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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Frequently Asked Questions</h2>

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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Frequently Asked Questions</h2>

<a href="https://cdn.bunbury.wa.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Exempted-Building-Permits.pdf">Exempted Building Permits</a>

What is Exempt from a Building Permit?

Dividing fences are managed under the Dividing Fences Act 1961, which sets out the requirements and allowances when constructing or repairing a dividing fence. Please note that the Dividing Fences Act 1961 does not grant any power to the local government, therefore the City cannot assist in dividing fence matters, other than issuing permits.
The City of Bunbury does not have a Local Law pertaining to Dividing Fences.
For more information on how to resolve matters, visit the Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety (LGIRS) website here <a href="https://www.wa.gov.au/government/multi-step-guides/dividing-fences">Dividing fences</a>
 
<a href="https://www.wa.gov.au/system/files/2026-04/r-codes-volume-1-10-april-2026.pdf">R-Codes Volume 1 2024 Mar2024</a>
<a href="https://www.commerce.wa.gov.au/building-and-energy/dividing-fence-matters-overview">For more information &#8211; Dividing Fence Matters &#8211; Overview</a>

<a href="https://cdn.bunbury.wa.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Dividing-Fences-Act-1961.pdf">Dividing Fences Act 1961</a>

Dividing Fence Disputes

It is an offence under the Building Act 2011 to undertake building work without first obtaining a Building Permit, unless the building works are exempt from a requirement under the Building Regulations 20212.
If you have completed building work without prior approval or recently purchased a property with unauthorised structures, you may be able to submit an application to obtain Retrospective Approval from the City.
How to Apply for Retrospective Approval? 
If you wish to apply for Retrospective Approval, you will need to engage in an Independent Building Surveyor who will issue a BA18 Certificate of Construction Compliance. You will then submit the Certificate of Construction Compliance together with a BA13 Application Form to the City for assessment. 
<a href="https://www.bunbury.wa.gov.au/building-and-planning-services/building-services/building-application-forms">How to Lodge a Building Permit Application</a>

Unauthorised Building Works

A Demolition Permit is required for the removal of most structures 40m2 or more in size. Some Class 10, freestanding, residential structures such as sheds or patios may be exempt from needing a permit. A licensed demolition contractor is required to remove 10m2 or more of asbestos.
For more information regarding demolition works and to find a licensed demolition contractor, see more on the WorkSafe website here <a href="https://www.worksafe.wa.gov.au/demolition-0">Demolition &#8211; WorkSafe – LGIRS</a>
How to Apply for a Demolition Permit? 
Please lodge a BA5 Application Form along with the below;
<ul>
<li>Site plan outlining the proposed structure/s to be demolished</li>
<li>Confirmation of services disconnection (electricity, power &amp; gas) if applicable</li>
<li>Rodent Treatment Certificate either through the City or a Private Pest Exterminator</li>
<li>Or Demolition Schedule of Works</li>
<li>A licensed demolition contractor is required for all works $20,000 or more<a href="https://cdn.bunbury.wa.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Demolition-Schedule-of-Works.pdf">Demolition Schedule of Works</a> 
<a href="https://cdn.bunbury.wa.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Rodent-Treatment-Certificate-Application.pdf">Rodent Treatment Certificate Application</a></li>
</ul>
<a href="https://www.bunbury.wa.gov.au/building-and-planning-services/building-services/building-application-forms">How to Lodge a Building Permit Application</a>
&nbsp;

Demolition Permit

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<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="917" src="https://cdn.bunbury.wa.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/crop-design-review-1024x917.jpg" alt="crop design review scaled" class="wp-image-7347" style="object-fit:cover;width:900px;height:400px" srcset="https://cdn.bunbury.wa.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/crop-design-review-1024x917.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.bunbury.wa.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/crop-design-review-300x269.jpg 300w, https://cdn.bunbury.wa.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/crop-design-review-768x688.jpg 768w, https://cdn.bunbury.wa.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/crop-design-review-1536x1375.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.bunbury.wa.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/crop-design-review-2048x1834.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Frequently Asked Questions</h2>


