DEVELOPMENT APPROVAL 

What is the process of a Development Application?

Development approval also known as Planning Approval is a legal document that allows for a use of a development on a particular piece of land. Development approval is required to ensure that any use or development of land within the Shire of Carnarvon complies with the Schemes, Residential Design Codes, Policies and other relevant legislation.

What requires Development Approval? 

The following are the frequent categories of development that require Development Approval, though not limited to: 

Residential Development

  • Construction of a single house, ancillary dwelling or outbuilding (or additions to these buildings) where a deemed-to-comply requirement of the Residential Design Codes is not met and a ‘judgement of merit’ is required). Note, a single house, ancillary accommodation or outbuilding that meets all relevant deemed-to-comply requirements of the R-Codes is exempt from development approval.
  • Construction of or additions to grouped and multiple dwellings (e.g. units, townhouses, apartments).
  • Modification or demolition of a place that is listed on the State Register of Heritage Places, or Shire Heritage List, or where it is subject to an order under the Heritage of Western Australia Act 1990.

Short Term Rental Accommodation - STRA

What is STRA?

Short‑Term Rental Accommodation (STRA) is the use of a dwelling, or part of a dwelling, to provide temporary accommodation to guests for a short period in exchange for payment. STRA may be advertised or facilitated through online platforms or other booking arrangements.

STRA is generally categorised as either:

  • Hosted STRA – where the host resides on the premises during the guest stay; or
  • Unhosted STRA – where the entire dwelling is made available to guests and the host does not reside on site.

STRA Registration

Under the Short-Term Rental Accommodation Act 2024, all providers of STRA within Western Australia, both hosted and un-hosted, are required to register their property with the STRA Register.

  • Registration is mandatory
  • A registration number must be displayed on all advertisements
  • Registration must be renewed annually
  • Penalties apply for operating without registration

Link: Short-Term Rental Accommodation Register

Local Government (Shire) Approval

In addition to State registration, local planning approval may be required, particularly for unhosted STRA.

Local government assessment may consider:

  • Zoning of the property
  • Whether STRA is permitted or discretionary
  • Potential impacts on neighbouring properties
  • Parking, access, and waste management

Development Application (If required)

A Development Application (DA) may be required for unhosted STRA.

Typical application requirements include:

  • Application form and fee
  • Site plan and floor plan
  • Operational Management Plan (OMP)
  • Evidence of STRA State registration (or intention to register)

Operational Management Plan (OMP)

An OMP outlines how the STRA will be managed responsibly.

Common inclusions:

  • Maximum number of guests
  • Parking arrangements
  • Noise management measures
  • Waste and recycling arrangements
  • Fire safety provisions
  • Local contact person details

Example Template: Operational Management Plan

Building & Safety Requirements

STRA premises must comply with all relevant building, health and safety requirements, including but not limited to:

Responsibilities of STRA Hosts

Hosts are responsible for:

  • Ensuring compliance with State and local laws
  • Managing guest behaviour
  • Responding promptly to complaints or issues
  • Maintaining the property in a safe and clean condition

Failure to comply may result in fines, cancellation of approval, or removal from the STRA Register.

Related Document

Home-Based Business

Development approval is required for the use of a residential home for a home-based business could include, though not limited to:

  • Food - such as jams, sauces, other condiments, cakes (no cream). 
  • Bed and breakfast - one meal (breakfast) per day.
  • Family day care - food prepared in a residential kitchen for no more than six children
  • Hairdressing 
  • Beauty therapy

Development approvals for home-based businesses may require approval from the Shire of Carnarvon's Environmental Health team. 

Click here for the process map for obtaining development approval for a home-based business. 

Commercial and Industrial Development

  • Any construction work that affects the external appearance of a building or land. 
  • Any change of use of land or buildings from one use to another unless the new use is permitted in the zone. 
  • Commercial or industrial development on land declared bushfire-prone

Applying for Development Approval

Checklist

Before you submit your Development Application. Please refer to the checklists below to ensure you have all the details you are required to include in your Development Application. 

Development Application Checklist - New additions and alterations to existing dwelling

Development Application Checklist - Home based business

Application Form

To seek development approval, you are required to complete the Development Application Form.

To seek approval to operate a mobile business, you are required to complete the Mobile Trading Licence Application Form

Fees & Charges 

You can refer to the Fees and Charges here.

Currently Advertised Development Applications 


Details of the above proposal/s are available for inspection at the Shire of Carnarvon Administration Office, 3 Francis Street Carnarvon, and are also available by click on the documents in the above table.

Comments on the proposal may be submitted to the Shire of Carnarvon in writing on or before the “Comments Due Date” in the above table and should include:

  • the name and address of the person making the comments,
  • the property affected and
  • detailed comments.

Comments can be:

  • Emailed to: shire@carnarvon.wa.gov.au
  • Posted to: Shire of Carnarvon
                      PO Box 459, Carnarvon WA 6701
  • Lodged in person at the Shire administration office, 3 Francis Street, Carnarvon WA 6701

If you have any questions, please contact the Shire of Carnarvon at (08) 9941 0000.