Building Permits, Applications and Forms
A building permit is required prior to commencing construction for most structures (residential, commercial or industrial) including but not limited to new works, additions, alterations, commercial fit outs and refurbishments, changes to ground levels, swimming pools, spas and pool barriers.
How to submit a Building Permit application
The preferred method of submission is by email.
Please send the completed application form, checklist, and all required supporting documents in PDF format to admin@eastfremantle.wa.gov.au.
Alternatively, applications may be lodged in person at the Town Hall, 135 Canning Highway, East Fremantle, during business hours, Monday to Friday, 8:30am-4:30pm.
Application for a Certified Building Permit (BA1)
A certified building permit application can be submitted for any type of building or structure.
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Mandatory: Certified applications are required for Class 2–9 buildings, such as apartments, shops, offices, warehouses, and factories.
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Optional: Certified applications may also be lodged for Class 1 buildings (residential houses) and Class 10 structures (sheds, swimming pools, patios).
For a certified application, you must first engage a private building surveyor. The surveyor will assess your plans and issue a Certificate of Design Compliance (CDC), which must then be submitted with your building permit application to the Town.
Once lodged, the Town will assess your certified application within 10 business days, in accordance with the Building Act 2011.
Application for a Certified Building Permit
Checklist - Certified Building Permit
Application for an Uncertified Building Permit (BA2)
An uncertified building permit application is lodged directly with the Town without a Certificate of Design Compliance (CDC).
Uncertified applications can only be used for:
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Class 1 buildings e.g. residential houses
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Class 10 structures (non-habitable) e.g. sheds, patios, pergolas, retaining walls, swimming pools
The Town is required under the Building Act 2011 to assess uncertified applications within 25 business days.
If additional details are needed, the Town will issue a formal request for further information. The applicant then has 21 business days to provide the requested documents. Failure to provide the requested information within the 21 day timeframe, the Town has the right to retain the application fee.
An uncertified application is submitted to the Town for assessment without a Certificate of Design Compliance (CDC).
Uncertified building permit application can be used for:
- Class 1 buildings e.g. residential houses
- Class 10 structures (non-inhabitable) e.g. sheds, patios, pergolas, retaining walls, swimming pools
The processing time is 25 business days to assess an uncertified building application as in accordance with the Building Act 2011.
If further information is required, a letter will be sent to the applicant requesting further information. The applicant will have 21 business days to provide the information.
Under the Building Act 2011, the Town has the right to refuse an application if all required information is not provided within the 21 day timeframe provided. The Town also has the right to retain the application fee.
Application for an Uncertified Building Permit
Checklist - Uncertified Building Permit
Demolition Permit (BA5)
A Demolition Permit is required for the demolition, dismantling or removal of a building or incidental structure. Some exemptions apply, so please contact the Regulatory Services team on 08 9339 9339 before lodging an application.
You may also require Development Approval if the demolition works are located in a heritage-protected plan.
There are health requirements that need to be complied with, particularly for removing asbestos and the decommissioning of septic tanks. Any removal of asbestos must be in accordance with the requirements of the Health (Asbestos) Regulations 1994.
Notify the relevant authorities prior to removal:
- Water Corporation
- Western Power
- Alinta Energy
- Telstra
- WorkSafe
All services are required to be disconnected prior to the issue of a Demolition Permit
To apply for a demolition permit, you need to submit the following:
- A completed Application for a Demolition Permit (BA5)
- Pay the BCITF levy if the demolition works exceed $20K (state levy) and prescribed application fee
- A scaled (min 1:200) site plan clearly indicating the building/s or section/s of the building/s to be demolished and the structures to be retained
- For partial demolitions, structural engineers certification is required that the remaining portion of the building will not be structurally compromised.
- WorkSafe Registration
- WorkSafe Asbestos removal licence (if required)
- A Pest Exterminators Certificate confirming rat baiting has been completed
- Proof of notification to WorkSafe
- If the demolition works is likely to encroach or adversely affect adjoining land, you will be required to notify and gain consent of the adjoining land owner(s) prior to demolition permit being granted and the work commencing.
