WA Council Approvals for Patios and Sheds
Find out what rules apply to your property and get the right links for your local council.
Do I need approval?
It depends on your block and what you want to build. You might need a building permit, planning approval, both, or neither. Always check with your local council before you start building.
Building Permits: BA1 vs BA2
These are the two common WA building-permit application pathways. Your council or building surveyor can confirm which one suits your project.
BA1: Certified
A private building surveyor checks the plans and provides a certificate before the application goes to council. The statutory assessment period is generally 10 business days.
BA2: Uncertified
The application goes directly to council for assessment without a prior private certification. The statutory assessment period is generally 25 business days.
Simple Property Pre-Check
Check these things before you order your kit.
- 1Check your title and where you want to build.
- 2Check boundaries and easements.
- 3Find out where services run.
- 4Ask your council about planning rules.
- 5Check delivery and building access.
- 6Get expert help where you need it.
Title and easements
A current title record may show ownership, legal description and registered interests, but no one document shows every constraint. Easements may benefit or burden land and may matter near a proposed placement.
Use qualified legal or property interpretation for rights or interests relevant to your proposal.
Services and network assets
Underground electricity, gas, telecommunications, water and sewer services, and overhead network assets, may need early awareness. BYDA is a referral and service-plan starting point, not exact locating; Water Corporation assets may affect placement or an application.
Follow current asset-owner and qualified locator guidance; this does not provide clearances or excavation instructions.
Boundaries and survey information
Fences, features, maps and existing structures are not proof of a legal boundary. Official survey documents can inform an early check where a placement position matters.
Use a licensed surveyor where legal boundary position needs to be established.
Planning controls
Setbacks and local planning can vary with the lot, project, zoning, framework, local government and site. PlanWA is an initial check only, including planning, heritage and special-area mapping.
Do not rely on universal distances; confirm questions with the relevant authority or practitioner and review the BA1/BA2 guidance.
Covenants
Registered or private restrictions may matter to a proposal and can appear in title material.
Seek qualified legal or property advice about interpretation or enforceability.
Access
Early notes about delivery, material and construction access can include gates, narrow drives, turning space, slopes and overhead obstructions. This City of Swan example is not statewide guidance.
Confirm practical logistics with an appropriate qualified provider; no delivery or crane feasibility is promised.
Visible site constraints
You can note existing structures, pools, retaining walls, fences, tanks, on-site wastewater, slope, levels, drainage paths, infrastructure and other visible constraints before ordering.
Questions about septic systems, strata, BAL, bushfire, flood, heritage, coastal or acid-sulfate matters should be confirmed with the relevant authority or qualified provider.
Your council decides planning and building permit matters.
Surveyors, service locators and other qualified professionals handle their own checks.
Find Your Council
Type your suburb or council name to get the right official links.
What Happens Next?
Check your council
Use the directory above to see what rules apply to your block.
Get a quote
Choose your kit and get a price from us. Ask our team what engineering documents are available for your project.
Apply for approval
Submit what your council requires. Confirm your approvals before you start building.