FAQs

Local planning policies provide guidance for development and how development applications will be assessed and determined by the Town.

It is important that regular reviews of local planning policies are undertaken to ensure that they remain current, consistent with legislation and relevant to achieving the Town’s strategic objectives. The planning framework relating to short-term rental accommodation has undergone major changes in the past year. This, coupled with an increase in development applications, means that a review of Local Planning 31 is necessary to ensure that the policy remains current and fit-for-purpose. Last year the State Government implemented changes to the planning framework for short-term rental accommodation (STRA), alongside a state-wide Registration Scheme.  

Short-term rental accommodation (STRA) refers to the practice of renting out a property for a relatively short period of time, usually on a nightly basis. This type of accommodation is usually booked through online platforms and is popular among travellers and visitors seeking temporary lodging. For further information, please visit Short-Term Rental Accommodation Planning Regulations (State Government website).

Residential Buildings refers to properties which have seven or more unrelated persons (excluding a single family) permanently residing at an address. It usually caters for shared accommodation such as student accommodation or lodging house, and typically the property is rented by the room.

Development (planning) approval is not required for: 

a) hosted STRA where the host lives on the property during the short-term stay (year-round); and 

b) unhosted STRA where guests have exclusive use of an entire dwelling, up to 90 days within a 12 month period. 

The 90-day exemption allows for residents who may periodically be away throughout the year to rent out their property on a short-term basis. This applies to all residential properties in the Perth Metropolitan area.

Where development approval is required. For ‘unhosted short term rental accommodation’, this is when it operates more than 90 days within a 12-month period, and for all ‘residential building’ land uses.

The revised policy seeks to revise the ‘status quo’ and require the location for unhosted short-term rental accommodation to be within proximity of an entertainment or tourism attraction. 

These attractions are identified as:

1. Perth Stadium
2. Burswood Casino/ Entertainment Complex
3. Derbal Yerrigan (Swan River) / McCallum Park)
4. Albany Highway Cafe/retail strip
5. Edward Millen Heritage Precinct
6. Curtin University

Refer to the proposed location maps in the Document Library.

Your feedback will be considered as part of the process to finalise the draft LPP before it is presented to Council for adoption. If you make a submission, we will let you know when the draft LPP will be considered by Council.