The Building Permit process regulates the construction and alteration of buildings by assessing proposed buildings, structures and alteration work against the requirements of the Building Code of Australia (BCA). A building permit is required before any building work can be carried out. A registered building surveyor is engaged by the applicant to certify compliance to the building standards by issuing a certificate of design compliance (CDC).
The Planning Approval process, also referred to as Development Approval (DA) regulates the use and development of land by assessing proposals against Council’s planning schemes and the State’s planning legislation. The planning approval process focuses particularly on the impact of a proposal on the site and neighbouring land. It addresses the following sorts of issues:
- Does it comply with planning scheme requirements?
- Will it cause overshadowing or loss of privacy to neighbours?
- Is it located an appropriate distance from boundaries?
- Is the scale and size appropriate for the area?
- Is there adequate car parking?
- Does it create any access or traffic safety issues?
- Are the hours of operation appropriate for the area?
- Are there any environmental constraints that need to be considered?
Many Perth Councils are able grant Planning Approval as part of issuing a Building Permit, however you should always check with your Local Council before preparing working drawings as this generally only for proposals that are fully compliant with planning requirements. If you are unsure or not confident your application complies with planning requirements, seek professional advice prior to submitting for approval.