Do I Need Council Approval for a Retaining Wall in Perth?

You have a sloping area in your Perth property, plan to build a retaining wall and have one question before digging up any soil: Do I need council approvals for retaining wall construction in Perth? This is not a simple yes/no question. Several factors, including your wall’s height, impact on adjoining land, planning control and your specific local council, will determine your need for permission.

According to Building Regulations 2012 (WA), it is not required to have a building permit for a retaining wall measuring 500mm or less in Western Australia, provided that all conditions for the exemption are met. A retaining wall building permit is generally required when the wall exceeds the 500mm exemption threshold. A planning approval might still be needed even when a building permit is exempt. 

This guide covers the approval rules, the three checks that determine what you need, the application process, likely costs and what can happen if you build without approval.

Perth’s Retaining Wall Approval Rule at a Glance

The 500 mm threshold is the main starting point for retaining wall council approvals, but it is not the only factor. Planning and site conditions must also be checked before work begins.

Wall situation	Approval position
Up to 500mm and meeting exemption conditions	Building permit generally not required
Over 500mm	Building permit generally required
Proposal that does not meet local planning rules	Planning approval may be required
Work affecting adjoining land	Additional requirements may apply
Tiered retaining wall	Check the overall arrangement and council requirements
Wall supporting a driveway, structure or other load	Engineering and additional requirements may apply

 

Step-by-Step Council Approval Application Process

Wondering how to apply for council approvals for a retaining wall? The safest approach is to check the planning and building requirements before any excavation starts. The usual process is:

1. Check your local council’s planning rules: Confirm whether your retaining wall, filling or excavation requires Development Approval.
2. Check the exemption for building permits for retaining walls in Perth: Determine whether the wall is 500mm or less and meets the exemption conditions under the Building Regulations 2012.
3. Prepare plans and technical information: Depending on the project, prepare site plans, levels, construction details, drainage information and any required engineering documents.
4. Submit the correct application: Lodge a BA1 certified or BA2 uncertified building permit application with your local council or permit authority using its nominated online, email or in-person lodgement process. Check your council’s website for the current requirements. If the retaining wall will encroach on or may adversely affect adjoining land, a BA20 building permit retaining wall consent form may also be required. 
5. Wait for approval before construction: Do not begin work requiring retaining wall permits until the relevant approval has been issued.
6. Complete any required close-out documentation: Submit completion documents or other required records once the retaining wall is constructed.

The 3 Checks That Actually Determine If You Need Approval

Height is important, but Perth homeowners should check three things together: the wall’s height, its location and any additional load it carries.

Check 1: How High Is the Wall?

Height is the first check because of the retaining wall 500mm rule. The permitted retaining wall height without permits can be up to 500mm when all exemption conditions are satisfied. Once the retained height exceeds 500mm, a building permit is generally required.

Keep these points in mind:

Retained height	General position
Up to 500mm	May be exempt from a building permit if exemption conditions are met
Over 500mm	Building permit generally required
Tiered walls	Check the overall retaining arrangement, not just one section

 

A retaining wall over 1m requires closer attention to its structural design, engineering requirements and the conditions of the site. The approval requirements should be confirmed with your local council rather than assuming that height alone determines whether an engineer or specific certification is required. 

AS 4678:2002 is the Australian Standard covering the design of earth-retaining structures and may be relevant to the structural design of a permitted wall.

Practical tip: Do not measure only the visible wall face. On a sloping block, measure the actual difference in ground levels being retained, including the finished levels.

Check 2: How Close Is It to a Boundary or Street?

The retaining wall boundary rules in Perth depend on the wall’s location, site levels and the requirements of your local council. A retaining wall’s location can trigger planning requirements even when its height does not require a building permit. Boundary setbacks, site levels, filling and the potential impact on adjoining land all need to be considered.

Pay particular attention when:

• The wall is on or close to a side or rear boundary.
• Excavation or filling could affect a neighbour’s land.
• The wall is within a street setback area.
• The proposed finished ground level changes significantly.
• Drainage could be directed onto adjoining property.

There is no single Perth-wide rule that every wall within 1m or 1.5m of a boundary automatically needs a building permit. Requirements can depend on the local council and the circumstances of the work.

Practical tip: Check your council’s planning requirements before assuming the 500mm exemption applies simply because the wall is low.

Planning a wall along your property boundary? Speak to trustworthy boundary wall builders for help with the construction and requirements of your project. 

