Do You Need Council Approval for Your Perth Deck?
You’ve got your eye on that stunning new deck, lazy Sunday barbies, and a place to enjoy morning coffee in the sun have never looked so good, not to mention all the extra space for entertaining. Then the word ‘permits’ or ‘council approval’ comes up, and suddenly you’re doubting everything.
WA deck building codes won’t try to trip you up. They help keep buildings safe and neighbourhoods running smoothly. But they can be confusing, and you don’t want to go through half your deck only to learn that you were doing something wrong.
So do you need a permit? It depends. Not the straightforward answer you wanted, but stay with me.
The Basic Rule Everyone Should Know
The rule of thumb for most Perth councils is as follows: “If a deck is 500 mm or above natural ground level, then you will need to obtain council approval.” That's just half a metre.
This is then guided by legislation, which the City of Joondalup has officially endorsed as acceptable and appears to be uniform through most Perth metro councils.
Here's the tricky bit. That measurement is from the natural ground line, which confuses people on sloping blocks. Your deck may look low from your back door, but if you measure it correctly from the base connecting level beneath and take into account any alterations in gradient, then you might be surprised to find out just how far above 500 mm you will be pushed.
Other critical measurements? And building within 900 mm of your boundary is going to involve paperwork. Ditto if your deck is over 2.4 m high at any point.
Small Decks Aren't Always Permit-Free
A recurring myth is that a small deck does not require a permit. Look, there’s some truth to that, but it also is more complicated than that.
Decks under 1 metre high and less than 10 square metres' floor area can often be built without full building permission.
The stuff that gets people, however, is the following:
That’s only 10 square metres, which works out to be about 3m x 3m, so if you’re hoping to entertain … not that big!
Decks that are connected to your house may require a permit too, even if they are below the size threshold.
Location matters; if you’re near boundaries, other rules apply.
Pool decks almost always require permits regardless of size because of pool fencing safety recommendations.
Bigger than those limits is ultimately what most families would want anyway; that’s where the proper approvals come in.
Why Different Councils, Different Rules?
They have exactly the same requirements, right? They are all working off the same WA building codes. Councils, however, are of different minds about such things, each with its own local planning schemes that operate in addition to the state rules.
The City of Perth especially can be one rule-bound to the crutch, and I wrote back essentially speaking to that. They mind a great deal about the setbacks on buildings and about how new structures look from the street.
Stirling Council are usually pretty reasonable but fussy on drainage and stormwater. Joondalup has its own guidelines, and most other councils do too.
Which is why you can’t just take for granted that your mate’s experience of her suburb and getting approval in one town will be the same as yours. The suburb next door could have a whole different set of hoops to jump through.
Planning Approval vs. Building Permit
And here’s something that all people are constantly confused by. There are, in reality, two kinds of approvals and depending on what you’re doing, you may be required to obtain one or both.
Planning approval is granted if it fits in with the neighbourhood:
Setback requirements and boundary distances
Privacy impacts on neighbours
Property and its looks in the region
Building permits stress the structure of the house:
Compliance with Australian Standards
Structural soundness and engineering
Safe construction methods
Building approval is managed by the WA Government’s department of building and energy, but applications are handled by each local council within Western Australia.
For a simple deck, you might need only a building permit. But larger or higher decks in finicky places may require a planning approval first (60 to 90 days) and then a building permit after (10 to 25 working days).
You see why you need to plan, right?
The Real Cost of Skipping Approvals
Let's be honest. A few people consider not seeking approval at all. It feels like more time and money spent on something that shouldn’t be such a big deal.
Don't do it.
Fines generally are at least three times as much as the cost of the permit. But your financial situation is the least of your concerns. Council can also make you completely remove your brand-new deck.
And, unapproved structures are the stuff of nightmares when it comes to selling (appearing on property reports, with buyers either walking or requiring you to remedy prior to settlement). Claims for insurance can also be rejected.
It's just not worth the risk.
