Building permits in WA
WA building permit essentials: certified vs uncertified path, fees, timeframes, and the full step-by-step process under the Building Act 2011.
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In Western Australia, every structural building project needs a building permit before work starts. The permit is issued under the Building Act 2011 (WA) by the local government permit authority.
WA splits building approvals into two sequential stages: a planning stage (development approval, or DA) and a building permit stage. For most standard single houses on residential-zoned lots, the DA stage is skipped under the R-Codes deemed-to-comply provisions, and builders go straight to the building permit.
The full step-by-step process, fee schedule, document checklist, and common holds are covered in detail at:
Planning and building approvals in WA, step-by-step
That article covers:
- When a development approval (DA) is and is not required
- Certified Application (BA1 + BA3) vs Uncertified Application (BA2): what each involves and how long each takes
- Permit fees: 0.19% (certified) or 0.32% (uncertified) of estimated works value, minimum $110
- Building Services Levy: 0.137% on work over $45,000
- Mandatory inspections and hold points
- Certificate of Construction Compliance (BA17) and occupancy permit (BA9)
- Common delays and how to avoid them
If you landed here looking for the building permit process in WA, that is the right page.