Do I Need Council Approval for a Granny Flat in Perth? (2025 Guide)

It's one of the first questions we hear from Perth homeowners thinking about a granny flat: do I need council approval? The answer depends on your property and your project — and it changed significantly in 2024.

Here's the complete picture.

The short answer

For most single-storey granny flats under 70m² on standard residential lots in Perth, you do not need a development approval (DA) from your local council. Since April 2024, these projects only require a building permit — which takes around 10 business days.

If your granny flat is over 70m², or your property has special conditions (heritage, special control area, etc.), you'll still need a development approval. The full process at BuildWise WA takes 4–6 weeks.

What's the difference between a building permit and council approval?

These are two separate processes, and it's important to understand the difference:

Development approval (DA): A planning assessment by your local council to determine whether your proposed structure is appropriate for your zone, meets setbacks, and complies with local planning policy. This is what most people mean when they say "council approval." It can take 8–16 weeks.

Building permit: A technical approval confirming your building meets structural and safety standards under the Building Code of Australia. Handled by a licensed building surveyor. Typically 10 business days.

Before April 2024, most granny flats in Perth required both. Now, most under 70m² only need the building permit.

The 2024 rule change explained

In April 2024, the WA State Government amended its planning framework to remove the requirement for development approval for secondary dwellings (granny flats) that meet certain criteria. The goal was to increase housing supply and make it easier for Perth homeowners to add a secondary dwelling without navigating lengthy council processes.

The simplified pathway applies when:

• Your lot is zoned Residential R20 or above

• The granny flat is single-storey

• The floor area is 70m² or less

• Standard setback requirements are met

• No heritage, special control or covenant conditions apply

What if my block doesn't qualify?

Some properties won't be eligible for the simplified pathway. Common reasons include:

• The block is below R20 zoning

• The granny flat design exceeds 70m²

• The property has a heritage listing or is in a special control area

• Setback requirements can't be met within the proposed design

In these cases, a development approval is still required. The DA process involves submitting your design to the local council for assessment, responding to any queries, and waiting for the decision. At BuildWise WA, we manage this process end to end — most of our DA submissions are approved without objection.

What does the approval process involve?

Whether you need a building permit only or a full development approval, the process starts with design and documentation. Here's what's involved:

1. Site assessment — We review your block size, zoning, existing structures and applicable setbacks.

2. Design and drafting — Full working drawings produced to council standards.

3. Approval lodgement — Building permit (or DA if required) lodged with supporting documentation.

4. Approval issued — 10 days for building permit; 4–6 weeks for full design and DA process.

5. Build commences — Construction begins with approved plans in hand.

How much does the approval process cost?

BuildWise WA's all-in service — design, drafting and full approval management — starts from $7,000 for a standard granny flat. This is significantly less than the $15,000–$30,000+ charged by architects and planning consultants for comparable work.

You'll receive a fixed quote before you commit. No surprises.

Can I check myself before calling?

Yes — you can look up your property's zoning on your local council's website or on the WA Planning Portal (planning.wa.gov.au). Search your address and look for the residential zone (R-Code).

If your zone is R20 or above and you're planning a single-storey granny flat under 70m², there's a good chance you qualify for the simplified pathway. Confirm it with us — it's a free call.

Get a free assessment

Not sure where your project stands? We'll assess your property against current WA regulations at no charge and give you a clear answer in plain English.

Call 0492 972 408, send us an email at info@buildwisewa.com.au, or fill in the quote form and we'll call you back within 2 hours.

  BuildWise WA handles granny flat design, council approvals and project management across all of Perth. 200+ projects approved. 100% approval rate. All-in from $7,000.