Unhosted Short-Term Rental Accommodation (formally Holiday Home) 

Rent out my whole dwelling, unit or apartment to holiday makers

Unhosted Short-Term Rental Accommodation (STRA) is where guests have the exclusive use of an entire Dwelling. Unhosted STRA is formerly known as a Holiday Home, which is defined under the City of Busselton Local Planning Scheme No. 21 as follows:

“Holiday Home (Single House)” means a single house (excluding ancillary accommodation), which may also be used for short stay accommodation for hire or reward for no more than 12 people (but does not include a bed and breakfast, chalet, guesthouse, rural tourist accommodation or tourist accommodation).

“Holiday Home (Multiple/Grouped Dwelling)” means a grouped dwelling or multiple dwelling, which may also be used for short stay accommodation for hire or reward for no more than six people (but does not include a bed and breakfast, chalet, guesthouse, rural tourist accommodation or tourist accommodation).

To operate an Unhosted STRA, the following approvals will be required via a two-step process.

1. Obtain development (planning) approval from the City - A development (planning) approval will be required to change the use of the Dwelling to Unhosted Short-Term Rental Accommodation (formerly Holiday Home).

2. Register the STRA premises with Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety - Register the property on the Short-Term Rental Accommodation Register here

Do I need development approval?

Yes. Under the City of Busselton Local Planning Scheme No. 21, an application for development (planning) approval is required if you wish to use your property as an Unhosted STRA (Holiday Home).

What do I need to consider?

Water

Connected to reticulated water or serviced by a minimum 135,000 litre potable water tank.

Waste

Currently serviced by the City’s kerbside waste collection or where kerbside collection is not available, alternate waste management will be considered.

Sewerage

Connected to reticulated sewerage or adequate on-site effluent disposal system.             

Bushfire 

As a result of the new State Planning Policy 3.7: Bushfire and Planning for Bushfire Guidelines (Guidelines) that came into effect on 18 November 2024 Unhosted STRA are no longer required to submit a Bushfire Management Plan however are encouraged to comply with the Guidelines including, but not limited to, the preparation of a Bushfire Emergency Plan which should be prepared to detail how visitors are to respond in the event of a bushfire emergency.

A template Bushfire Emergency Plan is available on the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage website. 

Template Bushfire Emergency Plan  

For more information view the Holiday Homes Local Planning Policy.                  

How many guests can I accommodate?

What do I need to include in my application?

Please refer to the Holiday Home Checklist document below.

Holiday Home Application Checklist

What will a development application cost?

• Development Application Fee: $295 (2024/25 financial year)
• Advertising/Referral Fee: $138
• Retrospective Development Application Fee: Any Unhosted Short-Term Rental Accommodation (Holiday Home) which has commenced operating prior to obtaining development approval will incur an additional retrospective fee - Development Application Fee + twice that amount as penalty.

Note: these costs are relevant City fees only. Other costs may apply.

How can I submit my application?

Email   city@busselton.wa.gov.au

In Person   City of Busselton Administration Building, 2 Southern Drive, Busselton WA 6280

By Post   City of Busselton Locked bag 1, Busselton WA 6280

What happens once I have submitted my application?

• A Planning Administration Officer will undertake a preliminary review of the submitted development application to determine if all relevant documentation is received. The application will be “deemed complete” or “deemed incomplete” and an acknowledgement email forwarded to the applicant accordingly.
  • “Deemed Complete” Request for Payment; or
  • “Deemed Incomplete” Request for Additional Information
• Planning Officer will undertake an initial assessment, and action advertising/referrals to surrounding landowners and/or external agencies (as applicable).
• Once the period for advertising/referrals has closed, the Planning Officer will complete officer assessment, and make a determination.
• If supported, a development (planning) approval, subject to condition(s) will be granted. Generally, the development application process takes approximately 60 to 90 days. Note however, the City may request additional information during the assessment process may extend the assessment timeframes.

I have been granted development approval - what's next?

• Read and understand the conditions(s) of the development (planning) approval. 

• • Read the decision notice and ensure any ‘Prior to Commencement’ conditions have been completed/satisfied.
  • It is important to note that any Prior to Commencement Conditions must be satisfied prior to the commencement of the approved use.
  • Should you have any questions in relation to the development approval, please contact Planning Services directly on 9781 1731.
• Register the STRA premises with the Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety.
  • Register the property on the Short-Term Rental Accommodation Register here. 

Who can I contact if I need more information?

Planning Services

Phone   08 9781 1731

Email   city@busselton.wa.gov.au