Do I need a Building Permit? 

A building permit is required prior to commencing construction for most structures, including works for, but not limited to: 

• New building work,  

• Additions and alterations,  

• Commercial fitouts and refurbishments,  

• Changes to ground levels.  

Generally, where proposed works have a construction value of $20,000 or more, a building permit must be granted to a registered builder or owner-builder. For further information about applying for an owner-builder’s licence, please visit the Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DEMIRS) website. 

The types of structures that usually require a building permit are: 

• Residence or dwelling, including ancillary accommodation (commonly known as a ‘granny flat’). 

• Patios, Sheds, Carports, Garages, Pergolas and Shade Sails (some exemptions may apply). 

• Earthworks, retaining walls and some types of fencing.  

• Water tanks larger than 5000 litres. 

• Swimming pools and spas, including portable pools that hold more than 300mm of water. 

• Converting an existing structure, such as garage, shed or alfresco, into a habitable room. 

• Re-roofing an existing dwelling. 

• Commercial buildings. 

• Solar panels for commercial buildings or free-standing panels. 

For further information regarding what type of building work and structures require a permit, please visit ‘What Can I Build?’. 

Types of Building Permit Applications

There are two types of building permit applications, “certified” and “uncertified”. 

Certified Building Permit Application

A certified building permit application must be accompanied by a Certificate of Design Compliance BA3 Form (CDC) issued by a registered, independent building surveyor. A CDC certifies a proposed building complies with the relevant building standards. The applicant is responsible for engaging a private building surveyor prior to submitting a certified building application. 

A certified building application is:

• Submitted with a Certificate of Design Compliance.

• Mandatory for Class 2 – 9 commercial structures, however, can be used for all structure classes.

• Reviewed by a building surveyor employed at the City.

• Completed within 10 business days, unless further information is required.

Uncertified Building Permit Application

An uncertified building permit application is submitted without a CDC. A Building Surveyor employed by the City of Armadale, who assesses the application for compliance with the relevant building standards, is responsible for issuing a CDC as part of the application process. 

An uncertified building application is:

• Submitted without a Certificate of Design Compliance.

• Can be used for residential Class 1 & 10 buildings, this includes a dwelling, patio, shed or the like.

• Cannot be used for commercial Class 2 - 9 buildings.

• Is assessed by a building surveyor employed at the City.

• Completed within 25 business days, unless further information is required.

Important note:

• Where the City requests further information for an application, the information must be received within 21 calendar days.

• If requested information is not received an application may be refused, however, the Building Services' team will work with applicants to avoid refusing an application wherever possible.

Application Requirements

• To determine the supporting documentation needed for your building permit application, refer to the relevant Building Information Sheet & Checklist for the type of structure you want to build on the What Can I Build? webpage.

• Complete the relevant Building Act application form:

  • BA1 - Application for Building Permit - Certified or 

  • BA2 - Application for Building Permit - Uncertified

Application Fees and Levies

• Application fees and levies are outlined in Building Information Sheet - Fees & Charges. 

• Further information regarding the Building Services Levy can be found on the WA Government website. 

• A Construction Training Fund (CTF) levy is applicable to building and demolition work valued at $20,000 or more. 

• The CTF levy is payable direct to the Construction Training Fund via their online payment portal. 

• For further information and to submit your CTF levy payment, please visit the Construction Training Fund.

Lodging an Application

• All applications can be emailed to info@armadale.wa.gov.au. 

• Payment must be made when your application is lodged. 

• A Building Services officer will contact you for credit card details via phone for fee payment. 

• Please do not enclose credit card information with emailed applications for security reasons. 

• Alternatively, you can submit your application in person at the City's Administration office located at 7 Orchard Avenue Armadale or via Australia Post.

For further information or assistance with your application, please contact Building Services via info@armadale.wa.gov.au or on 9394 5000.

New Swimming Pool or Spa Inspections - 30 days

• Once the installation of a new pool or spa is completed, the nominated builder on the associated building permit is required to submit a BA7 - Notice of Completion form to the City. 

• Upon the City receiving a completed BA7 form, a mandatory initial inspection must be scheduled within 30 calendar days to inspect the safety barrier, regardless of whether your barrier is temporary or permanent. 

• Permanent barriers that are deemed compliant will then be scheduled to be inspected once within every four year period. See the Four Yearly Inspection section further below for more information. 

• If your permanent barrier is deemed non-compliant, the City's Swimming Pool Inspector can provide you guidance on how to make your barrier compliant. A mandatory re-inspection will be scheduled within a 60 day time-frame.

