What is retrospective approval?
Retrospective approval is how you get building work approved after it has been built. In Western Australia the document you end up with is a Building Approval Certificate. It confirms the structure meets the building standards, so it can stay.
It is common for patios, sheds, carports, decks, enclosed alfresco areas and pools that were built by a previous owner, or built without anyone realising a permit was needed.
When do people need it?
- Selling a house. A buyer's building inspection or settlement agent spots a structure that isn't on council records.
- A council letter. The council has noticed the work, often from aerial photos or a neighbour's complaint.
- Insurance or finance. An insurer or lender asks whether the structure is approved.
- Peace of mind. You bought a house and want to know everything on it is legal.
How the process works in WA
- Check council records. We find out what your council already has on file for the property.
- Measure and draw. We prepare as-built plans of the structure and a site plan.
- Surveyor inspection. A registered building surveyor inspects the work and, if it meets the standards, issues a Certificate of Building Compliance (form BA18). Some councils require this to come from a private surveyor.
- Planning approval, if needed. If the structure breaks a planning rule, such as a front setback, retrospective planning approval comes first.
- Lodge the application. We lodge the Building Approval Certificate application (form BA13) with the certificate, plans and fees.
- Certificate issued. The council issues the Building Approval Certificate (form BA14).
What if the structure doesn't comply?
Sometimes the surveyor finds something that needs fixing first, such as missing tie-downs, undersized footings or a pool barrier with gaps. In that case you get a list of what to change. Once it is fixed, the certificate can be issued. In a small number of cases, usually serious planning problems, a council can require the structure to be changed or removed.
What does it cost?
The cost has three parts: our fixed fee for the paperwork and coordination, the building surveyor's fee for the inspection and certificate, and the council's fees and levies, which are based on the value of the work. We give you one fixed price that shows each part before you commit.
Is it worth doing?
Usually, yes. Building without a permit is an offence in WA, with fines of up to $50,000 for a first offence. Getting approval does not cancel that offence, but councils generally prefer owners who come forward to fix things. An approved structure is also much easier to sell, insure and finance.