The City of Joondalup promotes diverse accommodation types to boost tourism and local businesses. To operate short-term rental accommodation including a bed and breakfast, Airbnb, or other short-term rental accommodation, you may need to obtain approval from the City. Find out about requirements and how to apply.
Definitions
- Holiday accommodation: Two or more dwellings on one lot used to provide short term rental accommodation for persons other than the owner of the lot.
- Hosted short-term rental accommodation: Where the host lives on site for the duration a dwelling (or an ancillary dwelling on the same property) is used for short-term rental accommodation.
- Serviced apartment: A group of units or apartments providing self-contained short stay accommodation for guests and any associated reception or recreational facilities.
- Short-term rental accommodation: A dwelling or part of a dwelling occupied under a commercial short-term rental arrangement for a period or periods not exceeding a total of 3 months in any 12-month period.
- Unhosted short-term rental accommodation: Where guests have use of a dwelling (or ancillary dwelling) for short-term rental accommodation without the property owner living on site.
Overview of requirements
The following is an overview of approval requirements:
- Development (planning approval): Amendments to the Planning and Development (Local Planning Schemes) Regulations 2015introduced in September 2024 have significantly changed how short-term rental accommodation is managed in Western Australia. The following approval requirements now apply to short-term rental accommodation proposed within the City:
- Hosted short-term rental accommodation is exempt from requiring planning approval.
- Unhosted short-term rental accommodation is exempt from requiring planning approval if operating for 90 nights or less in a 12-month period. If operating for greater than 90 nights in a 12-month period, planning approval is required.
- Holiday accommodation requires planning approval
- Serviced apartments require planning approval.
- Building approval: A building permit is required for constructing a new building or making additions to an existing building. An occupancy permit may also be required.
- Environmental Health approval: If your short-term rental accommodation business prepares food for guests, you must register with the City as a food business. Also, if guests are allowed to use an ‘aquatic facility’ such as a swimming or spa pool, the water body also requires approval as an aquatic facility.
Important note: Exemptions may apply for approval of aquatic facilities. To learn more, visit the Department of Health website.
Short-term Rental Accommodation Register
Separate from the approval requirements above, it is mandatory for all short-term rental accommodation premises to register with the Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety using the Short-Term Rental Accommodation Register.
Important note: It is recommended to contact the City before proceeding with any applications for short-term rental accommodation. This initial consultation allows the City to provide guidance on the approvals required and how to apply the City’s Short-term Accommodation Local Planning Policy, which is in the process of being amended to align with the short-term rental accommodation reforms introduced in September 2024. This step is crucial to ensure that you follow the correct process for your business needs.
How to apply for short term accommodation approval
If you have confirmed that planning approval is required, please refer to the Requirements for planning applications page for detailed instructions, including application form, checklist, and fees.
If you have confirmed that a permit is required, the application form, checklist, assessment process, and fees can be found on the Requirements for building applications page.
If your business will provide food to guests, learn how to register as a Food business.
Also, if guests are allowed to use an ‘aquatic facility’ such as a swimming pool or spa, the water body also requires approval as an aquatic facility. Exemptions may apply for approval of some aquatic facilities. To learn more, visit the Department of Health website.
More information and contact
For more information about approval of short-term accommodation businesses, please contact the City on 9400 4000 or info@joondalup.wa.gov.au.