Temporary Safety Barriers

• Temporary construction barriers must also remain compliant at all times with AS1926.1-2012. 

• Where a temporary safety barrier is still in place at the time of your initial inspection, if the Swimming Pool Inspector deems the temporary barrier non-compliant, a mandatory re-inspection will be scheduled within a 60 day time-frame. 

• If your temporary barrier is deemed compliant, a reinspection will be scheduled for when your permanent barrier is installed. 

Fees

• When a building permit for a new swimming pool or spa is granted for a swimming pool or spa, the City will write to property owners advising of inspection requirements and the associated fees. 

• Owners will also receive a payment advice outlining the fee required for a mandatory initial inspection.

• Current swimming pool inspection fees are outlined in the Building Information Sheet - Fees & Charges.

Four Yearly Inspections

• The City has a legislative obligation under the Building Regulations 2012, to inspect all swimming pool and spa safety barriers once within every 4 year period, to confirm compliance with the applicable standards. 

• The City will notify property owners in writing when their inspection is due.

• If a swimming pool or spa is accessible, the City's Swimming Pool Inspector is authorised to enter properties to conduct an inspection.

• To ensure every property is inspected within the mandatory four yearly time-frame, the City schedules inspection earlier than the four year due date. 

Fees

• As per the Building Regulations 2012, the City charges property owners a 'Pool Inspection Levy' to cover the cost conducting mandatory inspections.

• The four yearly Pool Inspection Levy is charged annually via your rates notice.

• Should your barrier be deemed non-compliant, re-inspections are included in the Pool Inspection Levy. 

• Current swimming pool inspection fees are outlined in the Building Information Sheet - Fees & Charges.

Non-compliant Safety Barrier Inspections - 60 days

• If your safety barrier is deemed non-compliant by the City's Swimming Pool Inspector, a mandatory re-inspection will be arranged within 60 calendar days. 

• You will be provided with an inspection report, outlining any specific non-compliant issues that need to be rectified.

• The Swimming Pool Inspector can provide you with guidance on how to make your barrier compliant. 

• Re-inspections must be conducted once within every 60 days until your barrier is deemed compliant.

• If you're unable to make your barrier compliant after multiple re-inspections, the Swimming Pool Inspector may refer your barrier's non-compliance issue(s) to the Building Compliance team for further investigation.

• Once your barrier is deemed compliant, your barrier will be scheduled for a mandatory four yearly inspection. For further information, please see the  Four Yearly Inspections section above. 

Fees

• Should your barrier be deemed non-compliant, re-inspections are included in the 'Pool Inspection Levy' charged annually via your rates notice. 

• The City will guide property owners on how to make their barrier compliant to avoid issuing an infringement.

• In cases where multiple re-inspections have been conducted and compliance has still not been met, the City's Building Compliance team may issue an infringement under the Building Regulations 2012.

Demolition Permit Application

Demolition work means to demolish or remove any major building or structure, either entirely or partly, such as a house, large shed or the like. Freestanding Class 10 residential structures 40m2 or less in size, such as sheds or patios, may be exempt from requiring a demolition permit. 

Structures built before 1990 may contain asbestos. A licenced Demolition Contractor is required to remove 10m2 or more of asbestos. 

In these circumstances, a completed Demolition Application Asbestos Declaration form must be submitted with your demolition application. For further information regarding how to remove asbestos safely, please visit the City's Asbestos Disposal webpage.

Application Requirements

• Review the application checklist included in the Building Information Sheet - Demolition Permit Applicatio.

• Complete a BA5 - Application for Demolition Permit form.

Application Fees and Levies

• Application fees and levies are outlined in Building Information Sheet - Fees & Charges.

• Further information regarding the Building Services Levy can be found on the WA Government website.

• A Construction Training Fund (CTF) levy is applicable to building and demolition work valued at $20,000 or more.

• The CTF levy is payable direct to the Construction Training Fund via their online payment portal.

• For further information and to submit your CTF levy payment, please visit the Construction Training Fund.

Lodging an Application

• All applications can be emailed to info@armadale.wa.gov.au.

• Payment must be made when your application is lodged.

• A Building Services officer will contact you for credit card details via phone for fee payment.

• Please do not enclose credit card information with emailed applications for security reasons.

• Alternatively, you can submit your application in person at the City's Administration office located at 7 Orchard Avenue Armadale or via Australia Post.

For further information or assistance with your application, please contact Building Services via info@armadale.wa.gov.au or on 9394 5000.