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22 October 2026

Building

Planning approvals and building permits are different and are controlled by different legislation. This means that you may need to apply for planning approval, or a building permit, or both depending on your proposed development or land use.

If your development does require planning approval, you must obtain the planning approval before lodging an application for a building permit.  Site plans, elevations and floor plans are required for a planning application, however more detailed construction drawings are required for the separate building application process.

The Shire of Cranbrook is responsible for controlling land use and the design and positioning of all buildings. It is also responsible for ensuring building plans comply with the operative Town Planning Scheme, the Residential Design Codes, the Shire’s Policies and the Building Code of Australia.

The Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety website has information on Building, including a handy guide to the building approvals process in WA, as well as current building forms, notices and certificates.

For guidance in your application, download our Residential Dwelling or Dwelling Addition Information and Checklist, Here.

Applications must be accompanied by all required plans and associated fees in order to be lodged with the Shire. For information regarding Residential Dwelling or Dwelling Addition and checklist for Building Permit Applications download our information sheet by clicking the link.

Building Approvals

A building permit is required prior to commencing any building work involving the development of new structures, alterations or extensions and changes in ground levels including garages, patios, sheds, residential dwellings, granny flats, extensions, swimming pools and retaining walls etc. Similarly a demolition permit is required before any demolition works can commence. If the total value of work exceeds $20,000 a permit can only be issued to a registered builder or registered owner builder. Please read through the owner builder application for more information.

Applying for a Building Permit

Anyone can apply for a building permit, the owner, builder, designer, building surveyor or any other person. The applicant provides details of the person responsible for the work, ie the builder, in the application form. The builder takes responsibility for ensuring the construction complies with the applicable building standards and the provisions in the building permit.

There are two types of building permit applications, ‘certified’ (Form BA1) and ‘uncertified’ (Form BA2). Which ever one applies must be submitted with required information and the fees payable.

Building Application Forms

Certified Application

A certified application is accompanied by a certificate of design compliance (CDC), issued by a private Building Surveyor that certifies the design of the proposed building works in compliance to the Australian Standards, BCA and all other associated legislation and can be made for any class of building and incidental structure.

A CDC cannot be signed off until a Development Approval, if applicable, is provided and an approval for Onsite Sewage Treatment and Disposal, if applicable, has been sought after and approved.

Applications for Class 1b and Class 2 to Class 9 buildings must be made as certified applications whereas this is optional for Class 1a and 10 buildings and incidental structures. Information about building classes can be viewed here.

The Shire has 10 business days to decide on a certified application.

Uncertified Application

An uncertified application is submitted to the Shire without a certificate of design compliance (CDC) and can only be made for Class 1a and Class 10 buildings and incidental structures.

If you are submitting an uncertified application please be sure to complete this  form and complete this checklist prior to your submission

The Building Surveyor at the Shire will check the proposal and provide a certificate of design compliance. The Shire has 25 business days to decide on an uncertified application.

Unlawful Building Work

Application for Building Approval Certificate – Form BA13. For further information, please refer to Department of Mines, Industry, Regulation and Safety.

A complete set of plans, details and specifications must be submitted with your application.
All plans and details must be legible, drawn to scale and include a title block containing lot address, page numbers, a project title and date.

  • A certificate of building compliance (CBC), issued by a third party building surveyor;
  • Where the local government or the building surveyor deems it necessary, a structural engineer needs to inspect the existing structure and submit a report.
  • Copies of all plans and specifications denoted on the CBC.
  • A copy of technical certificates, (i.e. energy efficiency certificate, etc).
  • Evidence of any prescribed authorities’ approval.
  • Septic system approval where applicable.
  • Evidence of any prescribed notifications given.
  • Appropriate consent forms or court orders where work encroaches onto or adversely affects other land.

General Notes: Where insufficient details are provided, more details may be requested by the Building Surveyor in order to assess the structure for compliance with the provisions of the National Construction Code.

