To help you find the information relevant to your proposal, refer to the following sections:
Definition – Explains what is considered an outbuilding.
Outbuildings on Residential Zoned Land – Details when a Development Application is not required on Residential Zoned land and the applicable R-Code standards.
Local Planning Policy 15 – Assessment criteria and acceptable development standards where a Development Application is required.
How do I find details about my property? – How to confirm your property's zoning, R-Code, lot size and other planning constraints using the City’s Public Mapping Tool.
Public Drinking Water Source Areas – Additional considerations for properties located within Public Drinking Water Source Areas. Refer to “How do I find details about my property?” to confirm if your property falls within a Public Drinking Water Source Area.
Lodging a Development Application – Development Application requirements, supporting plans and documentation.
Duty Planner Bookings – Information about the City's free pre-lodgement planning advice service.
Lodging a Building Application – The next steps following planning approval.
Outbuilding – an enclosed non-habitable structure that is detached from any dwelling and may include a detached garage. Also referred to as a “shed”.
Applicable to single houses with a density of R2 to R40 or grouped dwellings with a density of R2 to R25
An outbuilding does not require a Development Application, provided all the following requirements below are met (as per the Residential Design Codes (R-Codes)). The outbuilding must be:
Setback from lot boundaries in accordance with Tables 2a and 2b of the R-Codes
NOTE: additional planning requirements may apply to the outbuilding, and a Development Application may be required. Contact the City’s Planning Services on 9257 9999 for further information or to confirm the zoning and/or density (R-Code) of your property. Refer also to the planning layer on City’s IntraMaps for further details on the zoning and/or density (R-Code) of your property.
Table B of the R-Codes is simplified below.
Applicable to lots with a Residential density of R2.5 to R10 and all Rural lots.
Local Planning Policy 15 sets out guidance for the City to assess variations to the R-Codes. A link to Local Planning Policy 15 relating to Outbuildings is available here.
Any variations proposed to the R-Codes will still require a Development Application to be lodged.
Where a lot is not subject to a specific building envelope, all development shall be subject to the prescribed building setback requirements of the R-Codes for residential zones and the scheme for all other zones. The acceptable requirements (with lodgement of a Development Application) for an outbuilding are shown below.
Variations to the above may be supported, subject to detailed justification being outlined within a cover letter, to be submitted with the Development Application.
Refer to Planning Layer on the City’s Public Mapping Tool to confirm your lot size, zoning and/or density of the property.
You can also find out if your property is located within a Bushfire Prone Area or within a Public Drinking Water Source Area.
(Statutory Timeframe of 60-90 days)
To lodge a Development Application, please complete the Development Application Form and Checklist linked below.
Form and Checklist
The following is required to be lodged with the application:
Survey plan of the site
If the site has a significant change in natural ground levels across the site, a survey plan may need to be provided to demonstrate the change in levels across the site and any associated cut and fill proposed to level the site. We request details of any earthworks (cut, fill, retaining walls) in relation to the natural ground level (NGL). Note, fill will count towards the height of the outbuilding above natural ground level. NGL to be based on Australian Height Datum;
Bushfire Prone Area
Sheds and outbuildings proposed within 6 metres of a residence (Class 1a building) are required to be constructed according to Australian Standards 3959-2018 “Construction of buildings in a bushfire prone area” if:
The associated residence was constructed during or after 2015; or
The proposed building work exceeds $20,000.
If your property is located within a Bushfire Prone Area, you may need a Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) Assessment. Depending on the BAL rating you may also require a Bushfire Management Statement or Bushfire Management Plan. Contact an accredited bushfire consultant to find out more.
Water Catchment Area
If your property is in a Water Catchment Area, additional supporting documentation may be required. Refer to the associated State Planning Policy 2.9 – Water information sheet to confirm if additional information is required.
Public Drinking Water Source Area
If your property is located within a Public Drinking Water Source Area, the application will require referral to the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation who need details about the effluent disposal system, expected number of customers, fertiliser use, spray use or anything else that affects water quality. The City will execute the referral on your behalf, however, please refer to the associated State Planning Policy 2.9 – Water information sheet to confirm if additional information is required.
Clearing vegetation
If you are proposing to remove any trees or vegetation you will need a landscaping plan showing existing trees and trees proposed to be removed. Larger scale clearing or clearing of native vegetation may require a clearing permit. Clearing permits are assessed by the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER). Contact DWER for further advice and to confirm if a clearing permit will be required.
Details on proposed and/or existing effluent disposal systems
Ensures that effluent disposal systems are sufficiently setback from the proposed works. The Environmental Health team will review this as part of the Development Application. Contact the City’s Environmental Health team for further advice on 9257 9999.
Stormwater management details
Stormwater management details are required where a development has the potential to alter natural drainage patterns or increase stormwater runoff. The purpose of these details is to demonstrate that stormwater generated from the site can be appropriately managed on-site, in accordance with best practice principles, without causing nuisance, inundation, erosion, or adverse impacts to adjoining properties or the local drainage network. The submitted information is to outline the proposed drainage strategy, including collection, conveyance, treatment, and disposal methods. Refer to the Stormwater Design Guidelines for further information or contact the City’s Developmental Engineering team on 9257 9999.
Crossover details
Where the proposal requires a crossover to be added or modified, a crossover permit may be required. Refer to the Crossover Guideline for further information or contact the City’s Developmental Engineering team on 9257 9999.
NOTE: It is recommended to book a Duty Planner meeting to check if the above Supporting Plans and Documents are required. Once all plans and reports are prepared, submit the Development Application to the City by emailing all documents to enquiries@kalamunda.wa.gov.au.
The City offers a free Duty Planner service to help landowners and community members with planning matters. This service provides general guidance only – staff can outline key considerations and likely information requirements, but they cannot assess proposals or indicate whether they would support them.
If you would like to discuss your proposal, you can book a Duty Planner meeting here: Duty Planner – Online Booking. You can also contact the City directly on 9257 9999 or via enquiries@kalamunda.wa.gov.au if you need further advice.
Please note:
Duty Planner meetings are primarily for planning matters.
If you also have building-related questions, a Building Surveyor can attend the meeting alongside the planner.
However, if you are seeking building advice only (for example, lodging a Building Permit), please contact the City directly instead of booking a Duty Planner meeting.
(Statutory Timeframe of 10 Business Days for a BA1 or 25 Business Days for a BA2)
Once you receive your planning approval, the next step is to lodge a Building Application.
For further details on the Building Permit process, you may refer to the City’s Building Checklist and Guidelines Webpage, the WA Building and Energy Website and/or contact the City on 9257 9999.
This information sheet is for guidance purposes only. This information sheet relates to the general development application process and does not account for special or extenuating circumstances. The City of Kalamunda assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions contained in this information and shall not be held responsible for the misinterpretation or misapplication of the information contained in this document. In some instances, the local government may require additional information from the applicant, referral to related government agencies or public advertising beyond the scope of a standard application to make an informed decision on the application.
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