Unhosted Short-Term Rental Accommodation

Rent out my whole dwelling, unit or apartment to holiday makers

Unhosted Short-Term Rental Accommodation (STRA) is where guests have the exclusive use of an entire Dwelling and is defined under the Planning and Development (Local Planning Scheme) Regulations 2015 as follows:

Unhosted short-term rental accommodation means short-term rental accommodation that —

1. is not hosted short-term rental accommodation; and
2. accommodates a maximum of 12 people per night;

To operate an Unhosted STRA, the following approvals will be required via a two-step process.

1. Obtain development (planning) approval from the City - A development (planning) approval will be required to change the use of the Dwelling to Unhosted STRA

2. Register the STRA premises with Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety - Register the property on the Short-Term Rental Accommodation Register here.

Do I need development approval?

Yes. Under the City of Busselton Local Planning Scheme No. 21, an application for development (planning) approval is required if you wish to use your property as an Unhosted STRA (Holiday Home).

Am I in a preferred or non-preferred area?

The areas in which Unhosted STRA are prohibited corresponds to the “Unhosted STRA – Non-Preferred Areas” mapping of the LPP4.1 (see link below). It is recommended you refer to this mapping for an easy-to-interpret representation of the areas in which an Unhosted STRA can and cannot be considered by the City.

Unhosted STRA Non Preferred Areas Map

What do I need to consider?

Water

Connected to reticulated water or serviced by a minimum 135,000 litre potable water tank.

Waste

Currently serviced by the City’s kerbside waste collection or where kerbside collection is not available, alternate waste management will be considered.

Sewerage

Connected to reticulated sewerage or adequate on-site effluent disposal system.             

Bushfire 

As a result of the new State Planning Policy 3.7: Bushfire and Planning for Bushfire Guidelines (Guidelines) that came into effect on 18 November 2024 Unhosted STRA are no longer required to submit a Bushfire Management Plan however are required to submit a Bushfire Emergency Plan (BEP) which should be prepared to detail how visitors are to respond in the event of a bushfire emergency.

The BEP shall be prepared by an accredited level 2 or 3 bushfire practitioner and is to be prepared in accordance with the “Bushfire Emergency Plan (BEP) Manual

For more information view the Unhosted Short Term Rental Accommodation Local Planning Policy.                  

How many guests can I accommodate?

Under the City’s LPP, Unhosted STRA meets the Accepted Development standards if:

• Grouped and multiple dwellings are limited to a maximum of 6 occupants; and
• Single houses in the Residential or Rural Residential zones are limited to a maximum of 8 occupants.

Notwithstanding the above, the maximum number of occupants cannot exceed 12. The appropriate number of occupants will be determined based on factors including, but not limited to, lot size, the number and size of bedrooms, the number of bathrooms, and available car parking. Please refer to the Unhosted Short Term Rental Accommodation Local Planning Policy for further information.

What do I need to include in my application?

Please refer to the Unhosted Short-Term Rental Accommodation application checklist document below.

Unhosted Short-Term Rental Accommodation application checklist

What will a development application cost?

• Development Application Fee: $295 (2025/26 financial year)
• Advertising/Referral Fee: $142.80 (2025/26 financial year)
• Retrospective Development Application Fee: Any Unhosted STRA which has commenced operating prior to obtaining development approval will incur an additional retrospective fee - Development Application Fee + twice that amount as penalty.

Note: these costs are relevant City fees only. Other costs may apply.

How can I submit my application?

Email   city@busselton.wa.gov.au

In Person   City of Busselton Administration Building, 2 Southern Drive, Busselton WA 6280

By Post   City of Busselton Locked bag 1, Busselton WA 6280

What happens once I have submitted my application?

• A member of the planning team will undertake a preliminary review of the submitted development application to determine if all relevant documentation is received. Should further information be required the nominated Applicant will be notified via email. Once all information has been received to the satisfaction of the City you will be sent a Request for Payment. The application will only commence processing once the application fees have been paid.
• A member of the planning team will undertake an initial assessment of your development application, and action consultation to surrounding landowners and occupiers. In accordance with the City’s LPP4.10 all development applications for Unhosted STRA, including renewals, will be advertised to surrounding landowners and occupiers (as applicable).
• (as applicable).
• Once the period for advertising/referrals has closed, the Planning Officer will complete officer assessment, and your development application will be determined
• If supported, a development (planning) approval, subject to condition(s) will be granted. Generally, the development application process takes approximately 60 to 90 days. Note however, the City may request additional information during the assessment process may extend the assessment timeframes.

I have been granted development approval - what's next?

• Read and understand the conditions(s) of the development (planning) approval. 

• • Read the decision notice and ensure any ‘Prior to Commencement’ conditions have been completed/satisfied.
  • It is important to note that any Prior to Commencement Conditions must be satisfied prior to the commencement of the approved use.
  • Should you have any questions in relation to the development approval, please contact Planning Services directly on 9781 1731.
• Register the STRA premises with the Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety.
  • Register the property on the Short-Term Rental Accommodation Register here. 

Who can I contact if I need more information?

Planning Services

Phone   08 9781 1731

Email   city@busselton.wa.gov.au