If you plan to use your property as a holiday home or for short-stay accommodation, find out what approvals may be required and how to prepare your application.
Definitions
Holiday accommodation: Short-term temporary holiday accommodation provided at a holiday home for not more than six occupants (excluding permanent residents), either continuously or from time to time, with no occupant accommodated for periods totalling more than three months in any 12-month period.
Holiday house: A single house which is used for holiday accommodation (but does not include a bed and breakfast, guesthouse or chalet).
Short Term Rental Accommodation (STRA): Renting out a dwelling, or part of a dwelling, that is provided on a commercial basis for temporary accommodation. STRA may include hosted STRA (the host lives on the property during the stay) or unhosted STRA (guests have exclusive use of the entire dwelling).
Development (Planning) Approval: Approval confirming that your proposal complies with applicable zoning and planning requirements.
Requirements
Approval requirements depend on whether the proposal is exempt from Development (Planning) Approval under State planning regulations.
Planning approval: Development (Planning) Approval is required unless the proposed use is a P (Permitted) use under the City’s Local Planning Scheme, or exempt under the Planning and Development (Local Planning Schemes) Regulations 2015.
Registration: Registration of Short Term Rental Accommodation is required for all properties regardless of whether planning approval is required or not. The register is administered by the Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety
Building approval: A Building Permit may be required for structural building works or alterations.
Health approval: If food is provided to guests, you must register as a food business. To find out more about health approvals visit the Food Businesses page.
Swimming pool approval: Approval may also be required if guests have access to a swimming pool. To find out more visit the Aquatic facilities at temporary, short stay or holiday accommodations (WA Department of Health).
How to apply
All providers of short term rental accommodation within Western Australia must register their property within the Short Term Rental Accommodation register.
Development (Planning) Approval is required for STRA unless the proposed use is a P (Permitted) use under the City’s Local Planning Scheme or meets the exemption criteria in the Planning and Development (Local Planning Schemes) Regulations 2015 in Schedule 2. To check zoning and land use permissibility, use the City’s online mapping.
Visit the Development (Planning) Approval page for details on how to lodge your application, fees and assessment timeframes.
Documents to prepare and submit
All development applications must be accompanied by a completed checklist. Incomplete applications will not be accepted and will be returned to the applicant with a list of outstanding items.
Download, complete and sign the Development (planning) Application Checklist – Unhosted Short-Term Rental Accommodation (PDF) (see below).
How to submit your application
To apply, choose your preferred method below and remember to submit your supporting documents along with the application form:
- Option 1 – Apply online (preferred): Apply through the online lodgement portal.
- Option 2 – In person: Download and complete the Application Form PDF (see below), then submit it with all supporting documentation including the checklist at the City of Wanneroo Civic Centre, 23 Dundebar Road, Wanneroo. Business hours are Monday-Friday, 8.30am-5pm.
- Option 3 – By post: Download and complete the Application Form PDF (see below), then mail it with all supporting documentation including the checklist to City of Wanneroo, Locked Bag 1, Wanneroo WA 6946.
Fees
Planning assessment timeframes
- Up to 60 days for most applications
- Up to 90 days if consultation with the public or other public authority is required.
The assessment period commences once the City has received and accepted a complete application, including all required plans, supporting information and application fees.
Development (Planning) Approval, where required, must be issued before a Building Permit can be obtained.
DA Checklist - Change of Use to Unhosted Short-Term Rental Accommodation (PDF) Application for Development (Planning) Approval (PDF)
