Free checker
Do I need council approval?
In Western Australia, most garages, carports, attached patios, decks, granny flats and pools need a building permit. Small freestanding sheds and patios (10 m² or less and no taller than 2.4 m) usually don't. Use the checker below for your project.
Last updated 29 October 2026
Check your project
Answer a few quick questions. It takes about 20 seconds.
The WA rules at a glance
These are the general rules from the WA Building Regulations 2012 and the Residential Design Codes (R-Codes). Your council's local planning scheme can add to them.
| Project | Building permit | Planning approval |
|---|---|---|
| Freestanding shed or patio, 10 m² or less and 2.4 m tall or less | Usually not needed | Only if local rules apply |
| Shed over 10 m² or 2.4 m, or attached | Needed | Sometimes (boundary, heritage) |
| Garage | Needed | Often, depending on setbacks |
| Patio or roofed pergola attached to the house | Needed | Sometimes (boundary, heritage) |
| Open pergola with no roof covering | Often not needed up to a set size | Only if local rules apply |
| Deck | Usually needed | Sometimes (raised decks, privacy) |
| Carport | Needed | Often, if in the front setback |
| Granny flat up to 70 m² on a residential lot | Needed | Not needed if it meets the R-Codes |
| Tiny home on wheels, more than a few nights | Not a building | Local government approval, up to 24 months |
| Pool or spa holding more than 300 mm of water | Needed, plus a barrier | Rarely |
Already built something without a permit? See retrospective approval.
Questions
Common questions
Is this checker the final word?
No. It reflects the general WA rules in the Building Regulations 2012 and the R-Codes. Councils can add their own local planning rules, and things like heritage areas, bushfire areas, easements and boundary walls can change the answer. We confirm with your council before you build.
What is the difference between a building permit and planning approval?
A building permit checks that the structure is safe and meets the building code. Planning approval (also called development approval) checks that it suits the site and the street, for example setbacks, height and heritage. Some projects need both, and planning approval usually comes first.
What if my project doesn't need a permit?
Then you can go ahead, as long as you still follow the planning rules and build it properly. If we find you don't need a permit, we tell you, and there is no charge.
What happens if I build without a permit?
Your council can issue a notice to fix or remove the work, and fines in WA can reach $50,000 for a first offence. Unapproved work also tends to come up when you sell. If it is already built, retrospective approval is usually possible.
Want a definite answer?
Send us your project and address. We check it against your council's rules and tell you exactly what you need, with a fixed price if you need a permit.