Building a Patio, Pergola, Vergola or Shade Sail
Patio
A patio is a unenclosed structures (open on two or more sides) with an impervious roof covering (material that doesn’t allow water to pass through e.g. Colorbond or polycarbonate sheeting). It may or may not be attached to a house.
Pergola
A pergola is an open-sided structure that is supported by columns or posts. It generally has an open roof or a permeable roof cover (e.g. shade cloth). A pergola may be freestanding or attached to a house.
Vergola
A vergola is an open-sided structure that is supported by columns or posts and includes a roof cover made from adjustable louvers. The difference between a vergola and a patio is that the roof covering may be open (pervious to water), or closed (impervious to water), depending on the configuration it has been adjusted to. A vergola is considered as a patio under the Building Act 2011 and is consequently subject to fire separation requirements.
Shade Sail
A shade sail is a shade cloth structure designed to provide permanent shade that is attached to steel posts, the dwelling or surrounding structures.
You may need a building permit before starting construction on any Patio, Pergola, Vergola or Shade Sail. Please refer to the city’s Development and Planning Team to confirm whether you require a Development Approval.
Lodging a Building Application for a Garage or Carport
A Building Application may be submitted to the City of Busselton as ‘Certified’ or ‘Uncertified’ Application.
Certified Building Application - BA1 form
- A Certified Building Application is submitted to the permit authority accompanied by a Certificate of Design Compliance (CDC)
- May be for any class of building and incidental structure,
- Applications for Class 1b and Class 2 to 9 buildings must be made as Certified Applications
- Class 1a and Class 10 buildings and incidental structures may be Certified or Uncertified.
- Applicants wishing to submit a Certified Application are required to engage a Registered Building Surveyor to check the proposal and provide a Certificate of Design Compliance to submit to the permit authority.
- The permit authority has 10 business days to decide on a Certified Application. These timelines may sometimes be extended in consultation with the applicant.
To assist lodgement of a Certified Building Application, please refer links below:
BA1 - Certified Building Application Form
Checklist- BA1 Certified
Uncertified Building Application - BA2 form
- Submitted to the permit authority without a Certificate of Design Compliance (CDC)
- Only applies to Class 1a and Class 10 buildings and incidental structures.
- A building surveyor is appointed by the permit authority to check the proposal and provide a Certificate of Design Compliance. A building permit will be issued.
To assist lodgement of an Uncertified Building Application, please refer links below:
BA2 - Uncertified Building Application Form
Checklist- BA2 Uncertified
Lodging Applications
The City accepts building applications in hardcopy or electronic format via the following:
A Request for Payment will be issued upon receipt of application. Application fees can be calculated using the Building fees tab: Online Building Fee Calculator.
If your project has a construction value of more than $20,000, you will need to pay the Construction Training Fund (CTF) Levy. The rate of the levy is 0.2% of the total value of construction (inclusive of GST). Once paid an invoice will be required to be submitted with the application.