Shed building permits · Perth & WA
Shed building permits in Perth, done for you.
Most sheds over 10 m² need a building permit in Western Australia. We check your council's rules, draw the site plan, fill in the forms and lodge the application, so your shed goes up legally and on time.
- Fixed price up front
- Site plan drawn for you
- Every Perth council
Do I need one?
Do I need a permit for my shed?
In WA you need a building permit for a shed that is bigger than 10 m², taller than 2.4 m or attached to another building. Smaller freestanding sheds are usually exempt, but still have to meet planning rules.
- Garages always need a building permit.
- Sheds near a boundary or in a heritage area can need planning approval too.
- Large sheds on house lots are capped by the R-Codes (in summary, 60 m² or 10% of the lot, whichever is less) unless the council approves more.
Do I need a permit?
Answer a few quick questions. It takes about 20 seconds.
What goes in
What a shed permit application needs
This is the paperwork a WA council expects for a typical shed. We prepare or collect all of it.
| Document | What it shows | Who sorts it |
|---|---|---|
| Application form (BA1 or BA2) | BA2 is the standard route where council checks the plans. BA1 is faster and comes with a private surveyor's certificate. | Us |
| Site plan | The lot, boundaries, existing buildings, the shed's position and its distance to each boundary, usually at 1:200. | Us |
| Floor plan and elevations | Size, height, doors and wall heights. | Us, from your supplier's drawings |
| Engineering | Footings, frame and tie-down details for the wind rating at your address. | Your shed supplier, or an engineer we arrange |
| Owner's signature | Consent from every owner on the title. | You (we send it ready to sign) |
| Fees and levies | Council's fee and the state levies, based on the value of the work. | Paid at lodgement |
How it works
From backyard idea to approved shed
Send us the basics
Your address, the shed size and where it will go. A photo of the spot helps.
We prepare everything
Site plan, drawings and forms, checked against your council's setback and planning rules.
We lodge and follow up
We lodge it, answer council's questions and send you the permit when it is issued.
What does a shed permit cost in WA?
There are two parts. The first is the council's fee and the state levies. These are set by the Building Regulations and are worked out from the value of the shed. For a typical backyard shed they usually come to a few hundred dollars, because minimum fees apply.
The second is the cost of preparing the application: the site plan, drawings and forms. That is our fixed price, and it includes lodging and dealing with council until the permit is issued. If your job needs engineering or a private building surveyor, we include that in the quote too, so you see one total.
Building the shed before the permit
Don't. In WA it is an offence to build without a required permit, and fines can reach $50,000 for a first offence. Councils can also order changes or removal. If it is already up, see retrospective shed approval.
Guides
Shed permit guides
Do I need a permit for a shed?
The 10 m² rule, how to measure, and the planning rules that still apply.
Read more →Garage building permits
Why garages always need a permit, and when they need planning approval too.
Read more →Retrospective shed approval
Already built? How to get an existing shed approved.
Read more →Questions
Common questions
What size shed can I build without a permit in WA?
A freestanding shed with a floor area of 10 m² or less and a height of 2.4 m or less usually doesn't need a building permit. That is roughly a 3 m x 3.3 m shed. It still has to meet planning rules such as setbacks from the boundary and the street.
Does a Colorbond shed need a permit?
The material doesn't change the answer. A steel, timber or Colorbond shed follows the same rule: over 10 m², over 2.4 m tall or attached to another building means you need a building permit.
Can I build a shed on the boundary in WA?
Often, yes, but walls on or close to a boundary have to meet the R-Codes' limits for height and length. If your shed doesn't meet them, it needs planning approval and your neighbour may be asked for comments. We check this before anything is lodged.
Does a sea container need a permit?
Many Perth councils treat a sea container kept on a property as an outbuilding, and some require planning approval or a building permit, especially for longer than a few months. Rules differ a lot between councils, so check before you have one delivered.
How long does a shed permit take?
Once lodged, your council has up to 25 business days to decide a standard (uncertified) application, or 10 business days if it comes with a private building surveyor's certificate. Preparing the plans usually takes a few days.
My shed supplier says they can lodge it. Do I need you?
Some suppliers handle permits well. Many only supply the engineering and leave the site plan, forms and council to you. That is the part we do, and we often work alongside suppliers.
Your shed, approved without the runaround.
We prepare the site plan, fill in the forms, lodge with your council and answer their questions. You get on with choosing the colour.