Planning and registration changes
The State Government is progressing legislation to improve regulation around the Short-Term Rental Accommodation (STRA) sector.
The below information outlines the changes that will take effect in 2024 with the introduction of new legislation and a registration requirement for STRA properties.
The changes will provide certainty and consistency across the sector and clarity on when planning (development) approval is required to operate a STRA property.
What do the changes mean for STRA operators?
Broadly speaking, the changes will ensure a more consistent set of rules for STRA properties across Western Australia, while supporting the role of STRA in regional areas.
Up until now, local governments have set their own requirements on whether approvals are required to establish STRA, as well as enforcement matters.
The proposed changes to planning regulations will provide greater consistency across the State in relation to what approvals are needed (if any) for STRA proposals, as well as how these uses are defined in local (town) planning schemes.
Importantly, the changes do not introduce a cap on the number of nights a property can be leased on the short-term market.
Along with a new registration scheme, the changes will provide important data for both local and State government to inform strategic planning for housing, development and tourism opportunities.
STRA Register
The STRA Register collects information on the short-term rental accommodation sector to assist the State Government in making more informed policy and regulatory decisions.
The register is now live, with all STRA required to be registered by 1 January 2025.
You must register your STRA property regardless of whether:
- guests stay in your property with you (hosted) or stay by themselves (un-hosted).
- the property requires development approval.
- the property is currently exempt from planning approval (via a development application)
What do the changes mean for tourism and STRA?
A new planning policy, Position Statement: Planning for Tourism and Short-Term Rental Accommodation and associated guidelines provide guidance on how to better manage the land use impacts of tourism and STRA activities — particularly in residential areas.
A property can be operated as a short-term rental year-round, provided it has obtained the required planning approvals and is registered.
Key changes to Western Australia’s planning framework include:
- state-wide planning exemptions for hosted STRA;
- new planning exemptions for un-hosted STRA within the Perth metropolitan area;
- regional local governments (including Peel) to implement planning rules to suit the needs of their communities; and
- new and revised definitions to be introduced into all local government planning schemes which deal with STRA and tourism land uses
To implement the changes, current planning regulations will need to be updated and local planning schemes amended. These changes will be implemented in conjunction with a new state-wide registration scheme for STRA.
New planning policy and updates to regulations
The new planning policy aims to provide direction on how to better manage the land use impacts of tourism and STRA activities - particularly in residential areas.
Currently, planning regulations are being updates to include new land use definitions and exemptions for STRA. Following this, local planning schemes will be amended to reflect these changes. These updates will be implemented in conjunction with the state-wide STRA Register.
New definitions
New and amended tourism-related definitions will be included in the updated Planning and Development (Local Planning Schemes) Regulations 2015. These will help ensure consistency throughout Western Australia in relation to how STRA is defined within planning laws, regulations and other types of documents.
STRA properties are either hosted - where the owner or permanent resident (host) lives onsite, or un-hosted - where the owner or permanent resident does not live on the property and guests have exclusive use of an entire house, unit or apartment.
Position statement and guidelines
For more information about the Western Australian Planning Commission's Position Statement and Guidelines, visit Short-Term Rental Accommodation.
STRA planning and registration changes fact sheet and infographic
The Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage and Consumer Protection's Short-Term Rental Accommodation planning and registration changes fact sheet and infographic provides more information about the proposed planning changes and STRA Register.
Contact
If you have any questions about the STRA planning requirements, you can contact the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage on (08) 6551 8002, or email: [email protected].
Find out more information about Short Term Rental Accommodation (STRA) Initiatives.