A Guide to the Building Approval Process in Western Australia

This guide will help you understand the process for obtaining approval to build and occupy a building in Western Australia.

A guide to the building approvals process in Western Australia | Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (commerce.wa.gov.au)

Applications can be submitted via post to Shire of Cranbrook PO Box 21 CRANBROOK WA 6321, emailed admin@cranbrook.wa.gov.au to or in person at the Shire Administration office located at 19 Gathorne Street, Cranbrook.

If you have any questions regarding building applications please contact admin@cranbrook.wa.gov.au or telephone 9826 1008.

Imported Container or Modular Homes Building Service Information

Thinking About Buying an Imported Container or Modular Home? 

Important information for landowners considering a small dwelling or building imported from overseas. 

Prefabricated, modular and container-based dwellings can be an appealing, cost-effective housing option, and the Shire of Cranbrook supports well-designed, compliant small dwellings. However, buildings imported from overseas are not automatically suitable for use in Western Australia. Before committing any funds, prospective buyers are strongly encouraged to investigate carefully, as a purchase that cannot ultimately be approved may represent a significant financial loss. 

This information sheet outlines general compliance considerations that commonly apply to imported container and modular homes, and explains the Shire’s approach to Certificates of Design Compliance for these products. It is general guidance only and is not intended to make any claim about a particular manufacturer, importer or supplier — building products vary widely, and some suppliers may be able to provide full Australian compliance documentation. Buyers should undertake their own due diligence for any specific product they are considering. 

Why Australian Standards Matter 

All habitable buildings in Western Australia, regardless of where they are manufactured, must comply with the National Construction Code (NCC) and relevant Australian Standards. Products designed and certified for use in other countries are generally built to that country’s codes, which may differ from Australian requirements for structural performance, electrical and gas safety, fire safety, energy efficiency, and materials. Compliance cannot be assumed simply because a building has been approved or certified overseas. 

Compliance Considerations for Imported Buildings 

Buyers should be aware that imported container and modular homes can, in some cases, present the following compliance considerations. Not all products are affected, and the extent of any issue will depend on the individual product and supplier. 

  1. Electrical Installations — AS/NZS 3000 

Electrical components and wiring may be manufactured to a different national standard. Any electrical work must be inspected, and where necessary reinstalled, by a licensed Australian electrician and certified before connection to the grid. 

Point to consider: Systems that have not been tested to Australian requirements may need to be partly or fully rewired prior to connection. 

  1. Plumbing and Drainage — AS/NZS 3500 

Pipework, fittings and waste/venting systems should be checked against Australian requirements, including material durability and permissible lead content in fittings. 

Point to consider: Pre-installed plumbing may need to be assessed, and in some cases reworked, by a licensed plumber before sign-off. 

  1. Gas Installations — AS/NZS 5601 

Any gas appliances must be AGA-certified and installed by a licensed gas fitter. Appliances carrying only foreign certification cannot be legally installed without modification or replacement. 

Point to consider: Check appliances for valid Australian certification labels before purchase. 

  1. Building Materials and Structural Compliance — NCC and various Australian Standards 

Steel framing, insulation, wall cladding and glazing should each be supported by evidence of compliance with the relevant Australian Standard, including wind loading, fire safety and energy performance requirements. 

Point to consider: Where certificates of compliance are not available for building products, independent testing is likely to be required before Shire approval can be considered. 

  1. Asbestos and Hazardous Materials

Some overseas building products, including certain cement sheeting, vinyl flooring, adhesives and insulation, have in some instances been found to contain asbestos or other materials restricted in Australia. 

Point to consider: Where the source of a building product cannot be verified, independent laboratory testing is recommended. 

  1. Thermal Performance and Energy Efficiency — NCC Section J 

Insulation and thermal breaks designed for another climate may not meet minimum energy efficiency requirements for the local climate zone. 

  1. Waterproofing and Weatherproofing

Seals and junctions around roofs, windows and doors should meet Australian water ingress requirements to avoid leaks. 