Application for a Demolition Permit
Occupancy Permit
An Occupancy Permit is required before a building can be used or lived in. A copy of the permit must be displayed at or near the main entrance, clearly visible to occupants and visitors.
It is an offence under the Building Act 2011 to occupy a building without a valid permit. Significant penalties apply for non-compliance under the Act and the Building Regulations 2012.
When is an Occupancy Permit required?
An Occupancy Permit must be obtained from the Town before occupying a Class 2-9 building.
- To occupy a new building or a new part of an existing building
- To temporarily occupy an incomplete building
- To temporarily extend the use of an existing permit
- To occupy a building that has changed use or classification
- To authorise and occupy an unauthorised building (or part of one)
- To replace an existing permit with a new one
Before you apply:
The building must be completed with all services installed and working (e.g. electrical, fire, plumbing, mechanical). You may also need to provide specialist technical certificates. Please confirm requirements with your registered private building surveyor.
How to apply for an Occupancy Permit:
For new completed buildings:
- Form BA9 - Application for an occupancy permit
- Certificate of Construction Compliance (Form BA17) signed by a registered private building surveyor
- Evidence of approval from various authorities under written law as relevant to the building or incidental structure
- Prescribed fees (refer to fees schedule)
For existing authorised occupied buildings:
- Form BA9 - Application for occupancy permit
- Certificate of Building Compliance (BA18) from a registered private building surveyor, confirming that the existing building has been inspected and it complies with all applicable building standards it was approved under
- Prescribed fees (refer to fees schedule)
For existing un-authorised buildings:
To enable the Town to issue a retrospective Occupancy Permit, the following information must be submitted:
- Form BA9 - Application for occupancy permit
- Certificate of Building Compliance (BA18) from a registered private building surveyor, confirming that the existing building has been inspected and it complies with all applicable building standards it was approved under
- Prescribed fees (refer to fees schedule)
The Town has 10 business days to process an Occupancy Permit application. If further information is required, a request for further information will be sent to the applicant. The applicant has 21 business days to provide the information. During this time, the application will be placed on hold. If the information is not supplied within 21 days, the Town may refuse the application and retain the application fee.
BA9 Application For Occupancy Permit
Infrastructure Bonds
What is an infrastructure bond:
To support public safety and protect community assets, the Town requires property owners or builders to pay an infrastructure bond when lodging a building or demolition permit application. This bond serves as security against potential damage to roads, footpaths, kerbs, and drains during construction.
How much bond is required:
- $1,500 bond for value of works under $20,000
- $3,000 bond for value of works between $20,001 - $100,000
- $5,000 bond for value of works between $100,001 - $2 million or corner lot properties
- $5,000 bond for Demolition permits
- $2 million or over - Price based on replacement costs of adjacent Council assets, calculated by Executive Manager Technical Services
How to apply for an infrastructure bond refund:
Prior to applying for a bond refund, all building or demolition works must be fully completed. If construction is ongoing and multiple bonds are held, a bond inspection fee will apply to the applicant for the Town to carry out a post-works inspection.
To be eligible for a refund:
- The verge must be reinstated to its original condition and left clean and tidy
- A completed BA7 Notice of Completion and Bond Refund Form must be submitted to the Town by email
A site inspection will be undertaken by the Town pre and post works commencing. Subject to approval, the bond is refundable upon completion of works and restoration of Town property, including construction of a crossover, modifications to an existing crossover and verge clean-up. If any works have been made to the crossover without prior approval from the Town, the request for a bond refund will be placed on hold pending rectification.
Processing time:
A bond refund will take up to 5 weeks to process and for the money to be returned to the nominated bank account.
Infrastructure Bond Refund Request
Construction Management Plan
The Town may require a Construction Management Plan (CMP) to be submitted for small-scale developments, including but not limited to the installation of pools, patios or fencing. While these works may seem minor, they can still have a significant impact on neighbours and shared spaces - especially within strata properties or densely built environments. Small- or large-scale construction is to be carried out safely, efficiently and with minimal disruption to the surrounding area.