Check 3: Is It Carrying Any Extra Load?

A retaining wall is more complicated when it has to support a surcharge, meaning an additional load above or near the retained soil. This can affect the wall’s structural design even when the wall itself is relatively low.

Common surcharge sources include:

Above or near the wall	Why it matters
Driveway or parking area	Vehicle loads add pressure
Shed or building	Structural loads may transfer into retained soil
Swimming pool	Significant additional load
Fence	Wind and structural loads can affect the wall
Paving or other heavy areas	Adds weight close to the retained ground

 

One important question to ask here: Do I need an engineer for a retaining wall? The answer depends on your specific requirements.

Structural requirements for brick retaining walls can vary depending on their height, construction method and the loads they must withstand. A 400mm wall retaining a garden bed is therefore not necessarily the same engineering problem as a 400mm wall supporting a driveway.

Practical tip: Tell your builder or engineer what will sit above and around the wall before the design is finalised. This allows the surcharge to be considered rather than discovered later.

Does Every Perth Council Apply the Same Rules?

No. The Building Regulations 2012 provide the statewide building framework for the basic retaining wall rules in Perth. But planning requirements can differ between Perth local governments.

For example, the City of Joondalup says retaining walls and site works generally require Development Approval unless they meet its R-Code and local planning requirements. It also specifies that where retaining or fill exceeds 0.5m within 7.5m of a side or rear boundary, privacy screening requirements can apply.

The Shire of Mundaring, meanwhile, states that retaining walls over 500mm require a Building Permit and planning approval before the building permit application is submitted. It also requires structural certification for permitted retaining walls.

This is why Perth homeowners should check their specific local government area, rather than assuming one council’s retaining wall requirements apply across Perth.

Before building, ask your council:

• Does the proposal need Development Approval?
• Does the wall qualify for the 500mm building permit exemption?
• Are there local setbacks or site-level requirements?
• Is engineering documentation required?
• Do filling or excavation trigger additional approvals?

What Happens If You Build a Retaining Wall Without Approval?

If you begin work without the required permits for retaining walls in Perth projects, you may face compliance action and additional costs. This can mean paying for additional engineering, inspections or certification, and in some cases modifying or removing the wall.

The specific repercussions will vary according to the local council. Here are two key examples:

• City of Bayswater: Unauthorised retaining walls can require a Certificate of Building Compliance and supporting documentation, with additional charges for work started without approval. 
• City of Rockingham: Where changes in ground level affect adjoining land, a retaining wall may be required, with structural engineering certification needed in certain circumstances. 

Certain building offences can also attract fines of:

• Up to $50,000 for a first offence.
• Up to $75,000 for a second offence.
• Up to $100,000 and imprisonment for up to 12 months for a third or subsequent offence.

Avoid costly remedial work by hiring experienced Perth retaining wall builders who can help ensure your wall is constructed correctly from the start. 

How Much Does Retaining Wall Council Approval Cost in Perth?

There is no single Perth-wide approval fee for a retaining wall. The council approval retaining wall cost in Perth depends on the local regulations, application type and any engineering or certification required. 

Current WA statutory charges include a minimum building permit application fee of $121, while the Building Services Levy is $61.65 for work valued at $45,000 or less. 

A practical budget should also include the following:

Component	Cost
Council Permit Fees	$80 – $280 (Varies based on the local council)
Structural Engineering	$500 – $1,500
Surveyor Fees (when required)	$400 – $1,200
Total Regulatory Cost	$550 – $1,800+

 

Need help planning the construction budget for your project? Contact expert Perth bricklayers to discuss your requirements and get a tailored quote. 

Final Word

Before building a retaining wall in Perth, check three things: height, location and load. The 500mm exemption is important, but it should not be treated as the only approval test. Your local council’s planning requirements also need to be checked before construction begins. Checking retaining wall approvals before construction can help prevent costly compliance problems later.

Planning a retaining wall for your Perth property? Experienced retaining wall contractors from our team at BODA Bricklaying Perth can help coordinate the design, engineering and approval requirements for your project. Get in touch for an obligation-free chat about your project.

Disclaimer: All costs mentioned are estimates based on published statutory fees and selected Perth-area council information. Actual costs can vary by council, project value, site conditions, engineering requirements and approval pathway. Always confirm current requirements and fees with your local council before commencing work.