Building services
The City’s building services team actively engages with the construction industry to ensure the City’s built environment is transformed in line with the legislative standards and maintained appropriately to help promote the health and safety of the community.
The team can assist you with submitting an application for :
- building permits
- certificate of design compliance
- demolition permits
- front fences
- private swimming pools
- retaining walls
- strata titles.
Appointments may be necessary depending on the level of enquiry.
Applying for a building permit
The Building Act 2011 requires a certificate of design compliance (CDC) signed by a registered building surveyor to be obtained before a building permit can be issued. A registered building surveyor can be from the private sector, or a permit authority. The City of Fremantle is a permit authority, and can issue the CDC.
For residential (class 1 and 10) buildings you can apply for an uncertified building permit, and the City will complete the CDC as part of the building permit process, or; you can engage a private certifier to issue the CDC, and then apply for a certified building permit.
For commercial (class 2-9) buildings a CDC must be obtained, and a certified application submitted. You can engage the City of Fremantle to complete the CDC by completing an engagement form and submitting it with your plans and other documents and paying the CDC fee. Once the City has completed your CDC, you will be notified and you can submit your application for a building permit – certified on a BA1 form.
Alternatively you can engage a private certifier to issue the CDC, and then submit your application for a building permit – certified on a BA1 form.
For more information on submitting for a building permit and fees click here. For application forms and associated guides, and further information regarding the requirements of the Building Act 2011 and the Building Regulations 2012 visit the Building Commission website. For a full list of fees please refer to Schedule 2-Fees of the Building Regulations 2012.
Dividing fences
For information regarding dividing fences visit the Building Commission website.
Private swimming pools
If you own a private swimming pool in Western Australia you are required to provide a barrier that surrounds the pool or spa in accordance with Australian Standard AS 1926.1 - 1993 (incorporating Amendment No. 1 only) and part 3.9 of Volume 2 of the National Construction Code. The drowning of a child is not only tragic but it can also have legal implications for the pool owners.
If you wish to install a private swimming pool or spa, you must apply for a building permit for the pool/spa, and the barrier.
The City of Fremantle is required to inspect known swimming pools and spas at least once in every four years. The City inspects pools and spas on a three yearly cycle.
A pool or spa includes a blow up or portable above ground pool when it can contain water that is more than 300 mm deep.
Please refer to the Building Commission website for more information on the regulations and legislation that govern pools and spas in Western Australia.
Copies of building licence or permit plans
The City of Fremantle may be able to provide you with copies of building licence or permit plans for your property.
Please read the information in the fact sheet carefully before applying for copies of plans, as the fee is not refundable if no plans can be produced.