General Building Information
The following information is based on the WA Building Act 2011, and Building Regulations 2012.

Building Permit
A Building Permit is required for most building work including work such as garages, sheds, carports, verandahs, swimming pools and fencing within the street frontage. No addition, alteration or new building can commence until a Building Permit has been issued by the City.

Forms
All building work application forms are available from the WA Building Commission website. Link to Building Application Forms See below for guides to the certified and uncertified building permits.

Fees and Levies:
Fees and levies are regulated by WA State Legislation. City fees are prescribed annually for other building surveyor services. See the Building applications fees information sheet below. To make a payment using a credit card, please click on the following link: Credit Card Authorisation Form

Builders and Owner builders
Any building work greater than $20,000 in value, requires a Registered Builder, or an approved owner/builder, to be the nominated person/s whom will be issued a building permit. Owner/Builders must apply to the WA Building Commission for a licence to be an owner builder, prior to submitting an application for a building permit. Go to http://www.buildingcommission.wa.gov.au

Building in bushfire prone areas – AS3959
The City of Busselton has been declared bush fire prone, and bush fire hazard maps [go to Online_mapping] indicate whether an assessment is required prior to submitting a building permit. Dwellings are required to be built to a minimum standard. Find an assessor here [Bushfire Consultants] and see the information sheets below.

Energy Efficiency
In 2003 the Federal Govt introduced minimum energy efficiency levels in the building code to make our homes more comfortable and affordable to live in. The current standard is known as 6 star under the House Energy Rating Scheme (HERS), and applies to all new dwellings. Energy efficiency minimum standards are also set for housing additions, and commercial buildings. Go to http://www.buildingcommission.wa.gov.au and search energy efficiency. A useful guide to good design and energy efficiency is at http://www.yourhome.gov.au/technical/index.html, and accredited assessors can be found at http://www.absa.net.au

Dial Before you Dig   1100
If you need to find the location of any services, INCLUDING Local Govt. infrastructure stormwater connection points, water and sewer, power, Telstra services, etc. phone 1100, or go to http://www.1100.com.au  and log in.

Sewered Sites:
Proposed buildings on sewered lots are required to be assessed by the Water Corporation prior to commencement of any works. This needs to be submitted by the builder directly to Water Corporation, and is not required by the City Building Services.

Non-Sewered Sites:
Proposed buildings requiring an on-site sewer system must have an application submitted to the City Environmental Health Officer (EHO) prior to a building permit application being submitted.
An on-site sewer system needs to be approved before a building permit can be issued.

Crossovers:
A crossover is the portion of the driveway from a property that crosses over the verge and adjoins the road. Property owners may be entitled to a contribution from the City towards the construction cost of a standard crossover. To be entitled to the contribution, the constructed crossover must meet the specifications outlined in the City engineering standards - Section 4 - Vehicle Crossovers. Ongoing maintenance of the crossover is the responsibility of the owner.