Building and improving your home

Before lodging anything, it's worth doing some groundwork. There are a few ways to get the information you need:

• Check IntraMaps to find your zoning, Local Development Plans and Jetty Envelopes.
• Review the City's planning policies and schemes for any rules that apply to your property.
• Speak to a planning officer — call (08) 9550 3748 or email [email protected]
• Speak to a building surveyor — call (08) 9550 3749 or email [email protected]
• Request written advice or a pre-lodgement meeting via City of Mandurah Online under Planning Enquiries.
• Building a single house or extension? You can apply for a deemed-to-comply check (fee applies) to confirm whether development approval is required.

Not all projects require development approval - check the Do I Need Approval page first. If your project does need it, this step must be completed before you apply for a building permit.

Development approval assesses whether your project is appropriate for your property's zoning, location and any applicable planning policies.

Typical timeframes once a complete application is submitted:

• Standard applications: up to 60 days
• Applications requiring public consultation or agency referrals: up to 90 days

If your property is not connected to the sewer network, you'll need Health Services approval before installing, upgrading or relocating a wastewater system. This should be lodged before or at the same time as your building permit application.

Most projects require a building permit. If your project also needed development approval, you must have received approval before lodging your building permit application.

There are two types of building permit applications:

• Certified - you engage a private registered building surveyor to certify your plans before lodging. These are processed faster: 10 business days.
• Uncertified - the City's building surveyors assess your plans. These take up to 25 business days. Only buildings of Class 1 (houses) and Class 10 (eg. sheds, patios, retaining walls, pools) can be lodged as "uncertified".

Building permits are valid for two years from the date of issue.

Once works are finished, a Notice of Completion (BA7) must be lodged with the City within 7 days. In most cases your builder will take care of this on your behalf, but it's worth confirming with them before works are complete.