{&#8220;name&#8221;:&#8221;acf\/accordion&#8221;,&#8221;anchor&#8221;:&#8221;&#8221;,&#8221;title&#8221;:&#8221;&#8221;,&#8221;accordions&#8221;:[{&#8220;title&#8221;:&#8221;What is Exempt from a Building Permit?&#8221;,&#8221;content&#8221;:&#8221;<a href=\"https:\/\/cdn.bunbury.wa.gov.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Exempted-Building-Permits.pdf\">Exempted Building Permits<\/a><\/p>\n&#8221;},{&#8220;title&#8221;:&#8221;Dividing Fence Disputes&#8221;,&#8221;content&#8221;:&#8221;<\/p>\nDividing fences are managed under the Dividing Fences Act 1961<\/em>, which sets out the requirements and allowances when constructing or repairing a dividing fence. Please note that the Dividing Fences Act 1961<\/em> does not grant any power to the local government, therefore the City cannot assist in dividing fence matters, other than issuing permits.<\/p>\nThe City of Bunbury does not have a Local Law pertaining to Dividing Fences.<\/p>\nFor more information on how to resolve matters, visit the Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety (LGIRS) website here <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wa.gov.au\/government\/multi-step-guides\/dividing-fences\">Dividing fences<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.wa.gov.au\/system\/files\/2026-04\/r-codes-volume-1-10-april-2026.pdf\">R-Codes Volume 1 2024 Mar2024<\/a><\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.commerce.wa.gov.au\/building-and-energy\/dividing-fence-matters-overview\">For more information &#8211; Dividing Fence Matters &#8211; Overview<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/cdn.bunbury.wa.gov.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Dividing-Fences-Act-1961.pdf\">Dividing Fences Act 1961<\/a><\/p>\n&#8221;},{&#8220;title&#8221;:&#8221;Unauthorised Building Works&#8221;,&#8221;content&#8221;:&#8221;It is an offence under the\u00a0Building Act 2011\u00a0<\/em>to undertake building work without first obtaining a Building Permit, unless the building works are exempt from a requirement under the Building Regulations 20212.<\/em><\/p>\nIf you have completed building work without prior approval or recently purchased a property with unauthorised structures, you may be able to submit an application to obtain Retrospective Approval from the City.<\/p>\nHow to Apply for Retrospective Approval?<\/strong> \nIf you wish to apply for Retrospective Approval, you will need to engage in an Independent Building Surveyor who will issue a BA18 Certificate of Construction Compliance. You will then submit the Certificate of Construction Compliance together with a BA13 Application Form to the City for assessment. \n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bunbury.wa.gov.au\/building-and-planning-services\/building-services\/building-application-forms\">How to Lodge a Building Permit Application<\/a><\/p>\n&#8221;},{&#8220;title&#8221;:&#8221;Demolition Permit&#8221;,&#8221;content&#8221;:&#8221;A Demolition Permit is required for the removal of most structures 40m2 or more in size. Some Class 10, freestanding, residential structures such as sheds or patios may be exempt from needing a permit. A licensed demolition contractor is required to remove 10m2 or more of asbestos.<\/p>\nFor more information regarding demolition works and to find a licensed demolition contractor, see more on the WorkSafe website here <a href=\"https:\/\/www.worksafe.wa.gov.au\/demolition-0\">Demolition &#8211; WorkSafe \u2013 LGIRS<\/a><\/p>\nHow to Apply for a Demolition Permit? \n<\/strong>Please lodge a BA5 Application Form along with the below;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Site plan outlining the proposed structure\/s to be demolished<\/li>\n<li>Confirmation of services disconnection (electricity, power &amp; gas) if applicable<\/li>\n<li>Rodent Treatment Certificate either through the City or a Private Pest Exterminator<\/li>\n<li>Or Demolition Schedule of Works<\/li>\n<li>A licensed demolition contractor is required for all works $20,000 or more<a href=\"https:\/\/cdn.bunbury.wa.gov.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Demolition-Schedule-of-Works.pdf\">Demolition Schedule of Works<\/a> \n<a href=\"https:\/\/cdn.bunbury.wa.gov.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Rodent-Treatment-Certificate-Application.pdf\">Rodent Treatment Certificate Application<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bunbury.wa.gov.au\/building-and-planning-services\/building-services\/building-application-forms\">How to Lodge a Building Permit Application<\/a><\/p>\n&nbsp;<\/p>\n&#8221;}]}


<h2 class="wp-block-heading"></h2>

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Building Services