The City of Armadale acknowledge the Traditional Owners and the Custodians of the land upon which we stand, work and play.
We acknowledge Aboriginal people as the First Peoples of this land and their connection to the lands and the waters, as they are part of them spiritually and culturally.
We acknowledge their ancestors, the Elders past and present, who have led the way for us to follow.
As a Permit Authority, the City of Armadale's Building Services Department controls the construction, occupation and demolition of buildings through granting of permits, and ensuring compliance requirements are met.
There are various permits, certificates or approvals that may be required before you commence any kind of building or demolition work on either a residential or commercial property. Approval may also be required to occupy a commercial building before any kind of trading commences.
Where the appropriate permit or approval has not been obtained prior to building or demolition work commencing, or occupying a commercial building, you may be required to obtain retrospective approval. You can apply for a building approval certificate to obtain retrospective approval for residential structures, or an occupancy permit for commercial structures.
To determine whether you require building, demolition or occupancy permit, or a building approval certificate please see the relevant detailed application sections below.
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:
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.
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.
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.
Occupancy Permit Application
An occupancy permit is required for Class 2 - 9 commercial buildings in the following circumstances, as per the Building Act 2011:
Occupying a newly completed building,
Occupying a partially incomplete building or building on a temporary basis,
Modifying a current occupancy permit for additional use of building on a temporary basis,
Occupying a building that requires a permanent change of use in any way,
Obtaining approval for unauthorised building work,
Replacing an existing occupancy permit or certificate of classification.
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.
Building Approval Certificate Application
A building approval certificate can be used to obtain approval for:
Unauthorised building work or
A building that was constructed in accordance with the relevant standards applicable at the time of construction, and on its completion could be occupied or used without an occupancy permit, certificate of classification or any other authority under written law.
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.
Amending a builder's details on a permit
An application can be submitted to change the nominated builder on a building permit in the following circumstances relating to the nominated builder:
Alternatively, you can submit your application in person at the City's Administration office located at 7 Orchard Avenue Armadale or via Australia Post.
Amending a building permit with design changes
If you wish to amend your previously granted building permit due to design changes, you will need to apply for an Amended Building Permit, as per the certified or uncertified building application process.
For further information regarding building application requirements, please see the Building Permit Application section above.
Amended Building Permit Application Fees and Levies
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.
Application to Extend Time of a Permit or Certificate
An application can be submitted to the City to request an extension to a previously approved:
Building Permit
Demolition Permit
Occupancy Permit
Building Approval Certificate
Generally, an application to extend time should be submitted before the original permit’s two-year expiration date.
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.
Certificates of Compliance
A Certificate of Compliance is required before a building permit, occupancy permit or building approval certificate can be granted. There are 3 types of Certificates of Compliance:
Certificate of Design Compliance (CDC): contains a statement from a registered building surveyor that a proposed building will comply with each applicable building standard.
Certificate of Construction Compliance (CCC): certifies a building has been constructed in accordance with a building permit and is required to obtain an occupancy permit.
Certificate of Building Compliance (CBC): is required to obtain approval to change a commercial building’s use or classification, or registering a strata title, approval of unauthorised work, or replacing an existing occupancy permit or building approval certificate.
The City of Armadale may be able to issue a Certificate of Compliance upon application and payment of the applicable application fee.
For further information or assistance with your application, please contact Building Services via info@armadale.wa.gov.au or on 9394 5000.
The Residential Design Codes (R-Codes) is a State Planning Policy. The R-Codes aim to enhance the amenity of the community. If a building's design doesn't meet the R-Codes, a variation can be applied for.
If your proposed building works do not meet the Residential Design Codes (R-Codes), you may submit an application to vary the R-codes, outlining justification for your proposed building work design.
Should your R-code variation application be approved, you will still need to apply for a building permit and have it approved prior to commencing any building work.
Neighbouring Properties
Where a proposed design impacts a neighbour, they may need to be consulted. Neighbour consultation occurs for a minimum of 14 calendar days, to allow time for neighbours to comment on the proposal. The City of Armadale can contact your neighbours on your behalf, or you may choose to contact them directly yourself.
The City of Armadale may be able to issue a Residential Design Code Variation approval, upon application and payment of the application fee. Minimum application requirements include:
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.
Notice Forms
Upon completing works as approved in your building or demolition permit, you will need to submit a Notice of Completion form. For detailed information, please see the Notice of Completion section below.
Notice of Completion - Completed Building or Demolition Work
The nominated builder or contractor on a building or demolition permit must submit a BA7 - Notice of Completion for completed works. This establishes the end date of the permit.
Important notes:
A completed BA7 form must detail:
Property address.
Date the works were completed.
Final construction value: this doesn’t include works not covered in the building permit, such as cosmetic works.
The nominated builder or contractor must sign the BA7 form.
The completed BA7 must be submitted within 7 days of completing the work.
It must include any relevant inspection or test certificates.
The nominated builder or contractor remains liable for the work until a BA7 has been submitted.
If a nominated builder or demolition contractor on a permit ceases to act as the responsible person on that permit, they can submit a Notice of Cessation form. For detailed information, please see the Notice of Cessation section below.
Notice of Cessation - Incomplete Building or Demolition Permit
A nominated builder or contractor can submit a BA8 - Notice of Cessation for incomplete works. A Notice of Cessation identifies at what stage building works have ceased.
Important notes:
A completed BA8 form must detail:
Property address.
Details of incomplete work.
Date the works were ceased.
Final construction value: this doesn’t include works not covered in the building permit, such as cosmetic works.
Details of work completed to date.
The nominated builder or contractor must sign the BA8 form.
The builder must submit a BA8 to the City within 7 days of works ceasing
The builder must provide a copy of the BA8 to the owner within 7 days.
