Occupancy Permit

If you are operating or thinking of starting a business out of a building in Cockburn, an occupancy permit may be required from the City before you can occupy or use the building. Class 2 to 9 buildings require occupancy permits and include sheds, apartments, shops, warehouses, and offices to name a few, but don’t include houses.

What is an Occupancy Permit?

An Occupancy Permit is a legal requirement and grants approval for a building to be occupied or used. Occupancy Permits help ensure your staff, clients and contractors will be safe on your premises. A permit will also give you legal recourse from insurance companies in the event of an incident or accident within your building.

It is an offence to occupy a building without a valid permit and penalties apply.  A copy or details of the permit must be displayed at or near the main entrance to the building.

When do I need an Occupancy Permit?

An occupancy permit is required for the following class 2 to 9 buildings:
  • New parts of an existing commercial building
  • Stages of an incomplete building
  • If the classification of the building has changed permanently or temporarily.
New and existing buildings (doesn’t include houses and domestic buildings)

New buildings

Applications must be accompanied by:
  • A Certificate of Construction Compliance (Form BA17) signed by a registered private building surveyor
  • Evidence of approval from various authorities under written law as relevant to the building or incidental structure
  • A completed and signed Notice and Request for Consent to Encroach or Adversely Affect Form (BA20), and if applicable an unauthorised works form. See the Unauthorised Building Works page for more information 
  • The application fee and State levies.
Visit the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety website (formerly Building Commission) to access the required forms.

Existing authorised buildings

Applications must be accompanied by:
  • A Certificate of Building Compliance (Form BA18) signed by a registered private building surveyor confirming that the existing building has been inspected and it complies with all applicable building standards it was approved under
  • A completed application form for an Occupancy Permit (Form BA9) signed by the owner/occupier
  • The application fee and State levies.
Visit the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety website (formerly Building Commission) to access the required forms.
 
Unauthorised building work on a commercial building
To receive a retrospective Occupancy Permit for an existing unauthorised building and/or change of use, the following information must be submitted with an Occupancy Permit application:
  • A Certificate of Building Compliance (Form BA18) signed by a registered private building surveyor confirming that the building has been inspected and it complies with all current applicable building standards
  • A completed Occupancy Permit Application Form (BA9), signed by the owner/occupier
  • The application fee and State levies.
Visit the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety website (formerly Building Commission) for access to the required forms.
 

How do I apply for an Occupancy Permit?

A building must be finished with all services, including electrical, mechanical, fire and hydraulic installed and operational before an Occupancy Permit application can be submitted. Technical certificates from specialists and trades may be required with your application, so please ask your registered private building surveyor in advance.

It takes us up to 10 business days to approve or reject the application. Sometimes we will ask the nominated builder or applicant for more information, giving them 21 calendar days to respond. The permit will be put on hold during this time. It may also be refused, and the application fee retained if no response is provided within the 21-day timeframe.

Applications are submitted via the Council's online lodgement system (Online Services eProperty).
 

Certificates needed for an Occupancy Permit application

Consultant Certificates Contractor Certificates Material Certificates
Electrical engineer Electrical Fire doors and frames
Fire services engineer Hydraulic Fire rated ceilings
Hydraulic engineer Fire services Fire rated walls
Mechanical engineer Mechanical Fire seals / collars
Structural engineer Structural Flexible ducting
  Compaction Window assemblies

 

More information and contact

Before moving into a building to start a business, talk to the team at the City of Cockburn to identify what approvals you need, if any, to ensure compliance and the safety of all who will occupy and visit your building. Call 08 9411 3444 or email [email protected]

Contact

Address

City of Cockburn
Whadjuk Boodja
9 Coleville Crescent,
Spearwood 6163

PO Box 1215, Bibra Lake DC,
Western Australia, 6965

Office opening hours:
8.30am to 4.30pm
Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays)

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Cockburn Nyungar moort Beeliar boodja-k kaadadjiny. Koora, yeyi, benang baalap nidja boodja-k kaaradjiny.
Ngalak kaadatj dayin boodja, kep wer malayin. Ngalak kaadatj koora koora wer yeyi ngalang birdiya.

City of Cockburn acknowledges the Nyungar people of Beeliar boodja. Long ago, now and in the future they care for Country.
We acknowledge a continuing connection to land, waters and culture and pay our respects to the Elders, past and present.