This page provides information on planning/development and building requirements for mixed use, commercial and industrial (non-residential) developments.
Planning/Development Approval Required for Mixed Use, Commercial or Industrial Developments
The type of development will determine whether or not you need planning/development approval for a project.
When You Need Planning/Development Approval
- New mixed use, commercial or industrial developments, including shop, office or medical premises
- Additions/alterations and alterations to mixed use, commercial and industrial developments
When You May Need Planning/Development Approval
When You Don’t Need Planning/Development Approval
- Generally when starting a new small business, including:
- shops,
- restaurant/cafe,
- convenience store,
- consulting rooms,
- offices located above the ground floor of buildings,
- small liquor store,
- small bar
- gym
- yoga studio
- pilates studio
- children's play centres
- Home occupations
- Internal building works to non-heritage-listed commercial premises, if the works will not increase the floor area.
- The installation of solar panels on the roof of a building, where the solar panels are parallel to the angle of the roof and the building is not a heritage-listed place.
Pre-lodgement Discussions
We encourage you to discuss your proposal with us before lodging a planning/development application. This is particularly important for mixed use, commercial and industrial developments which can be quite complex. Pre-lodgement discussions can improve the overall quality of the design and smooth out the development approval process.
A pre-lodgement discussion may include the following:
Contact our planning team to organise a pre-lodgement assessment.
Joint Development Assessment Panel (JDAP) Applications
It is important to note that we are not the decision-maker for all planning/development applications and some applications are referred to the Metro Inner-South Joint Development Assessment Panel for determination.
These applications include:
- All proposed developments that have an estimated construction cost of $10 million or more are not decided by us and are referred to the for determination (mandatory)
- An application with an estimated cost of construction is between $2-10million and the applicant elects to have the decision made by the JDAP.
For more information about the role of the Metro Inner-South Joint Development Panel, visit our Design Review Panel and Development Assessment Panel page.
Documentation You Will Need for a Planning Application
Mixed Use
- Completed Application for Planning/Development Approval
- Certificate of title
- Site plan
- Floor plans
- Elevations
- Overshadowing diagram
- Streetscape illustration
- Signage details
- Landscaping plans
- Traffic impact statement
- Written justification and amenity impact assessment (only in certain circumstances)
If your application will be determined by the DAP, you will also need
Commercial or Industrial
- Certificate of title
- Site plan
- Floor plans
- Elevations
- Overshadowing diagram
- Streetscape illustration
- Signage details
- Landscaping plan
- Traffic impact statement
- Written justification
Download our information sheet for specific requirements for the above documentation.
If you plan on doing noisy work outside the hours of 7.00am to 7.00pm Monday to Saturday, except for Sundays and public holidays when no noisy work can occur, you must get approval from our environmental health team by submitting a noise management plan.
Building Approval for a Mixed Use, Commercial or Industrial Development
You will need to apply for various building approvals prior to and after construction of a mixed use, commercial or industrial building.
This includes:
- Application for a building permit/s (prior to construction)
- Application for an occupancy permit or building approval certificate (after construction)
- Application for demolition permit (if required)
You will also need to let us know when the building work is complete by lodging a BA7 – Notice of completion, or if the responsible person changes by lodging a BA8 – Notice of cessation. For more information, refer to the Section 6: Notices of completion and cessation page on the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety website.
Documentation You Will Need for a Building Permit Application
Building Permits
- Completed BA1 – Application for building permit (certified)
- Certificate of Title and a Diagram of Survey. Both these documents are available from Landgate
- The DA number from any planning approvals (if planning approval is required)
- Proof of environmental health approval if you are installing a sewage effluent system.
- Completed BA3 – Certificate of Design Compliance that is signed by a registered building surveyor (certified applications only)
- 1 x set of architectural plans and details; including a site plan, floor plan, elevations and cross-section views. These also need to be stamped, certified and signed by an accredited, qualified energy assessor.
- 1 x complete set of specifications describing materials and method of construction.
- 1 x set of structural engineer’s plans and details which are designed, certified/signed by a practising structural engineer.
