Perth Conservation Area Development Rules - City Bylaws

Parks and Public Spaces Western Australia 4 Minutes Read · published February 11, 2026 Flag of Western Australia

Perth, Western Australia protects many neighbourhoods and streetscapes through conservation and heritage-area controls administered by the City of Perth and guided by state planning policy. This article explains how development restrictions apply in conservation areas, who enforces them, typical compliance steps and where to find official forms and contacts in Perth.

Always check the City of Perth planning pages for the most current local controls.

What are conservation-area restrictions?

Conservation areas are zones or precincts identified for their heritage, cultural or streetscape value. In Perth these areas are managed through the City of Perth planning framework and relevant state guidance, which set controls on demolition, external alterations, additions, materials, rooflines and frontages. For official descriptions of local heritage area controls see the City of Perth guidance.[1]

How controls affect typical works

  • Minor repairs and like-for-like maintenance may be allowed without full planning approval but often require notification or a building permit.
  • External alterations, additions and new-builds in a conservation area normally need planning approval and assessment against heritage design criteria.
  • Demolition or substantial change generally requires explicit approval and may be refused where heritage values would be lost.
Conservation controls focus on preserving character, not preventing all change.

Design principles and state guidance

Local controls are interpreted alongside State Planning Policy for historic heritage conservation, which provides assessment principles and objectives for heritage places and precincts. Refer to the state policy for how heritage significance and adaptive reuse are assessed.[2]

Penalties & Enforcement

Enforcement is carried out by the City of Perth planning and compliance branches. Specific monetary fines and penalty schedules for unauthorised works in conservation areas are not consistently itemised on the general guidance pages; amounts are often set in the local government act, planning regulations or specific notices and may depend on the offence type and whether it is a continuing breach. Where a specific penalty is listed it will appear on the City of Perth enforcement or local laws pages, or in the planning decision notices.[1]

  • Fine amounts: not specified on the cited page.
  • Escalation: first, repeat and continuing offence procedures are handled case-by-case and may include higher fines for continuing breaches; details not specified on the cited page.
  • Non-monetary sanctions: remedial or restoration orders, stop-work notices, seizure of unauthorised materials, injunctions and prosecution in court are available remedies under planning and local government powers.
  • Enforcer and complaints: City of Perth Planning and Compliance teams handle investigations; see the City of Perth planning review and complaints information for contact and pathways.[3]
  • Appeals and reviews: administrative review with the City and external review to the State Administrative Tribunal are the usual routes; specific time limits for lodging appeals are not specified on the cited City guidance pages.
  • Defences and discretion: lawful permits, approved variances and reasonable excuse (such as emergency works) may be recognised; seek pre-application advice to reduce risk.
If you discover unauthorised works, notify City of Perth Planning immediately to reduce potential penalties.

Applications & Forms

Typical applications for conservation-area works include a development application (planning approval) and a building permit if works involve structure or services. The City of Perth publishes forms and application checklists via its planning applications pages; fees, lodgement methods and supporting documentation requirements are listed there. If a specific form number or fee is not on the guidance page it will be shown on the City’s application portal or fee schedule.[1]

  • Application type: Development Application (planning) and Building Permit (where applicable).
  • Fees: see the City of Perth fees schedule; some heritage assessments may carry additional fees.
  • Deadlines: statutory advertising and decision periods apply; check City of Perth guidance for current timeframes.

Practical compliance steps

  1. Check whether your property lies within a conservation or heritage area on the City of Perth maps and lists.
  2. Request pre-application advice from City of Perth Planning with proposed drawings and a statement of heritage impact.
  3. Prepare a development application addressing heritage criteria and submit with any required reports (heritage impact statement, elevations, materials sample).
  4. Pay required application and assessment fees and respond to any requests for further information during assessment.
  5. If a decision refuses or imposes conditions you can seek internal review or apply to the State Administrative Tribunal for review.
Early contact with planning officers is the single most effective way to streamline approval in a conservation area.

FAQ

Do I always need planning approval for works in a conservation area?
Not always; minor repairs may not need planning approval but many external changes, additions or demolition do require approval. Check with City of Perth Planning.
How do I find out if my property is in a conservation area?
Use the City of Perth heritage and planning maps or contact the City of Perth Planning team for confirmation and guidance.[1]
What if I find unauthorised demolition or alterations nearby?
Report the matter to City of Perth Compliance via the official complaints page; the City can investigate and take enforcement action.

How-To

  1. Confirm heritage status for your property on the City of Perth heritage mapping or contact planning.
  2. Obtain pre-application advice from the City of Perth Planning team and request a heritage impact checklist.
  3. Prepare and lodge a development application with heritage documentation and pay fees.
  4. Respond to the City’s requests for information during assessment and, if required, modify proposals to meet heritage criteria.
  5. If refused, seek internal review or lodge an appeal to the State Administrative Tribunal within the statutory period indicated by the City.

Key Takeaways

  • Conservation-area works commonly need planning approval to protect character.
  • Get pre-application advice from City of Perth Planning to reduce delays.
  • Forms, fees and checklists are provided by the City; follow guidance closely.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] City of Perth: Heritage and conservation guidance
  2. [2] Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage: State Planning Policy 3.5 Historic Heritage Conservation
  3. [3] City of Perth: Appeals, reviews and planning decision information

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