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.
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.
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.
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.
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 |
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]
Ask our advice about your Building or Occupancy Permit
Did you know we offer free pre-lodgement meetings?
Pre-lodgement meetings are a quick and easy way to find out whether you need a Building or Occupancy Permit
before you apply. Our advice can help save you time in the application phase, so you get it right from the start.
No appointment necessary, just come into our Administration Office at 9 Coleville Crescent, Spearwood, or call us on 9411 3444 during business hours, 8.30am - 4.30pm, Monday to Friday.