- 1 x complete set of architectural plans and details which are stamped, certified and signed by an accredited, qualified energy assessor
- Certified and signed energy efficiency report
- Termite management certificate
If the works will exceed $20,000, you will also need:
Application for an Occupancy Permit (BA9 – Application for Occupancy Permit)
New buildings
Existing Buildings
Application for Building Approval Certificate (BA13 – Application for Building Approval Certificate)
Application for Demolition Permit (BA5 – Application for demolition)
See our demolitions page for information on applying for a demolition permit.
Works Affecting Other Land
You must get consent from the owner/s of adjoining land prior to work starting, if any of your works may be reasonably likely to affect their land. For more information, including links to the consent forms, visit the Section 11: Works affecting other land page on the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety website.
Storage of Materials on a Verge Area or Road Reserve
If you need to store material on a verge area or a road reserve, you will need to submit an Application to Deposit Building Materials on Verge or Excavate Near a Street form (PDF).
In the application, include a copy of the site plan (with existing building/s and scale) and indicate where your materials will be situated on the verge. The site plan should be at a scale of 1:200 and show ground levels, security fencing, and elevations of fence and building heights. For other requirements, refer to the bottom of the application form.
Stormwater Drainage
As part of your building permit application you will need to include a site plan indicating the following drainage details:
- Existing ground levels or contours
- Proposed levels of paved or concrete areas
- Details of proposed roof and pavement drainage disposal systems
- Size (depth and diameter) and locations of all soak-wells
- Factors such as soil conditions, water table depth and capacity for storm events need to be taken into account by the appointed professional engineer
Storm water requirements for residential developments
- All stormwater must be retained and discharged on site.
- All soak-wells installed in paved or concrete areas must have trafficable lids (that can be walked over) and made accessible for maintenance purposes.
- Soak-wells are no closer than 1m to a footing or boundary.
- All soak-wells used are from an accredited supplier.
- All soak-wells installed within flexible pavement areas (bitumen or brick paving) are provided with an appropriate base to prevent any subsidence of the well liners.
- It is the owner’s responsibility to regularly clean and maintain on-site drainage systems to ensure its on-going functionality.
- Residential sites located below road level must have drainage systems designed to cater for a 1:100 ARI 24hr storm event.
- Residential sites located above road level must have drainage systems designed to cater for a 1:20 ARI 1hr storm event.
Noisy Construction Work
If you plan on doing noisy work outside the hours of 7.00am to 7.00pm Monday to Saturday, except for Sundays and public holidays when no noisy work can occur, you must get approval from our environmental health team by submitting a noise management plan.
Lodging a Planning/Development or Building Application for Mixed Use, Commercial or Industrial Developments
You can lodge and track most building and planning applications online, however some applications must be submitted in-person at our Civic Centre.
Lodge and Track a Building and Planning Application
Planning/Development Approvals
Timeframes
We aim to process applications within the following guidelines:
- Where we don’t need to consult with neighbours or external agencies: 60 days.
- Where we need to consult with neighbours or external agencies: 90 days.
These timelines may sometimes be extended in consultation with the applicant.
Fees and Charges
Planning/development application fees are calculated based on the contract value of the project and are listed on the Planning Fees Schedule.
Building Permit Applications
Timeframes
We process all certified applications (BA1 forms) within 10 working days, and all uncertified applications (BA2 forms) within 25 working days.
If we need further information to assess your application, you will have up to 21 calendar days to provide any outstanding information. We then have balance of the remaining 10 working days to provide a determination.
If you do not provide the outstanding information within the 21 days, we may refuse your application.
Fees and Charges
Building permit fees either based on the estimated value of the building work/contract price, or are set for that application type.You may also need to pay a verge bond fee and the CTF Levy.
See all our building permit fees in our Building Permit Fee Schedule, or use our online fee calculator to estimate your building fees.
Verge Bond Fee
For building projects over $20,000, you will also need to pay a verge bond. A verge bond is held by us to ensure that any damage caused to City verge infrastructure during construction works is rectified to pre-works condition.
- Verge Bond - $1,900.00
- Verge Bond Inspection Fee (non-refundable) - $100
To find out more and apply, visit our Verge Bonds and Refunds page.
CTF Levy
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).
Materials on Verge Area or Road Reserve
If you need to store building material on a verge area or a road reserve, you will need to pay a $75 fee.
Planning/Development and Building Advice for Mixed Use, Commercial or Industrial Developments
The advice on this page is a general guide only. See our Planning and Building advice page information and guidance.
Guiding Documents
Forms and Documents