RETAINING WALLS
GENERAL:
Retaining walls greater than 500mm in height
requires a Building Permit and Planning
Approval, prior to construction.
ARE THERE ANY EXEMPTIONS FROM
OBTAINING A BUILDING PERMIT?
Retaining walls less than 500mm do not require
a Building Permit under the Building
Regulations 2012. However, conditions apply.

The wall must be constructed out of
durable materials such as concrete,
masonry or limestone. (not timber)

Must not support surcharge loads or
vehicles.
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A practicing structural engineer must
certify the design of the retaining wall.
HOW DO I GET A BUILDING PERMIT?
An application for a Building Permit
Uncertified (Form BA2) is to be completed
and submitted at the Shire of Mundaring
Administration Centre, together with the
following items:

2 sets of plans and engineering details;

All relevant fees and levies.
WATER CORPORATION APPROVAL
Is required prior to the issue of the Building
Permit if in the vicinity of sewerage or water
mains. Contact Watercorporation.com.au
NOTE – Additional or specific information may be
required. Refer to the Retaining Wall check sheet
attached.
WHAT IF I HAVE ALREADY BUILT
WITHOUT A BUILDING PERMIT?
If a building is constructed without a Building
Permit, the Permit Authority may issue a
Building Approval Certificate. The Shire of
Mundaring has produced an information
brochure entitled “Unauthorised
Buildings/Structures” which may assist you
with this issue.
WHAT ARE THE CONSEQUENCES FOR
NOT OBTAINING A BUILDING PERMIT?
The Permit Authority may require the removal
of an illegal building. An appeal against this
requirement may be made to the State
Administrative Tribunal (SAT). The Permit
Authority may also choose to prosecute the
owner and / or the builder for failing to obtain
a Building Permit.
CERTIFICATE OF DESIGN COMPLIANCE
FORM BA3
The Building Surveyor Practitioners at the
Mundaring Shire will issue a Certificate of
Design Compliance with the Building Permit.
This certificate ensures that the Retaining
Wall complies with relevant Australian
Standards and Building Code of Australia.
DISCLAIMER
This information sheet is correct as at March 2017 and may be
subject to alteration without notice.
INFORMATION REQUIRED FOR A BUILDING PERMIT APPLICATION
RETAINING WALLS
PLEASE
TICK
FORMS
REQUIREMENTS

Building Permit Application - Uncertified Form BA2. Completed and signed by
builder/owner builder/s. See information sheet or on the Building Commission
website “Lodging a Uncertified Building Permit Application”


Construction Training Fund Levy (If value of construction exceeds $20,000)

BA 20 Form “Notice and Request for Consent to work affecting other land” is
required if the “notifiable event” may affect adjoining land. A guide to understanding
when a Notice and Request for Consent is required can be viewed and downloaded
on the Building Commission website.
Owner Builders must lodge a Statutory Declaration (If value of construction exceeds
$20,000 and is in conjunction with earthworks for a new dwelling or addition.) The
Statutory Declaration can be downloaded from the Builders Services Board website
address of www.buildingcommission.wa.gov.au or ph: 1300 489 099. $148.75 fee.
FEES PAYABLE
Building Permit Application - Uncertified Fee (inclusive of GST)

Value of Construction including labour and materials (GST Incl.) $_________
x 0.32% = $_________ (Min. fee $96.00)

Construction Training Fund Levy
Value of Construction (GST Incl.) $__________ x 0.2% = $_________

Building Services Levy.
$45,000 or less minimum fee $61.65
$45,000 and over 0.137% of the estimated value of the work.

Amended Plan assessment fee $100 (GST exempt). Amended plans are required to
be certified by the Shire’s Building Services.
PLANS
General note: Two (2) complete sets of plans and engineering design details must be submitted with
your application. All plans and details must be legible, drawn in ink to scale (not in pencil) and include
the Lot address and owner details.

Site Plan (minimum scale 1:200)
Clearly indicate all property boundaries, boundary dimensions, existing buildings
and building envelope (for Rural Residential and Rural Small Holdings Zones). The
setback requirements for General Agriculture Zones are 20 metres from any
boundary.

A permanent datum point, contours, spot levels and feature survey of the property
(may be required to be carried out by a Licenced Land Surveyor)


Position of Effluent Disposal system (Unsewered Areas only)

Height, depth and extent of proposed earthworks
Clearly indicate the distance from the existing buildings and property boundaries to
the proposed building
PLEASE
TICK
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REQUIREMENTS
Existing Sewer and Storm water drains and/or easements
Locations and heights of stabilised embankments e.g. retaining wall(s)
North point
Elevations (scale 1:100)
Existing ground level and proposed finished floor and ground levels
Cross Sectional View (scale 1:100)
Showing existing and proposed finished ground levels
Footing dimensions
Wall thickness
Profile and structural components
Provision for drainage
SPECIFICATIONS
General note: Two (2) complete specifications must be submitted with your application.

Detailed specification and method of construction.
STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS DETAILS
General note: Your plans, details and specification must be certified by a Practicing Structural
Engineer.
Site Report
Site / soil classification as per the Building Code of Australia and Australian

Standards
Structural engineers signed drawings in ink (including cross-section)

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Confirmation of load bearing capacity (fences, vehicles etc) and any restrictions
Details of any surcharge or superimposed loads
Specifications for earthworks, foundations, drainage and materials to be used
PLANNING APPROVAL IS REQUIRED WHEN THE RETAINING WALLS ARE:



Greater than 500mm in height and located outside the development setbacks
stipulated in Local Planning Scheme No.4. (LPS4).
Located on a primary street boundary (all zones)
On a property which is used for commercial purposes.
EASEMENTS AND RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS

It is recommended you check the Certificate of Title to ascertain whether the
property has any easements or restrictive covenants before submitting your Building
Permit application.
PLEASE NOTE: This document is intended as a guide only to assist in your application.