the Shire), is a Permit Authority and intends to continue to provide a service to applicants who wish to obtain a Certificate of Design Compliance for Class 1 and 10 buildings within the district of the Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale, and Class 2-9 at its discretion until further notice.
For Residential (Class 1 and 10 Buildings), the Building Act provides 2 types of applications that you can make to seek a "Building Permit", a "Certified Application" and an "Uncertified Application".
For Class 2-9 Buildings, you only have the option to lodge a "Certified Application".
- A Certified Application may be made after you have obtained a Certificate of Design Compliance from a Registered Building Surveyor.
- An Uncertified Application may be made where you wish to have the permit authority undertake the assessment of a Class 1 or 10 building and issue both the Certificate of Design Compliance and Building Permit.
You also need to be aware that the Act also sets some time limits within which the Shire has to assess and determine an application for a building permit. Time limits also apply within which an applicant needs to submit further information where an assessment of an application finds that an application is missing information. It is important that before lodging an application for a building permit you make sure you are aware of these time limits and that your application is complete.
UNCERTIFIED - BUILDING PERMIT APPLICATION (FOR RESIDENTIAL CLASS 1 AND 10 BUILDINGS ONLY)
- The Shire has 25 business days from the date of lodgement within which to determine an application for compliance.
- If it has not determined the application within 25 business days, the application is taken to have been refused and you are entitled to a refund of your fee.
- If during assessment of the application within the 25 business day period, the Shire finds that there is information missing, the applicant may be given up to 21 calendar days within which to submit all the outstanding information.
- Following submission of the outstanding information, the Shire has a further 25 business days to determine the application.
CERTIFIED - BUILDING PERMIT APPLICATION (FOR ALL CLASSES OF BUILDINGS)
- For a certified application you will need to first obtain a "Certificate of Design Compliance" issued by a Registered Building Surveyor, which will likely include a fee which will vary dependant on the Building Surveyor or organisation that you engage to provide this Certificate.
- On lodgement of a Certified Application, the Shire has 10 business days from the date of lodgement within which to determine a Certified Application.
- If during the assessment of the application within the 10 business day period the Shire notifies the applicant that further information is required, the applicant may be given up to 21 calendar days within which to provide the information.
- Following submission of the outstanding information, the Shire has a further 10 business days to determine the application.
PLEASE NOTE: If the Shire has not determined the application within the initial assessment period the application is taken to have been refused and you are entitled to a refund of your fee. However, the Shire may still be able to issue the building permit after the 10 business days.
- In the event your application is taken to be refused, you are entitled to make an application to the State Administrative Tribunal for a review of the decision.
- It is important that when the Shire has requested further information following assessment of either application type, that you submit the information in one bundle and make sure that it accurately answers all specific issues, if not, the Shire also has the option to refuse the application.
In order to provide a smooth transition into the Building Act and Regulations, the Shire can provide an alternative system for proposals to build within the Shire.
THIRD (3RD) PATHWAY SYSTEM
Under this "3rd" Pathway System you will effectively be engaging the Shire to undertake the assessment of your building proposal and provide you with a Certificate of Design Compliance (CDC). The Shire has set this system up so that there will be no time constraints during the assessment period which to issue a CDC and hence no danger of the application being refused and losing the application fee. The fee will be the same as it is for an Uncertified Application. (Note: Other standard fees apply such as the Building Services Levy and Construction Training Fund Levy).
The documentation submitted with this application is the same level of documentation needed for an uncertified application. To assist the Shire has created a "help pack" with additional information.
Help Pack (40KB)
External Check Sheet for New Building Applications Class 1 & 10 (26KB)
Engineering Services Building Permit Application Pre-lodgement Check Sheet (22.5KB)
Info Note BS14 - Plans and Fees for Building and Demolition (37KB)
Application Forms
The most relevant application forms (this does not include the Shire's 3rd Pathway System request form) relating to construction works under the Building Act 2011 are now issued by the Building Commission. The Commision's website also includes information on how to complete the relevant forms. To ensure that the most up to date forms are used, you can access the complete list of forms from the Building Commission website at www.buildingcommission.wa.gov.au
The list below describes the various application forms that you can download from the Commission's website. Please also refer to the guide accompanying your application type:
| Form | Description |
| BA01 | Application for Building Permit Certified |
| BA02 | Application for Building Permit Uncertified |
| BA05 | Application for Demolition Permit |
| BA09 | Application for Occupancy Permit |
| BA11 | Application for Occupancy Permit Strata |
| BA13 | Application for Building Approval Certificate |
| BA15 | Application for Building Approval Certificate Strata |
Third Pathway Application Form (22KB)
Building operating hours and enquiries
In order to maintain realistic timeframes for assessment of applications and issue of licences in our rapidly growing Shire, Building Services will be closed every Friday to ensure we stay on top of our workload. Site visits, counter enquiries and telephone calls should be arranged for Monday to Thursday.
The Building Services team is also able to respond to your query via email. You can email the team at info@sjshire.wa.gov.au and place 'Building Services Enquiry' as your subject line to ensure that your enquiry is responded to as quickly as possible. Please include the property details and your contact information in the email.
Useful Information Links
Water Corporation - Building and Renovating
Access to Premises for People with Disabilities
Residential Smoke Alarm Requirements on Sale, Lease or Rental of Property