Bin collection changes: Check what bins to put out, and what days to put them out by visiting Near Me.
On This Page
Short-Term Rental Accommodation (commonly referred to as STRA) is the term used to describe holiday homes, units or apartments available for short-term stays of less than three (3) months.
There are three categories of STRA:
- Hosted Short-Term Rental Accommodation: Premises where the host ordinarily resides and remains on the property during the guests' short-term stay.
- Unhosted Short-Term Rental Accommodation: Premises where guests have exclusive use of the entire dwelling (house, unit or apartment) and the host does not reside on-site during the stay.
- Tourist and Visitor Accommodation: A building or group of buildings forming a complex that is wholly managed by one person or entity and used to provide short stay accommodation on a commercial basis.
All premises used to provide Hosted or Unhosted STRA must be registered with the Western Australian State Government. Further information and registration details are available via the Short-Term Rental Accommodation Register website.
Approval process
Once you have selected a premises, you should confirm the site's zoning using the City's Online Maps. Zoning information can be access through the Planning and Development Module.
After locating the property, select 'TPS2 Zoning' from the column on the right-hand side of the screen to identify the applicable zone.
STRA may be considered within the following zones:
- Residential
- Centre
- Commercial
- Rural
If the premises you have chosen is not in one of the zones above, do not proceed any further.
In accordance with the Planning and Development (Local Planning Schemes) Regulations 2015, the following STRA types are exempt from the requirement to obtain Development Approval:
- Hosted STRA; and
- Unhosted STRA that is used for 90 nights or less (non-consecutive) within a 12-month period.
A 90-night exemption for Unhosted STRA is intended to allow property owners who wish to temporarily make their primary place of residence (for example, while on holidays) available for use/rent/hire to others without requiring Development Approval.
The City must be notified within seven (7) days of the Hosted STRA or Unhosted STRA (90-night exemption) commencing operations.
To confirm the exemption, please complete the exemption notification form below and submit to customer@rockingham.wa.gov.au.
Note: All premises used to provide STRA (Hosted or Unhosted) must be registered with the Western Australian State Government prior to commencing operations.
Development Approval is required for Unhosted STRA if the premises are intended to be used for more than 90 nights (non-consecutive) within a 12-month period. Development Approval is mandatory for any proposal involving Tourist and Visitor Accommodation.
To apply for Development Approval, please complete the relevant application forms and checklists, and lodge your application through the City’s online portal Rock Port. Please note that as part of the Development Approval process, the proposal will be publicly advertised and open for submissions.
The Building Regulations 2012 require an owner to ensure that they have compliant smoke alarms installed prior to the sale, leasing or hiring of their dwelling. Smoke alarms needs to be hardwired (by a licenced electrician), be less than 10 years old and be interconnected. In some circumstances you may be able to have battery-powered smoke alarms and it is recommended that you contact the City's Building Services to discuss this further on 9528 0333.
If your dwelling is being used to provide STRA, additional requirements may apply for smoke alarms as well as a requirement to install emergency lighting to assist with evacuation.
For further information please contact Building Services or submit your small business enquiry here.
An application to Health Services is required where STRA is offered and food is provided as part of this service.
Hosted STRA
Hosted STRA must comply with the provisions of the Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1911 and the Food Act 2008, which includes the following requirements:
- separate shower, toilet and hand basin to be provided where practical;
- room sizes to be adequate – generally require a space of 14m3 per person, which does not include space occupied by furniture;
- hygiene standard of premises to be acceptable before approval given;
- an adequate number of receptacles to be available for the waste generated;
- food preparation areas to comply with the City's “Guidelines for Preparing Food for Sale in Residential Premises for Bed and Breakfast”;
- Food Act 2008 - Application for a Registration / Notification of a Food Business Form to be completed.
Please note:
- If there is a pool or spa on the property, approval from the Chief Health Officer at the Department of Health (WA) is required under the Health (Aquatic Facilities) Regulations 2007 before guests are able to utilise these facilities. Please refer to the Department of Health website.
- If the dwelling is serviced by an onsite wastewater disposal system (e.g. septic tanks), upgrading to current standards may be required.
Building Services requirements
Hosted STRA will also need to ensure compliance with Building Regulations and the following is required:
- A smoke alarm and lighting system that complies with clause 3.7.2.4 and 3.7.2.5, Volume 2 of the Building Code of Australia 2005 to be installed.
- Certificate of Electrical Compliance required to be completed by licensed electrician in regards to the above works.
- Fire extinguishers and fire blankets shall be provided to the satisfaction of the Manager Health and Building Services.
Prior to commencing operation, an inspection will need to be undertaken to ensure the premises meets the required standards (if food is being provided to guests).
When you are ready to commence operations, please contact Health Services on 9528 0333 or via email to customer@rockingham.wa.gov.au to arrange for this inspection – please allow 48 hours for the inspection to be scheduled.
Ongoing routine inspections will be conducted once the business is operational to ensure that suitable standards are maintained.
Print this page