Lodging a Building Permit Application

Overview

A building application is required for nearly all buildings and structures to be erected (click here for a detailed list), with the exception of the items listed in Schedule 4, Part 2 of the Building Regulations 2012. Note that Demolition Applications, Building Approval Certificates and other building form submissions follow the same submission process as written below.

Note that:

• For a certified or uncertified building application, you must include a stormwater management plan and details. Information about stormwater management can be found on the stormwater information sheet on our Information Sheets page.
• More details on the information that is required on the plans to include with your application is available here.
• Applications with a project value of over $20,000 will require a payment receipt for the Construction Training Fund (CTF) Levy (paid online) and the completion of an Infrastructure Bond Application Form (see Part B below). Both of these items will need to be included with your application.

 

Application Appointments - to review your application (optional)

If you wish to have your application reviewed by the Shire's Senior Building Surveyor or require assistance with preparing your application, it is strongly advised that you schedule an appointment to meet and discuss your application prior to visiting our administration building.

You can contact our Building Services Department on (08) 9622 6100 or by emailing [email protected] and addressing your email to 'Building Services' in the subject line.

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Step 1: Preparing your application

A building application to be submitted to the Shire of Northam will require an application checklist, an application form, and all items required on the application checklist (including plans, technical drawings, etc). Refer to the application sets below for the forms relevant for your application.

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Part A: Documents required for all applications

Choose the application set below that is suitable for your application:

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CERTIFIED Building Applications

Use this application set only if you already have been issued a Certificate of Design Compliance (CDC) by a Private Building Certifier.

Set 1 - All Certified Applications - You must have a CDC issued to you prior to lodgement of this application type.

• BA1 Certified Building Application Checklist
• BA1 Certified Building Application Form

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UNCERTIFIED Building Applications

Applies to most applicants, where you yourself are the builder, or you have not used a Private Building Certifier. If you require assistance in confirming your application type, please contact our Building Department.

Set 2 - Dwellings - For building residential houses, granny flats, internal house renovations, and other habitable Class 1 structures.

• BA2 Uncertified Dwelling Application Checklist
• BA2 Uncertified Building Application Form

Set 3 - Outbuildings - For residential sheds, carports, garages, water tanks, stables, fences and all other Class 10 structures.

• BA2 Uncertified Outbuildings Application Checklist
• BA2 Uncertified Building Application Form

Set 4 - Swimming Pools & Spas - For all residential swimming pools and spas. You are able to include your pool/spa fence on this same application.

• BA2 Uncertified Swimming Pool Application Checklist
• BA2 Uncertified Building Application Form

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DEMOLITION Applications

For all residential and commercial demolition projects.

Set 5 - All Demolition Applications

• BA5 Demolition Application Checklist
• BA5 Demolition Application Form

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OCCUPANCY Applications

To apply for an Occupancy Permit to be permitted to use and occupy a commercial (Class 2-9) structure.

Set 6 - All Occupancy Applications

• BA9 Occupancy Application Checklist
• BA9 Occupancy Permit Application Form

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BUILDING APPROVAL CERTIFICATE (BAC) Applications

To apply for retrospective approval for unauthorised structures (buildings constructed without a building permit).

Set 7 - All BAC Applications

• BA13 Building Approval Certificate Application Checklist
• BA13 Building Approval Certificate Application Form

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Other Application Forms & Notices

Not applicable to most applications - use the below form/notice if the accompanying description applies to your project:

Building Notice Forms

• Form BA8 Notice of Cessation - For changing the builder or demolition contractor on an existing permit.
• Form BA8A Notice of Cessation Multiple Properties - For changing the builder or demolition contractor on existing permits for multiple properties.
• Form BA20 Encroach or Affect Other Land - For applications with works/structures that enter into other property owners' lands.
• Form BA20A Request for Consent - For access to other property owners' land, or removal of a dividing fence or wall.

