Before your home can commence construction, your plans are sent to many different people for approval. This is to ensure your new home is built to a high standard and suits the neighbourhood.
The good news is that you don’t have to organise the approvals- your builder does it for you! But if you want to know more about what’s involved, read below to understand what building approvals are.
Developer Approval
Approved by: Land developer
Timeframe: Up to 2 weeks
Applies to: Selected estates only (check your land contract)
If you are building in a new estate in Perth, your plans and colour selections may need to be sent to your land developer for approval. The reason for this approval is to ensure quality and consistency in an estate. For example, beachside estates can require white and blue shades on your exterior. Estates closer to the hills can require more earthy tones and materials. You can read our blog What Are Design Guidelines for more in-depth examples.
Planning Approval
Approved by: Local council
Timeframe: Up to 90 days
Applies to: Selected blocks only (if home design deviates from existing zoning)
Planning approval is required if your home design goes against the zoning or planning schemes. It’s not so much about the design of the home, but how it sits on your block of land. For example, if it sits boundary to boundary instead of having a side setback. The good news is that if you’re building in a new estate, it is highly unlikely you will need planning approval. It is more common in infill areas and subdivided blocks. You can read What are R-Codes for more info about zoning across Perth.
Private Certification
Approved by: Private certifier
Timeframe: Around 2-3 weeks
Applies to: All homes
Every new home must be approved by a Private Certifier before a Build Permit can be issued. Here, the certifier will ensure that the technical details of your home meet the relevant requirements. One example is checking your slab thickness is suitable for your block’s soil classification.
Building Approval
Approved by: Local council
Timeframe: Up to 10 working days
Applies to: All homes
Your final plans will be sent to your local council so you can receive your Build Permit. This is given when your new home complies with the Building Codes of Australia and other applicable standards.
If your home has already received Planning Approval, you will still need to get Building Approval. While both approvals are authorised by the relevant local council, they are controlled by different legislation (so you can’t skip the queue 🙁).
There’s a lot of people that work on your home, from the sales consultant, the admin team, and the construction supervisor (not to mention all the trades!). So it’s important to choose a team that stays with you from signing the first document to receiving the keys.