  1. Termite Management

Interior fit-out materials should be termite-treated or otherwise compliant, with supporting documentation available. 

  1. Fire Safety and Smoke Alarms

Pre-installed smoke alarms should be checked for compliance with current Australian requirements. 

  1. Ventilation and Indoor Air Quality

Passive and mechanical ventilation, particularly in wet areas, should meet Australian requirements. 

  1. Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) Requirements — AS 3959 

For land that is bushfire prone, cladding, roofing, glazing and seals must meet the applicable BAL rating for the site. 

  1. Transport and Lifting Certification

Suitable, certified lifting points and transport engineering documentation should be available and appropriate for Australian transport and installation requirements. 

Certificate of Design Compliance — Shire Position 

The Shire of Cranbrook does not issue Certificates of Design Compliance for imported container or modular homes. Applicants proposing to install this type of building must engage an independent, appropriately registered private certifier to assess the building against the National Construction Code and all applicable Australian Standards, and to issue the Certificate of Design Compliance. This certificate must then be submitted to the Shire as part of the building approval process. 

This approach reflects the specialised, product-specific assessment these buildings require, and is not a comment on the quality of any individual product or supplier. 

Buyers and applicants should also be aware that, nationally, there have been reported instances of non-genuine or fraudulent compliance certification being issued in connection with imported building products. For this reason, the Shire will independently review any Certificate of Design Compliance and supporting documentation submitted with a building approval application, including verifying the certifier’s registration and confirming the certification with the issuing certifier or body where necessary. Applications supported by documentation that cannot be verified will not be accepted for building approval. Buyers are strongly encouraged to confirm, in writing and before purchasing, that their supplier can provide documentation capable of independent verification. 

Documentation to Request Before You Purchase 

Before committing to purchase an imported container or modular home, the Shire recommends obtaining written evidence of the following. A private certifier will require this documentation in order to assess and issue a Certificate of Design Compliance: 

  • Certification from an Australian-registered structural engineer 
  • Roof and wall cladding compliance with Australian Standards 
  • Internal lining materials compliance with Australian Standards 
  • An Energy Efficiency Report (NCC Section J) and compliant energy efficiency materials 
  • A Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) report, where the land is bushfire prone 
  • Plumbing pipework and fixtures compliant with AS/NZS 3500 
  • Electrical cabling and fixtures compliant with AS/NZS 3000 
  • Gas appliances that are AGA-certified and compliant with AS/NZS 5601 
  • Glazing compliant with AS 1288 and applicable wind load/impact requirements 
  • Any concrete components compliant with Australian Standards 
  • Any structural steel components compliant with Australian Standards 
  • Any timber construction compliant with Australian Standards 
  • Evidence of a suitable termite management system 
  • Confirmation, or independent testing, that materials are free from asbestos 
  • Transport and lifting engineering certification 

Before You Proceed 

The Shire encourages residents interested in small, prefabricated or transportable dwellings to research suppliers thoroughly. A number of Australian companies offer prefabricated dwellings that are fully compliant with the National Construction Code and can be transported to site. Buyers considering an imported product should: 

  • Request all documentation listed above in writing before paying a deposit 
  • Contact the Shire’s Building Services team to discuss requirements prior to purchase 
  • Engage an independent, registered private certifier to assess the building and issue the Certificate of Design Compliance 
  • Engage a licensed building surveyor, structural engineer and relevant trades to independently review the product 
  • Avoid relying solely on marketing material or certification issued in the country of manufacture 
  • Confirm directly with the certifying professional or body that any compliance certificate provided by the supplier is genuine 

Disclaimer 

This information sheet is provided as general guidance only and reflects common compliance considerations associated with imported container and modular homes generally. It is not intended to target, or make any definitive claim about, any specific manufacturer, importer or supplier, and it does not constitute building or legal advice. Compliance requirements depend on the individual product and site, and independent professional advice and certification should be obtained in every case. This document is based on the National Construction Code and Australian Standards current at the time of publication and may be updated from time to time.