Building Application Forms

• Form BA19 Amend a Building Permit Application (click here for more information about when to use this form)
• Form BA22 Extend Time on an existing Building/Demolition Permit Application
• Form BA23 Extend Time on an existing Occupancy/Building Approval Certificate (BAC) Permit Application

 

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Part B: Applications for projects over $20,000

If your project is over $20,000, you will need the above Building Application Checklist and Application Form relevant for the type of your application, plus all of the following items:

1. Pay the Construction Training Fund (CTF) Levy - You will need to visit the CTF Portal online and pay the CTF levy (refer to the 'Payment of the Levy' section) at: https://ctf.wa.gov.au/industry/bcitf-levy/. Your receipt (usually emailed to you) will need to be submitted with your building application to the Shire.
2. Complete an Infrastructure Bond Application Form - A refundable bond aimed to help protect Shire infrastructure (roads, kerbs, etc) required for large projects. Conditions and requirements are listed in the application form.
3. Provide Pre-Construction Site Photos – As part of point 2 above, you are required to provide pre-construction photos as part of your Infrastructure Bond Application to be submitted with your building application. A general guide is to supply photos from various angles (left, right, and front views) which show the driveway/crossover, verge area, and the road (including any kerbs). Additional photos may be required for some applications.

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Part C: Fees and Charges

Building applications to the Shire of Northam (as of the 2023-24 Financial Year) usually have an application fee starting at $171.65. Applications for larger projects (over the value of $20,000), BAC applications, and other special application types, may have higher application fees.

Additionally, if you have completed an Infrastructure Bond Application Form (from Part B above), the following additional fees and charges apply:

• Infrastructure Bond Admin Fee - $190.00
• Infrastructure Bonds: $1080.00 for a Residential Project, and $1620.00 for a Commercial Project.

Application fees can be calculated for you when we process your application. If you require information on the fees and charges that will apply to your application, you can calculate them from the information on the Building Application Fees & Charges page.

 

 

Step 2: Lodging your application

When you have checked to ensure all of the required documents are together and your application forms have been completed in full, your application can be submitted altogether to the Building Services Department. Note that incomplete applications will be rejected. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that all items required are included as per the Building Application Checklist.

 

Lodging Online

The Shire of Northam is keen to reduce paper wastage and other non-renewable resources, and encourages building permit applications to be submitted electronically. This is especially important when many documents make up the application.

Your fully completed application consisting of an:

1. Application form
2. Application checklist
3. All relevant plans and other documentation

should be emailed altogether and titled with the subject line ‘Building Application - [Your Address]’ to [email protected].

Note: Applications that are emailed (with payment details included on the checklist) can be processed faster. If you are unable to include all attachments in one email, attachments can be sent separately – emails should however be shown to be related by using the above subject line naming convention.

Applications may also be submitted via post or in person. Application fees must be paid in full before your application can be processed.

 

Step 3: Application assessment

Your Building Application will be reviewed by our Building, Planning and Health Departments as required. Applications can vary from several days to several weeks to receive your approved Building Permit. Building legislation states that Local Governments have 10 working days for the assessment of Certified Building Applications and 25 working days for Uncertified Building Applications.

Note:

• Insufficient information in your application will delay the assessment process. The applicant, owner, and/or builder will be notified in writing if additional information is required. As information is missing, your application will be placed on hold (assessment timeframes will be paused) until all of the required information is received and is deemed satisfactory.
• The Building Services Department begins its assessment of your application after a review has been completed from the Planning, and Health Departments as required. Each department has its own timeframes for application assessment, in accordance with legislation.

 

Step 4: Application outcome

The applicant, owner, and/or builder will be notified on the outcome of your building application. Successful applications result in a Building Permit which will be emailed and/or mailed to the party(s) listed on the application form. Your construction and/or demolition works which have been approved can then commence within the duration approved on your permit.

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Requirements upon completion of your project

Submit a Notice of Completion: Upon the completion of your building/demolition works, you are required to submit the BA7 Notice of Completion Form (issued with your original permit) to the Shire of Northam within seven (7) days of the completion of the works. Failure to submit this notice of completion attracts a penalty of up to $10,000. The Notice of Completion can be emailed to [email protected] with the subject title as 'Notice of Completion - Permit No. [Permit number] - [Property address]'.