Rainwater tank
A rainwater tank is a tank designed to collect and store rainwater run-off. You may need to apply for development approval and/or a building permit to have a rainwater tank installed at your property in the City of Belmont.
When is development approval required?
You may need to apply for development approval if your proposed rainwater tank:
- Does not comply with the ‘Deemed-to-Comply’ provisions of the Residential Design Codes of Western Australia (Refer to clause 5.4.4);
- Is included in a Heritage List refer Schedule 2, Part 3, cl.8 of the Planning and Development (Local Planning Schemes) Regulations 2015
- Is on a lot with an area less than 260sqm;
- Is located on a lot in a Special Precinct Development;
- Is located on a lot which is within, or joins, the Swan Canning Development Control Area (DCA), or in the opinion of Council is likely to impact the quality of waters in the DCA (generally properties next to the Swan River).
How to apply for development approval
To apply for development approval, you will need to:
What is the development approval process?
How do I know what has been approved for my property?
You can lodge your application:
- Online using the City’s Planning and Building Online Application portal;
- In person at the City of Belmont, 215 Wright Street, Cloverdale;
- By mail to City of Belmont, Locked Bag 379, Cloverdale WA 6985.
Visit the Planning and Building Online Application portal
When is a building permit required?
You will need to apply for a building permit for if your rainwater tank will have a capacity of more than 5,000 litres.
Although you may not need a building permit for your rainwater tank, remember to consider if the surcharge loading of the water tank could impact any existing adjoining structures.
If you need apply for both a building permit (uncertified or certified) and development approval, you will need the development approval first.
How to apply for a building permit
To apply for a building permit, you will need to:
- Complete and submit a Form BA1 Application for a Building Permit – Certified* or Form BA2 Application for a Building Permit – Uncertified;
- Submit a Form BA3 Certificate of Design Compliance from a WA registered building surveying contractor, if you are applying for a certified building permit (Form BA1);
- Provide supporting documentation, including:
- A copy of receipt of payment from the Construction Training Fund for the Construction Training Industry Fund levy if the estimated value of the works exceeds $20,000;
- A copy of your site plan (minimum scale 1:200) showing the location of all existing and proposed structures, proposed setbacks, existing and proposed finished ground levels, easements, etc.;
- Manufacturer’s structural details of the proposed rainwater tank;
- Pay the application fee for an uncertified application and Building Services Levy.
Due to the impacts of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) if you are making an application for a Building Permit - Certified during the 2020-2021 financial year, the City is waiving this application fee, but the Building Services Levy is still applicable.
You can lodge your application:
- Online using the City’s Planning and Building Online Application portal;
- In person at the City of Belmont, 215 Wright Street, Cloverdale;
- By mail to City of Belmont, Locked Bag 379, Cloverdale WA 6985.
Visit the Planning and Building Online Application portal
Useful links
To learn more about the regulations which apply to rainwater tanks, you might like to explore these links.
For more information, please email
building@belmont.wa.gov.au or phone the City’s Building Services team on 9477 7425.