The fee is the same at every council
Building permit fees are set by the state's Building Regulations 2012, not by each council. So a BA2 for a $30,000 patio costs the same in Joondalup as it does in Rockingham. What changes between councils are the extras, like verge bonds and planning fees.
| Charge | Amount |
|---|---|
| BA2 (uncertified) application | 0.32% of the value, at least $121 |
| BA1 (certified) application, houses and Class 10 | 0.19% of the value, at least $121 |
| Building Services Levy | $61.65 for work up to $45,000; 0.137% of the value above that |
| Construction Training Fund levy | 0.2% of the value, only for work over $100,000 |
The value is the full cost of the work including GST: materials, labour, services, fees, overheads and profit.
What you'll pay for a BA2
| Value of work | BA2 fee | Levy | CTF | Total to council |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $20,000 (shed, patio, carport) | $121 | $61.65 | None | $182.65 |
| $45,000 | $144 | $61.65 | None | $205.65 |
| $60,000 (large garage) | $192 | $82.20 | None | $274.20 |
| $150,000 (granny flat) | $480 | $205.50 | $300 | $985.50 |
A BA1 costs less in council fees (for example $285 instead of $480 at $150,000), but you also pay a private building surveyor.
Extras that vary by council
| Council | Extra charge |
|---|---|
| City of Wanneroo | Street and Verge Bond with every building permit: $140 admin fee, plus a $2,200 refundable bond if the work is worth $20,000 or more |
| City of Melville | Verge bond of $1,900 plus a $100 inspection fee for work over $20,000 |
| City of Stirling | $110 to amend a permit or the builder's details (BA19) |
Other councils have their own verge, crossover and inspection charges, listed in their yearly fees and charges schedule.
If you need planning approval too
Planning (development) approval is a separate fee. At councils we've checked, such as Subiaco and Melville, it's $147 for work up to $50,000. It's only needed when your project doesn't meet the standard planning rules, or is in a heritage area.