ADU Permit Process - Perth, Western Australia

Housing and Building Standards Western Australia 4 Minutes Read ยท published February 11, 2026 Flag of Western Australia

Applying for an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) in Perth, Western Australia requires both planning and building approvals. This guide explains the local planning rules, the state Residential Design Codes that commonly apply, the building-permit process, enforcement and appeal options, and practical steps to lodge an application and comply. Use the official City of Perth and WA government resources linked below to confirm requirements for your site and to download forms.

Planning & Approval Overview

Most ADUs are assessed as secondary or ancillary dwellings under local planning schemes and the Western Australian Residential Design Codes. If your property is in the City of Perth, you will normally need a development approval from the City and a separate building permit before construction begins. For primary guidance on local approvals consult the City of Perth development pages: City of Perth Development Approvals[1]. For detailed design standards consult the state Residential Design Codes: Residential Design Codes (R-Codes)[2].

Penalties & Enforcement

The City of Perth and other local governments enforce planning approvals and building compliance under local planning schemes and state building laws. Official pages for enforcement action and compliance procedures are maintained by the City and state regulators; specific fine amounts and escalation details are not always listed on the summary pages cited below.

  • Fines: not specified on the cited page; refer to the City of Perth enforcement pages for case details and fee schedules.
  • Escalation: first, repeat or continuing offences may result in infringement notices, orders to remediate, or prosecution; specific ranges are not specified on the cited pages.
  • Non-monetary sanctions: remediation or removal orders, building-stop notices, orders to obtain retrospective approval, and court action are used by enforcement authorities.
  • Enforcer and complaints: the City of Perth compliance or planning team handles local breaches; building compliance may involve the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety. Use the local council contact pages to lodge complaints.
  • Appeals/review: planning decisions may be reviewed by the State Administrative Tribunal; time limits for lodging appeals are described on the Tribunal site or the decision notice and are not specified on the cited planning summary pages.
  • Defences/discretion: councils commonly allow variations via discretionary approvals, or may accept a reasonable excuse in limited circumstances; consult the decision notice and council officer advice.
If you proceed without required approvals you risk enforcement action, fines and being required to undo work.

Applications & Forms

Key applications typically required for an ADU in Perth:

  • Development Application (DA) or application for development approval from the City of Perth - use the council lodgement page for forms, checklist and submission method.
  • Building Permit (issued by a registered building surveyor) required before construction; guidance and regulatory detail on building permits is on the WA government building site.
  • Fees: application and assessment fees vary by council and project scale; specific amounts or fee schedules are not specified on the cited summary pages and must be checked on the official fee schedules when lodging.
  • Deadlines and processing: statutory and council processing times vary; see the City of Perth lodgement instructions and the relevant decision notice for any appeal time limits.
Begin by contacting the City planning duty planner to check whether your site is suitable for an ADU.

How to Apply

Follow these practical steps to apply for an ADU permit in Perth.

  1. Pre-application advice: request a duty-planner meeting with the City of Perth to confirm zoning, lot boundaries, and any heritage or precinct overlays.
  2. Prepare a development application: include site plan, elevations, floor plans, and a planning justification addressing R-Codes performance criteria if applicable.
  3. Obtain a building permit: engage a registered building surveyor to prepare and lodge the building permit application once planning approval is granted or concurrently where allowed.
  4. Pay fees and provide documentation: submit forms, required reports (eg. structural, energy), and payment as per council and building regulator instructions.
  5. Inspections and compliance: arrange mandatory inspections during construction and satisfy any conditions on the development approval or building permit.
  6. Finalise approvals: obtain final inspection sign-off and any occupation certificate as required by the building regulator.
Early engagement with both planning and building officers reduces delays and unexpected conditions.

FAQ

Do I always need a development approval for an ADU in Perth?
An ADU usually requires development approval under the local planning scheme; check with the City of Perth planning team for your site specifics.
Can I build an ADU if my property is heritage-listed?
Heritage listings can restrict ADU development or require additional approvals; consult the City of Perth heritage planning pages and include heritage impact information with an application.
What is the difference between planning approval and a building permit?
Planning approval assesses land use and design against planning rules; a building permit ensures construction meets building standards and is issued or certified by a registered building surveyor and the state regulator.

How-To

  1. Check zoning and R-Code requirements for your property by consulting the City of Perth and R-Codes guidance.
  2. Book a pre-application meeting with the City planning staff to review constraints and required documents.
  3. Prepare and lodge a development application with required plans and reports using the City of Perth lodgement system.
  4. Engage a registered building surveyor to lodge the building-permit application once planning approval is obtained or concurrently if allowed.
  5. Complete construction to approved plans, pass inspections and obtain final sign-off or occupation certificate where required.

Key Takeaways

  • ADUs need both planning approval and a building permit in most Perth locations.
  • Start with a pre-application meeting with the City of Perth to identify specific site controls.
  • Engage a registered building surveyor early to avoid construction delays.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] City of Perth - Development Approvals
  2. [2] WA Department of Planning - Residential Design Codes (R-Codes)

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