Find out about planning approval requirements for short term rental accommodation in the shire.
Definitions
Short-Term Rental Accommodation (STRA):
Short-Term Rental Accommodation (STRA) means a dwelling that is rented out on a commercial basis for short stays.
STRA does not include:
- aged care facilities
- caravan parks
- lodging houses
- park home parks
- retirement villages
- workforce accommodation
(as defined under the relevant legislation)
Hosted Short-Term Rental Accommodation:
Hosted STRA means accommodation where the host lives on-site during the rental period.
This includes situations where:
- the owner or occupier lives in the same dwelling while it is being rented
- the owner or occupier lives in a main dwelling while renting out an ancillary dwelling on the same lot (or vice versa)
Unhosted Short-Term Rental Accommodation:
Unhosted STRA means accommodation where the host does not live on-site during the rental period.
It:
- is not classified as hosted STRA
- can accommodate up to 12 guests per night
Planning approval requirements
Planning approval is required if you intend to provide Unhosted Short Term Rental Accommodation to anyone for payment or reward.
You don’t need planning approval if you own the property but have a primary residence elsewhere and wish to use the dwelling for short stay use yourself. You may also allow friends to stay there provided there is no fee charged.
Planning applications for unhosted STRA will be assessed against the provisions of Local Planning Scheme No. 1 (LPS1) and the Shire’s Local Planning Policy.
Unless the Shire determines otherwise, any approval granted will be for a limited period of one year, renewable by way of further application towards the expiration of that period. If the Shire has received complaints regarding the short stay use, a further approval may not be granted.
The following outlines additional matters to consider prior to lodging an application for unhosted STRA.
Planning steps
To apply for planning approval, complete the application form and checklist below:
Application for Holiday Houses and Renewals (Unhosted) (PDF)
Holiday Houses including Renewals Information Sheet (PDF)
The checklist outlines the documentation that must be submitted with your application.
The application will be formerly lodged when all required documents are submitted to the satisfaction of the Shire and payment is received.
A fee is payable when applying for planning approval. This fee must be paid at the time of application.
A fee is payable for planning applications. This fee must be paid in order for the application to be formerly lodged and assessed.
Refer to Planning and Development Fees and Charges and Development Application Fee Calculator.
Ensure you submit your application with all the required documentation, as outlined in the checklist at the end of the application form.
You can submit your application via email to [email protected]
Digital copies are preferred however hard copy applications may be submitted via post or in person.
Once your application documents have been checked you will be emailed with payment options. Once payment is received the application is formerly lodged.
The statutory timeframe for development applications to be determined is 90 days if advertising is required, and 60 days if advertising is not required.
Additional requirements
If your property is not on reticulated sewer (deep sewer) you will be required to provide information with the application to demonstrate that the existing on-site wastewater management system can cope with the proposed number of guests.
This information is particularly important for a proposed holiday houses (large) on residential lots in locations such as Prevelly and Gracetown, where wastewater is managed onsite.
Find out more about effluent disposal.
You will be required to demonstrate the availability of safe drinking water on properties that are not connected to reticulated water.
The Shire’s view on STRA
The use of a dwelling for hosted STRA does not require development (planning) approval from the Shire.
The Shire’s position with respect to unhosted STRA is set out in the Local Planning Policy: Short Stay Accommodation Post Regulations (LPP7).
Separate registration is required from the State Government for both hosted and unhosted STRA and you can find more details about that at Short-Term Rental Accommodation Register.
More information and contact
For more information, please contact the Shire’s Planning Team on (08) 9780 5255 or email [email protected]