What Your Deck Builder Should Be Doing
If you’ve hired a professional deck builder, they should be well-acquainted with local regulations. We assist clients in trying to determine whether their project requires approval, and if so, what type.
While we can't claim to know the ins and outs of every council in the Perth metro area, with all due respect – we've built plenty of timber decks & composite decking projects around Perth over the years... And generally, we know what each council wants.
A good builder will be straightforward with you about permitting and handle getting the permit for you. They’ll be familiar with whether your design must have engineering accreditation, what council requires they're given and approximate timeframes.
The trick is to sort this out before you begin building. When the materials are already on site and construction is underway, finding out that you needed approval can be a nightmare.
Making the Application Process Smoother
If you need to get council approval (which you probably will do), here's what makes it go more smoothly:
To-scale drawings, not rough sketched but accurate blueprints with dimensions and layout.
Site plans indicating where the deck will be in relation to property lines and existing buildings.
Benefits details of the structure on decks above or greater would serve to demonstrate that the selected deck construction is structurally adequate.
Specs about the building materials, particularly termite-proofing or bushfire ratings if you’re in some areas.
The more comprehensive your application from the outset, the less back and forth with the council. The absence of information only implies frustrating delays to all.
Special Considerations for Different Deck Types
When it comes to approvals, not all decks are created equal.
Here's what gets extra scrutiny:
Raised decks which result in overlooking neighbours’ windows also require careful thought; you may have to build screening into the design.”
Wraparound decks typically require approval due to the cumulative area, including even very low areas.
Decks on sloping grounds are a nightmare; councils measure from the lowest point in natural ground standing next to your deck, so what seems low when you look at it from one direction could be multiple metres too high.
First and foremost, go get your measurements taken properly before you assume that you’re under the threshold.
Why Composite Decking Doesn't Change the Rules
Some believe that opting for composite decking over wood may alter approval regulations. It doesn't. Whether you’re putting in Trex composite decking or traditional lumber decking, the rules are exactly the same: you’ll be immersed in permit hell. Council cares about size, height and location — not materials.
That being said, good materials like Trex could smooth the process of getting the green light. Councils like well-specified, warrantable products. Eco Carpentry is ready to bring that professional reputation to your project as a registered Trex Pro installer.
What About Deck Renovations?
Renovating an existing deck? Don’t assume you’re good just because something is already there. Standards evolve, and what was acceptable decades ago may not be up to current snuff.
If you’re making it larger or taller or are altering the structure drastically, treat this like a new build. Even basic board swaps deserve a cursory check that the original deck was correctly approved.
Getting Professional Help Makes Sense
You could take care of all this yourself. Some people do. But navigating council rules, organising documentation and hedge-finding is a lot to bite off.
Experienced Perth deck builders in the know of council laws that will make your life easier. Here at Eco Carpentry we have navigated approval complexities, including as basic backyard timber decks to multi-level projects. We know what councils are looking for, we’ve built up relationships with surveyors and engineers, and we can identify problems before they become problems.
We can let you know if it’s plain sailing to be approved or whether some tweaks are necessary. And it’s hard to come up with a dollar amount for that kind of experience in the prevention of expensive mistakes.
So What Does This Mean for Your Deck Project?
If it is higher than a 500 mm deck, more than 10 sqm in size, closer to boundaries or something more than just a tiny ground-level platform, you should assume that you will require approved.
Start with your local council’s website, but don’t trust the internet alone. A fast phone call to your local building department will verify what’s necessary. Better yet, consult with a professional deck builder in the early stages of your plan to evaluate your site and walk you through the approval process.
Deck construction should be fun – a space to create memories and share stories with the people closest to you. Do not be deterred by permitpocalypse. Do it well, and you will have a carefree deck.
Want to talk about your deck project? Eco Carpentry can assist you with the exact approvals you are required to meet and help you have a design which will tick all boxes. Reach out, and let’s figure out your next moves.