A CMP is required to demonstrate how:
- construction vehicle access, parking, and deliveries will be managed
- waste, soil, and materials will be contained on-site
- impacts such as noise, dust, and vibration will be minimised
- verge trees, footpaths, and other council assets will be protected
- traffic and pedestrian safety
- protection of council assets including verges, street trees and footpaths
A CMP may be required as a condition of your development approval (planning), or as part of the building permit conditions.
If you are unsure whether this applies to your project, we recommend contacting the Regulatory Services team on 08 9339 9339 prior to lodging your application.
Traffic Management Plan
Where construction activities involve the use of cranes, equipment, or other large vehicles that may occupy or impact a road, verge, or footpath, the Town may require a Traffic Management Plan (TMP).
A TMP is required to demonstrate how:
- how vehicles enter, exit and operate around the site to ensure public safety is maintained
- traffic disruption, particularly on narrow streets, busy roads, cul-de-sac and no through road's will be reduced
- ensuring clear and safe pathways are managed to protect pedestrians and cyclists
- prevention of damage to kerbs, footpaths, verges and public assets caused by heavy vehicles
A TMP may be required as a condition of your development approval (planning), or as part of the building permit conditions.
If you are unsure whether this applies to your project, we recommend contacting the Regulatory Services team on 08 9339 9339 prior to lodging your application.
BA7 Notice of Completion
The responsible person (the builder or demolition contractor named on the permit) must submit a Notice of Completion within seven (7) days of the completion or partial completion of building or demolition works.
BA7 Notice of Completion
Application to extend time of a permit
Building and demolition permits are valid for two years, unless otherwise stated on the permit, and the work must be completed within that time. If work has been substantially commenced but not completed when the permit expires, the Town may consider an application to extend the time on the permit.
Please note that submission of an extension application does not guarantee approval.
The City may consider an application to extend the time (if required) for an Occupancy Permit or Building Approval Certificate.
Please complete the relevant application form and submit by email to admin@eastfremantle.wa.gov.au
BA22 Application to extend time - building or demolition permit
BA23 Application to extend time - occupancy permit or building approval certificate
Cancelling a building permit
A nominated builder or contractor can submit a BA8 for incomplete works. A BA8 identifies at what stage the building works have ceased. The person named as the builder or demolition contractor remains liable for the building or demolition complying with the Building Act until a notice of cessation or a notice of completion is issued.
A BA8 can be submitted by email to admin@eastfremantle.wa.gov.au.
BA8 Notice Of Cessation
Materials on Verge Permit
Where onsite space is limited due to lot size or building design, a verge permit may be requested for use during building, demolition, or development works, subject to approval by the Town. Sheds and toilets are not permitted on the verge.
Please note that if sufficient space is available onsite within the property boundaries, either at the front or rear, the Town may decline the request for a verge permit.
Subject to the Town’s approval, a tree protection zone must be established to safeguard the verge tree’s root system. The applicant is required to demonstrate this in their application.
Please complete the online application form by clicking on the link below.
Application To Place Materials On Verge Permit
Skip Bin Permit
A skip bin can be temporary located on the verge area and/or carriageways for a maximum of four weeks, subject to the Town's approval.
An application form must be submitted to Ranger Services, a minimum of seven days before the proposed placement on public property.
Please allow up to seven days to process your application. Once approved, the Town will contact you to arrange payment.
Extend a Skip Bin Permit (maximum of 14 days only)
If you require a skip bin for longer than four weeks, you may apply for an extension of the permit for up to 14 days. This will only be considered if the application is submitted on or before the expiry date of the existing permit. Approval will also be subject to prevailing conditions and any prior applications.
If the extension application is not received by the expiry date, a new application must be submitted, and the full application fee will apply. Please refer to the Town’s Schedule of Fees and Charges for details.
Skip Bin Permit Application Form
Skip Bin Extension Application Form
Sea Container Placement Permit
A sea container can be temporarily located on the verge of a property, subject to the Town's approval, for a maximum of 7 days.
Please note, the following conditions apply:
- Approval required from the Town prior to a Sea Container being delivered on site
- The footpath is to be kept clear at all times.
- Right of way and line of sight to neighbouring properties is to be kept clear at all times.
- Carriageway and verge area to be cleaned of all debris upon removal of the skip bin.
Sea Container Placement Permit Application